Author: Steve

Craig Hamm of Hammy’s Dogs on Wheels sent me pictures of his brand new bright orange hot dog cart. You MUST see the graphics on this bad boy – SUPER nice!!! More pictures of this “you can’t miss it” hot dog cart are at the bottom of this article.

Craig writes…

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

Hey Steve,

Here is my E-Z Built hotdog cart that I built this winter. I will be out selling Nathan’s Hotdogs starting Memorial Day Weekend.

The reason I got into doing the hotdog business is because I liked working in the retail business where I could be around people but I no longer do that anymore so maybe selling dogs will take the place of that.

I have always wanted to have my own business giving some kind of service to the public so what better way in doing so. Currently I have been working in a factory for the past  9 years and people know how dull that can get so maybe selling dogs can boost my confidence and eventually move on to something bigger.

Thanks Steve,

Craig Hamm
Hammy’s Dogs on Wheels

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

Awesome job Craig! I love the bright orange color. As I always say, the first step in selling a hot dog is getting the customer’s attention. You have succeeded there for sure.

I also totally dig your custom graphics. It makes you look super pro and that’s important in the second step, building customer confidence. Your cart looks like it could be an extension of a local restaurant, it looks that slick and polished. Great presentation and branding!!!

As far as confidence goes, I have a theory on that as well. The trend nowadays is to tell everyone that they are great so that they don’t have to feel bad about anything. The kids run a race and they all get ribbons. There are no A’s and F’s on report cards. Everyone wins.

That does nothing to build confidence. It just fosters a false sense of security that crumbles at the first setback encountered in the real world. It hurts more than it helps.

What really builds confidence is trying, making mistakes, recovering, then succeeding. And going through that process again and again. True confidence comes from proving to yourself that you can bounce back after a setback because you’ve done it many times in the past.

Starting a hot dog cart business is an awesome way to get the confidence you need to succeed in the world of entrepreneurship. The start up costs are low and the profit potential is unlimited. You can start with one cart, work out the bugs, then just add carts and duplicate your already proven processes. It’s a cookie cutter approach to business growth.

I’d say “good luck” Craig, but I can tell from the attention to detail you put into your E-Z Built Hot Dog Cart, that you won’t need it. You look like a guy who makes his own. And when you know how to manufacture your own luck, you’ll have all the confidence you need to succeed wildly – in your own time and on your own terms.

Go kick some tail my friend, I’m super proud of you!

-Steve

Click on the pictures below for a larger version.

 

Memorial Day

A handful of old men walking down the village street
In worn, brushed uniforms, their gray heads high;
A faded flag above them, one drum to lift their feet-
Look again, O heart of mine, and see what passes by!

There’s a vast crowd swaying, there’s a wild band playing,
The streets are full of marching men, or tramping cavalry.
Alive and young and straight again, they ride to greet a mate again-
The gallant souls, the great souls that live eternally!

A handful of old men walking down the highways?
Nay, we look on heroes that march among their peers,
The great, glad Companions have swung from heaven’s byways
And come to join their own again across the dusty years.

There are strong hands meeting, there are staunch hearts greeting-
A crying of remembered names, of deeds that shall not die.
A handful of old men?-Nay, my heart, look well again;
The spirit of America today is marching by!

– Theodosia Pickering Garrison

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

Thank you all who have served America. You are true heroes and we are forever in your debt.

-Steve

Did you know that we offer free used hot dog carts advertisements on our used hot dog carts page?

That’s right, if you have a used cart to sell we would be happy to work up a free ad and post it in our classified ads section. Here’s how it works:

Shoot me an email (steve@hotdogprofits.wpenginepowered.com) with a picture or two, a short description, the price, your state, and your contact info (email and/or phone number). When I receive your information my team will work up an ad and let you know when it is live.

This is probably the best place on the net to get your used cart sold – just listen to those who have used our free classified service…

As always let me know if I can help you in any way,

– Steve

Just got an email from Julia with some awesome pics of her hot dog cart grand opening – always inspiring! She also asks a food code question that I will answer below. Julia writes…

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

Hi Steve!

