Author: Steve

The following is a guest post by HDCN reader Rod Walton…

 

A Simple Trailer Modification for $12.99 That Can Save You A Load Of Trouble

I would venture to say that most of us that build the EZ Built Hotdog Cart use the trailer Steve recommends because it is inexpensive, works well and is readily available.

But one issue with trailers with small tires is excessive wear on the bearings.

Small diameter tires means the axle spins at a higher speed and more revolutions per mile means more bearing wear especially if not lubricated properly.

Now your trailer may already have a zerk fitting but can you tell without taking the hub dust cap off how much grease is in there? Is it easy to reach? Pumping in too much can also cause the bearing seal to fail. Fortunately there is a simple solution.

Over the years I have used trailers from various manufacturers and I have installed on most of them a product called “Bearing Buddy” and I have never yet experienced a bearing failure (knock on wood). It is a spring loaded device that keeps your bearing grease under pressure at about 3 P.S.I. and is loaded from a zerk fitting on the outside. You can see at a glance if you need to add grease.

Installation is as simple as replacing your dust cap with the correct size “Bearing Buddy” or similar product.

I hope you are enjoying the holiday. See you Thursday.

Blessings,

-Steve

You HAVE to see the logo for this hot dog cart business! Amazing – just like Suzanne’s Hand Painted Hot Dog Cart Menu, this logo was drawn by the cart owner himself!

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Steve, our goal of this business is, not only to earn a better income, but to afford my husband the opportunity to use his talents as an artist. The logo was designed and drawn by my husband (we had it vectored at a local print shop and they gave us the file to incorporate into business cards, letterheads, banners, etc).

It was a hoot on our first run to the promo company to talk about shirts, banners, etc to show them our logo and to be there as they responded wildly to Dave’s design. They said, “we’re gonna have fun with this one!” That is ultimately what Dave wants to do, after getting the business off it’s feet, and possibly passing it onto the kids or selling it (since we have eight children, someone should want it, right?)

Again, thank you for inspiring us through your story, to catapult us into this business. My husband hated his previous job enough to “have” to make a change, a radical one. This is just the beginning of our story..

More to come,
Shari Hamlin
Big Dave’s Hot Dogs

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Nice work Dave and Shari! Love the creativity! Ever think of hiring out your drawing ability for other doggers to take advantage of?

-Steve

 

Check out Dave’s menu. Click it for a larger version.

The following is a reprint of an article that first appeared in Hot Dog Cart News back in 2009.

Wow, we’ve been around a long time! That’s one reason we have all the best readers. Thank you all for making 2011 a great year.

It’s a perennial classic penned by our own HDCN reader, the one, the only, Pocono Hot Dog (Chef J. Gaigon). Enjoy!

“Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the streets, were carts upon carts, selling Country smoked meats,
I stopped in Chicago to sample their wares, but when I asked them for ketchup, I got nothing but Stares, Just Hot Vienna Sausage Loaded with fun, Sport Peppers and Tomato
ON A POPPYSEED BUN??
On to Baltimore City that Inner Harbor Town, at J. Gagions Cart I plunked two fifty down, For his Chesapeake Dog my taste buds were achin, 100% beef with Old Bay and Smoked Bacon, The slaw that he served was not on the side, but right on the dog, between the buns it did ride.
On to New York to see what they Know, but first, just two stops in the Grand Mountains Pocono,
The Worlds Largest Chili Dog was the Point of their Sign, and the eyes in my stomach were much bigger than mine,
I feasted for hours before I went on my way, for I had Lunch and Dinner and Breakfast the next Day.
Headed East through the Water Gap, with My stomach a fill, We stopped by the Roadside of all places, Buttzville
With Fresh Buttermilk I toasted my My server Big Bonnie, and wolfed down a Classic from the Hot Dogger Named Johnny .
On Dasher and Prancer Lets take off in this rig,
we are headed to Broadway in the Apple so big,
Where Hundreds of carts serve no Regrets, just Traditional Weiners with the name of Sabrett,
You can get em with Chile and Onions and Kraut, but I favor the specials the Vendors put out, Some favor the Chile
of Coney Island Fame, Like Nathans Famous, but what’s in a name. Some Like Mustard and Ketchup and Relish instead,
I chose the Latter with Onions of Red.
I head now to the Border, Be in Canada by Night, But not before sampling HOTS of red and white.
MERRY Christmas to all
…..and to all a good BITE….

