Author: Steve

Sunday, Dec. 1st.

1-3pm

About 30 Adults and 20 kids- will know more once we get closer with RSVP’s.

Land O’ Lakes, FL. 34638 near HWY 54 and the Veterans.

Contact:
Laura Holland
(813) 917-5656
marquislaura@yahoo.com

How would you like the 250 page hard copy version of my Carts of Cash book for $15.49?

That’s what our Hot Dog Profits Premium members pay for a printed and bound edition of the #1 Hot Dog Cart Start Up Guide.

How much does an HDP Premium Membership cost? Right now it’s free.

Want the 5 DVD set of E-Z Built Hot Dog Cart construction videos plus the 14 page paper plans package sent to your door for $19.88? You can get it with your free membership to HDP Premium.

You also get free instant access to the online edition of Carts of Cash, free instant access to the E-Z Built Hot Dog Cart construction videos and plans, plus free use of our Hot Dog Cash Tracker bookkeeping software.

How do you become a Premium Member for free? Just click this link:
http://HotDogProfitsPremium.com/free

Have a safe and happy Halloween, slinger!

-Steve

Cold weather is coming. Make sure your hot dog cart is ready for it!

Hot food sells pretty well in the spring and fall. It slows down a bit in the “dog days” of August.

But when winter sets in hot dogs sell like crazy. There’s nothing like hot food on a cold day!

One half of the secret to selling hot dogs in the winter time is to keep your body warm. Especially your feet.

Be sure to dress for the weather in removable layers and get the best boots you can afford.

The other half of the secret is making sure your hot dog cart is prepped to perform at it’s best when the temperature dips.

Here are two articles that I always re-publish this time of year. Be sure to read both of them. Your cart (and your wallet) will thank you.

Video: Hot Dog Cart Winterizing

Video – Hot Dog Cart Winterizing

Article: Winterizing A Hot Dog Cart

Hot Dog Cart Winterizing

Many of you are putting your carts up for the winter but many more of you sell all year ’round. What do you do to get ready for winter? Let me know in the comments.

Thanks!

-Steve

Fall and winter are some of the best times to sell hot dogs from a cart. Hot food simply sells better in December than it does in August.

You can easily add items like hot chocolate, coffee, and cider for another profit center.

Then again, one of the big advantages of running a hot dog cart is the ability to make a year’s worth of money in seven or eight months, then take the rest of the year off. What do you think of that doctors and lawyers? 😉

I’m sure many of you hot dog cart operators in northern climes are thinking about wrapping it up for the year. Most of you in the south probably go all year ’round. Here in the middle states, it’s kind of hit or miss. I’ll sling dogs if it’s particularly nice out, even in January – but for the most part I use the winter to gear up for spring. In other words…

If you are thinking about getting into the hot dog biz, now is the time to get started. It can take longer than anticipated to find a commissary, line up locations to sling at, buy or build a hot dog cart, etc.

I can show you how to do all that (and a lot more that you haven’t even thought about yet) but if you wait until spring to get started, I guarantee you will miss the a good chunk of next season. By starting now, you will avoid the last minute run around panic and mega-stress that plagues those who wait until spring to start working on their businesses.

Don’t be that guy (or girl)!

Now here is a gal who does it right. My long time friend, Robin D. of Lakeside Lunch in CT. She just closed up and sent me a letter that describes why we all got into this business in the first place. Enjoy the read, and thanks Robin!

*******************************

Hi Steve,

Just closed for the season.  This was my best year yet!

This is the first year I’ve taken credit cards, the first year I put up a Thank you Card for my customers, the first year I’ve done a customer appreciation free lunch drawing.  And the first year my customers all wished me a great “time off” and couldn’t wait to see me in the spring.

It was a very pleasant day here with sparkling autumn weather, hundreds of bicyclers, dozens of hikers, leaf peepers and tourists. 

The kind of day I dreamed of when I got the idea to sling dogs.

I caught them all this year.  Contractors, tourists, cyclists, hikers, fishermen, motorcyclers, boaters and anyone else you can think of who might be doing something in the great outdoors of Litchfield county, CT. 

Word has spread and many have told me they either found my website, spotted my umbrellas in a desperate moment of hunger or heard from word of mouth that I had great food and a very friendly atmosphere.  People have told me they “feel safe” when I’m here. 

They know we’ll watch their cars, hold their keys if they like and send help out if they seem to be gone too long.  We give them rides if they’re too tired to finish their walk and will give them a drink if they need it with or without money changing hands.

As an end of season gift, one guy gave me a $10 bill for one hot dog!  One contractor begged me to stay longer into the season (but I need a LITTLE time for myself)

In summary, it was my best year yet.  I can’t wait till next year!

Robin/Lakeside Lunch

Hot Dog Cart Gig

The Housing and Opportunity Foundation of Kern is hosting an event November 1st 2013 at the Padre Hotel. It is a New York New York theme to benefit low income families. We need a Hot dog cart for the event.