Just wanted to send you a few pics of my grand opening here at the Newport District Courthouse in Newport, NH!  Despite the “iffy” weather (it rained here and there) and the fact I was only out there for a couple of hours, I had MANY people visit my cart and saying how much they like the cart because it is so bright and cheery and different than most of the others that are stainless steel in the area.  People I never knew are going to my Facebook page (they told me that they’ve been going there to find out when I’m going to be on the courtyard)!  I also donate 10% to the local food pantry and that’s been the reason for many visits too!  🙂  I’m hoping to give very generously this season!  That would make this even more rewarding!!!

First, I have to thank you for the great DVD’s (EZ Built Hot Dog Cart discs) and Carts of Cash book!  Without your information, I would have never done this!  Also, I just quit my overnight job to focus on this and focus on another business of mine.  But it was because of this one, Granite State Hot Doggers that I feel confident that I can make equivalent to what I am making now on my 6 night a week, no vacations, no sick day, dead end J-O-B that I’ve had for the past 7 1/2 and very long years!!!!

Second, I got a nice visit from the health inspector on my second day.  She loved the looks of the cart in action she said and stared at it smiling for awhile.  I love my health inspector!  She is really cool!  Then she said that I couldn’t use the grill that I made a side table for. I was using it for grilled onions and peppers and sausages.  I guess in my area you can’t have a grill unless it is part of an inside structure like a trailer or food truck or of course, a restaurant.  But she said I’m allowed to use it for the Farmer’s Market that they hold here once a week starting in June.  Have you ever heard of this?  Anyway, I had a question regarding sausages.  She said I could steam them if I wanted to use them but I’m stumped about what to do with the grilled onions and peppers that go with it!  LOL!  It would be kind of sad to have steamed veggies on top of the steamed sausage.  Kind of not-the-point if you ask me.

Thanks for all that you do!

Julia Turgeon
Granite State Hot Doggers
Newport, NH

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

Hey Julia – NICE CART!!! Woo Hoo… Congrats on your grand opening. The first day out is one of the proudest moments in the life of a hot dog slinger. I still remember mine. A little nervous, very excited, then totally thrilled when I handed out that first hot dog, held out my hand, and someone put money in it. It’s a rush you’ll never forget. Keep that first bill and frame it – it’s a big deal and you should be really proud of yourself!!!

As far as the grill goes, it does depend on your local codes. Actually, it really depends on your inspector. Many realize that the codes they are supposed to enforce border on ridiculous and they choose to be lenient in their enforcement of them. A case in point is that you said you are allowed to use a grill at the farmer’s market but not at the courthouse. Kinda silly, right? I would never tell anyone to purposely violate the food codes, but here is my personal philosophy:

• The codes can be complicated and difficult to interpret even for a trained health inspector.
• The inspectors are always overworked and they have all that they can handle just doing regular restaurant inspections.
• Therefore, most inspectors don’t spend their free time trying to “bust” anyone. In fact they don’t have any free time.
• If an inspector comes to your cart and sees a food item or piece of equipment that is not allowed, they might just ignore it. If not, they will simply tell you to remove it, change it, or fix it. You might get a written compliance request but you won’t be fined or sent to hot dog jail. Fines and hot dog jail are reserved for repeat offenders and rogue food cart operators without licenses and permits.
• No matter what you serve or how you serve it, always, always, always follow proper food handling procedures to assure the health and safety of your customers – no matter what.

Speaking of grills and flat top griddles. Sooner or later most of my customers end up mounting a grill on the side of their hot dog cart. Click the link for an article I wrote that shows you exactly how to do it.

As far as the peppers and onions go, fried is best. Perhaps you can fry up a batch at your commissary in the morning and keep them hot in a pan on your cart. The polish sausages could be handled this way also, or just boil or steam them on the cart like you do the hot dogs.

Once again, congratulations Julia! You did a wonderful job on your E-Z Built Hot Dog Cart and your grand opening was a success. You did it!!!

-Steve

P.S. Don’t forget to frame that dollar 😉

Click the picture below for a larger version.

 

Gus Rodriguez built this awesome metal food cart from the E-Z Built Hot Dog Cart Video and Plans Package. He added compartments for shaved ice flavorings along both sides and put his ice shaver in the bun storage area with an ice chute through the top. Pretty slick!

But that’s not all. It’s an easy switch back to hot dogs by simply replacing the pans in the steam table. Genius! I love seeing all the different ways that my customers modify their carts. In fact, it seems like just about everyone adds at least one special touch. It’s very simple to do.

From hot dogs to sno cones, tacos to sushi, if you can dream it you can build it. That’s why you see so many versions of the E-Z Built in the photo gallery. I designed the E-Z Built Hot Dog Cart from the very beginning to be easy to modify. Once you watch the five DVDs you will be able to customize your cart to serve any food you desire just like Gus did.

Congratulations Gus on a wonderful build – I’m really proud of you!

Let’s hear it for Gus in the comments my fellow slingers, and let me know what other kinds of foods you are serving from your cart…

-Steve

Click the pictures for a larger version

The following is a guest post from Michael Wood, owner of Duggs Doggs. Millions of people across the world agree that  Michael truly is “The Best Looking Hot Dog Man in Georgia”.

Hello fellow Hot Dog Cart News readers! It’s time again for the 7th Annual Boss Hog Cook Off in Waynesboro, Georgia 11-12 May 2012. This is an official Georgia State Championship BBQ Contest with over $11,000 in prize money which attracts top notch competitive BBQ teams from across the country including “Big J and the Butts”, “Lip Smackin’ Oinkers”, “Swine-O-Mite”, and “Butt Naked and Smokin'”. They even have their own commercials!

The first question that you will ask is, “Why are you talking about Bar-B-Q when you do Hot Dogs?” Well, I’m going to tell you all about the best secret that I have. I have been doing events like this for the last 3 years. The first year I was the only food vendor other than the 30 teams that were trying to win the Bar-B-Q Cook Off and sell their Bar-B-Q. The second year they added more food vendors but I continue to be the only hot dog vendor at these events.

Dare to be different. People that attend don’t all like Barb-B-Q and most parents will spend $3.00 for a hotdog for their kids faster than $12 for ribs. Most of the cook off teams know me from other events that I attend. The locals know me from my spot in town and come by to say hi. They all come over and have a Sausage Dog, Big Dog or All Beef Hot Dog at DUGGS DOGGS “Good!! Good!!” served by “The Best Looking Hot Dog Man in Georgia”.

Sometimes all you need to do is ask. Last year I talked to the coordinators of the Boss Hog Cook Off and asked if I could co-sponsor the “Waynesboro Weiner Hot Dog Eat Off” at the event with William Mizell Ford. I figured that being the co-sponsor of the event would be a better fit than the co-sponsor the year before which was a local garage. The answer I was given was, “That would be great!”

Nothing to it. I was told that the Waynesboro Weiner Hot Dog Eat Off was being setup by a real nice lady that would do all the hard work and that all I had to do was provide the hotdogs. That fit the bill great. All I have to do is show up and fix hotdogs? I know how to do that! Well, it almost went like that. The day of the eat off a summer storm came up and everything was pushed up by 30 minutes. There I was with half cooked dogs, running around like a chicken with my head cut off. The next task was to get 60 hot dogs together and to the stage in just a few minutes, cut the burners up, and make my wife mad. Bingo… The Waynesboro Weiner Hot Dog Eat Off was a success!!

Don’t do it all by yourself. Ok, now for who really gets the credit. The nice lady that I noted above is where the real credit should go. Jayne got the three young men in the pictures below (Mustard, Ketchup, Hotdog) to dress up in the outfits all day and ride around during the event in the back of a golf cart talking people into signing up for the hotdog eat off. She also did the MC duties and talked about a dozen other people into being spotters during the eatoff. She also presented the prizes which consisted of $100 for first place, $75 for second place and $25 for third place, all provided by Mizell Ford. I gave the three winners a “DUGGS DOGGS” Tee Shirt. Oh – the good looking guy in the picture with the funny hat is me…

It doesn’t have to cost you much. The cost of this Hot Dog Eat Off to me was the cost of the hot dogs , three tee shirts, running around like a chicken with my head cut off, and making my wife a little mad. The result was so much free advertising for my business that I cannot put a price on it. Sales increased 37% from one year to the next at this event. My total year over year sales went up 19% overall. I did have fun too….