Please email or call Victoria with prices:
RI@kernha.org
(661) 335-0528 ext 21
Bakersfield CA

Hey Slinger (or soon-to-be slinger),

What frustrates you the most about the dog biz? What’s keeping you from getting started? Or if you are already slinging, what keeps you from growing as fast as you would like to?

What is the biggest challenge you face as a hot dog vendor? What stands in your way?

What do you need that you can’t seem to find? It could be anything – food, carts, equipment, services, software, marketing systems, advertising opportunities…

Anything at all. What product, service, or solution do you wish existed?

In other words, what do YOU need? Let me know in the comments. I will be keeping all responses private on this one.

-Steve

I’m getting one – if they sell enough to print it.

They are only printing a certain number of these. Ends Thursday Oct 17.

Click here to check it out.

My wife knew a kid in high school named Roy. Roy had a brother. His name was Roy. In fact, Roy had four brothers all named…Roy. True story.

Did you know I have a brother in Texas? His name is Steve too. We are actually brothers from another mother bound together by our love of Chicago style hot dogs.

I remember getting a phone call from Stevie a few years ago. He had found my website and wanted to ask me if a person could really make money selling hot dogs.

I said yes, but like any other business he would only get out of it what he put into it. I also told him I would help him in any way I could. (That goes for you too, dear reader.)

I distinctly recall the enthusiasm in his voice. I could tell he had the “hustle” that every born entrepreneur possesses, and that he would do very well.

Fast forward to today – Steve now runs “Stevie’s Red Hot Weenies” in Belton, Texas from a gorgeous metal covered E-Z Built Hot Dog Cart that he built in his yard. And dig this…

Stevie recently quit his J.O.B. to sell hot dogs full time. I’m so proud of you bro!!!

Last week I wrote an article about signature hot dogs and photo menus. Mi hermano Stevie sent me these pictures of the beautiful hot dogs he prepares. I thought you would like to see them. (see the photo gallery below).

Now it’s your turn – let’s see what you can do. I want to see your best, most creative hot dogs. I don’t care if you made them on a cart or in your kitchen. What is important is that you show your creativity.

Email pictures of the most beautiful hot dogs you ever made to steve@HotDogProfits.com and I’ll post them right here.

Can’t wait to see ’em, and as always let me know how I can help you!

– “Brother” Steve Schaible

Reader photos – submit yours today! email to steve@HotDogProfits.com
(click the image for a larger version)

My best selling combo. Sweet fine diced slaw mustard and chilli .a taste of Virginia on the Jersey shore. Ronny

Steve here is my Bacon wrapped guacamole dog, very popular, its something I brought from Cali to Arkansas where I relocated. Lou

Dear Steve, This is one of our favorites. BBQ slaw doggie. All beef dog…mustard BBQ sauce, spicy, creamy Cole slaw. Raw onion. Celery salt! Awesome! Love, the wiener girls Susan and Rena

Hey Steve here are two picks of my gourmet dogs I sell. They are 1/4lb black angus dogs. This is my ” cha cha cha dog with a sweet and spicy cabbage relish and my bourbq sauce…

The second one is my Carolina Slaw dog. Same 1/4lb with green apple slaw and a Carolina mustard bbq sauce. Let me know what you think.Eric “Big E” Smith I think they both look awesome Big E!!! -Steve

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Hi Steve,

I finally got into the business! I’m very excited to get started.

I am going to negotiate a great location this weekend with a property owner. This spot has everything I could want, busy road, big parking lot, highly visible, and there is no other food establishment nearby.

This is an empty lot with no other businesses. Now, after reading your book I’m not quite sure how to respond if the property owner asks what would be in it for him if he lets me use the land. I can’t offer more traffic, or advertising in lieu of paying rent. If he does ask me, my plan is to ask him how much he was thinking to see where he is at.

Should I counter offer with a percentage of my total monthly sales? If so how much? Or a flat monthly rate? If so how much? Or do you have any other ideas for this situation?

I appreciate your feedback. Thank you for the motivation to get my business up and running!

Brian Galella

****************************

Hi Brian,

STOP!!! Don’t go offering to pay rent just yet.

Odds are that the property owner is a local business man who owns more than just the lot you want to set up on. Perhaps he owns one or more businesses in town that could use your promotional services.

If he doesn’t own any other businesses, ask if he is involved with any civic, charity, or youth activities. Offer to host a free hot dog day or fundraising event for his organization a couple times a year. It will make him look good in the eyes of the organization – and that carries a lot of weight.

In the unlikely event that he doesn’t own any other businesses or belong to any organizations, start the negotiation by simply offering him a free lunch whenever he wants. Use the following tactic for best results…

Set up your meeting for 11:30 am if possible. You may be surprised by how far free meals go in a negotiation when the other side is starving. I’m totally serious about this. If you’ve ever gone grocery shopping on an empty stomach then you know what a powerful force hunger can be on the decision making process.

You may find yourself with permission to set up for the cost of a couple of hot dogs a week.

If all else fails and you do end up talking about rent, don’t pay a percentage of sales. I never want the landlord knowing how much I make. Go for a flat rate.

How ’bout it slingers? What would you do? Chime in!

-Steve