The lessons learned:

• Make it fun.
• You can sell hotdogs anywhere even at a Bar-b-que cook off.
• Advertising can be free and should be free.
• Word of mouth will increase your sales.
• You can figure that most people cannot eat more than 6 dogs each in a timed event and 5 minutes is a long time.
• Don’t’ use your normal dogs in a hot dog eating contest. Get the cheap ones, they will not know the difference.
• If you attempt to do an event like this ensure that you have a disclaimer form that will release you from liability. Here is a sample application with waiver that you can look at. This is only a sample. I’m not an attorney. It’s your responsibility to make sure your waiver complies with your states laws.
• Advertise the event.
• Get as much help as you can.
• Get other people and sponsors involved.
• Spend other people’s money not your own.

And finally – it does not hurt to be the best looking Hot Dog Guy in Georgia too. DUGGS DOGGS GOOD!! GOOD!!

-Michael Wood

I got a free shirt from Jeff’s Top Dog in Phoenix, Arizona. Awesome! Jeff writes…

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

Hi Steve,

Here’s a shirt for you. We all know you’re America’s Top Dogger! I’m also sending you something special. I hope they didn’t hatch during shipping. LOL.

Thanks for all you do.

-Jeff
Jeff’s Top Dog
Phoenix, AZ

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

Jeff wrote a bit more about how he’s implementing one of the tactics in my Hot Dog Biz 101 course, but I can’t share it here. I don’t want to ruin his good thing.

I will say that it frightened me pretty good and that once it was over I laughed my you-know-what off.  Genius Jeff – pure genius!

Thanks for the shirt (and for scaring the crap out of me. LOL!!!)

-Steve

P.S. If you have shirts for your hot dog business, send me one and I’ll wear it on the next Free Shirt Friday. You can send shirts to:

Red Arrow Publishing LLC
PO Box 118
Union MO 63084

Sgt. Jeff Duncan is a friend of mine from Arizona. We have never met in person (yet) but in the course of doing some business together I have come to like and respect Sgt. D a whole heck of a lot. That’s him to the left.

He asked me recently about doing fundraisers with his hot dog biz. I thought my answers might interest all my slinger buddies here at HDCN.

Jeff writes…

****************************
Hi Steve,  It’s been a long time since I’ve talked with you but hope all is going well.  The updated website looks great!  Well Sunday was my last drill with the AZ National Guard.  A date that I’ve been anxiously and patiently waiting for.  I had to wait until I finished up with the military because it always took up so much of my free time.  Now I can start slingin dogzz!

My question for you is how do fundraisers basically work?  How does the vendor make his profit?  I’m sure there are a number of different ways but what seems to be a good strategy for beginners?  Thanks,  Jeff D.
***************************

Congratulations Jeff and many thanks for your service to our great country!

Break even on your product and lose money on your time. My philosophy on fundraisers is to use them not as a money maker but as a marketing opportunity. I usually donate 100 percent of my profits to the organization. I have a few different reasons for doing so.

First, it feels good. I think we were all put here to do what we can to help our fellow human beings. I’m not saying we should sell all our belongings and try to be the next Mother Theresa. What I am saying is that each of us was born with (or learned along the way) a particular talent or ability that not everyone else has. We use that ability to make money and support ourselves and our families but we should also use it to help others when we can.

We have the talent to sell food and make it an experience. We use that talent to make money and that is extremely rewarding. But it really feels good to use that talent every once in a while to help others. I think it is an actual need that we have – the need to give back. Why else would it feel so good when you do it?

Second, it’s great PR. Being part of a charitable activity puts your business in a great light. The public sees you as someone who cares. So many folks have a bad view of business these days, especially after the abuses of the last few years by big corporations and government. Participating in a fundraiser shows that your business has a conscience, that it has a desire to help the community. People buy from businesses that they like and donating a day’s profits to a worthy cause makes you very likeable indeed.

Third, the exposure you get at these types of events is priceless. You have an opportunity to get your business in front of people that would never know about you otherwise. In addition, there will be other businesses from the community there and they will see your hot dog biz as a possible promo opportunity for themselves. Be sure to have business cards and flyers available to pass out. You will be asked for them. I have never done a fundraiser where I didn’t get two or three gigs down the road as a result of the contacts I made there, as well as picking up more “regulars” for my daily location.

Put yourself out there and offer to help others in need. It will come back to you in many, many ways.

-Steve

P.S. Dig the kick @$$ graphics on Sgt. Dzz cart. Jeff and his daughter made that logo with real hot dogs and condiments – it’s a work of art. I love it!!! (Click the pictures for a larger version.)