As the weather turns cooler, demand for coffee, hot chocolate, and cider increases. Hot drinks are a big seller this time of year and they have a very nice profit margin.

So today’s question is from Charlie. He writes…

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Hi Steve,
I need your help. Do you know what I could look into as far as selling coffee from my cart? I have been asked to do breakfast at my site and I really don’t know what is truly cost effective to hold the coffee in. I just need some ideas.
Best Regards,
Charlie

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I have a lot of slingers here at Hot Dog Cart News who sell hot drinks. One in particular, Roger V, sells coffee and related beverages exclusively from his totally cool Moto-Espresso Coffee Cart, above.

So how about it gang, share your tips on the art and science of cart based hot drink sales in the comments.

Thanks!

-Steve

 

 

If you have been reading Hot Dog Cart News for any amount of time you will know that I am a huge supporter of American Veterans. I believe that each and every person who has served in the United States armed forces is a bona fide hero.

When I received a message from Dean Justin asking if I would help him publicize his effort to help some vets , it was a no-brainer.

Take it away Dean…

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All Dogslingers.. I am new to this and have started a company that will provide jobs and small business opportunities for our Veterans and Wounded Warriors. As you may well quess it involves Hot Dog vending!!! I read your inputs here daily and have learned alot. Right now, my focus is locally but anticipate and hope this will go nationwide. I am seeking any interests or advice that you may provide. This is in the beginning phase and concentration is in what kinds of carts, financing and how to penetrate to gain sponsorship for the project. My hopes are to gain support and sponsorship from various Veterans groups and The Wounded Warrior Project..
Thank you and keep up with the great work.
Dean Justin- Concessions For Veterans- Warrior Dawgs
713-256-5687 Porsche911930@aol.com

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Do any of you have any experience working with veterans groups? If so, maybe you can point Dean in the right direction by leaving a comment below.

Thanks for your help!

-Steve

P.S. As always, it is your responsibility to perform your own due diligence before donating to or getting involved with any charities or non-profits that you are not familiar with.

I just received a really nice email from HDCN reader Suzanne Tadlock. Suzanne is a new slinger and she’s LOVING it! One really cool thing that she did was to paint her own menu sign. What a great attention getter and conversation starter. It sets her apart from everyone else and really gives a personal feel to her hot dog cart business.

I asked her to tell me a bit more about how she became a hot dog slinger. Here is her reply…

Steve,

 

Yes I painted it myself! I thought about having one made but hated the cost and  I used to paint when I was younger so I got a board from Home Depot & started painting, sending my Mom in NC pictures til 3 in the morning!!.

Here’s a little bit on how I got into the Hot Dog Business.  When I was a kid I always said if I moved to the beach I wanted to get me an Ice Cream Cart and sell ice cream on the beach.  Well after being in the corporate world of advertising for many years, my boyfriend moved to Florida.

After his business was doing well I moved.  I so wanted to do the ice cream but with the hot weather here I started looking into a Hot Dog Cart.  After doing alot of research and reading your site, I started looking to buy a cart.   I found a company here that makes them and they helped me with all of the licences and paper work which was great.

My first event was a 2 day Art & Craft festival so I bought my supplies which I thought would be enough for 2 days, nope I sold out the first day had to run to Sam’s to get more!!  I am so happy with my new Weenie’s on Wheels and I look forward now going to work and selling some dogs to people and putting a smile on their face!!

I have to go cook some peppers and onions for tomorrow’s 1st big lunch serving.  I will keep you posted.

Suzanne

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Awesome job Suzanne! Congratulations on your start-up, I know you’ll do well.

Let’s all welcome Suzanne to the dogosphere in the comments!

-Steve

 

I’ve been having an interesting email discussion about credit cards.
I thought I’d let you in on the conversation so you can give us your opinion…

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Hi Steve,
I got an important question regarding Credit card merchants, I’m getting ready to open next week. I saw the square mentioned a few weeks ago by you, I researched and I like the Square.  I have also contacted several different companies that offer passthrough rates to % and per swipe fees. Do you have another company that has good rates for us, remember our avg sale could be $4.00 to $9.00 and I believe half my biz will be debit cards. What or who do you recommend? Sincerely,
Allan

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Hi Allen,
I have merchant accounts for my online publishing business but the cost would be a bit much for a low average transaction business, so I use Square in my hot dog business. I would still recommend Square. It’s simple, it works, and it saves lost sales every day.
Steve

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What about the receipt issue? i would think people would be leary swiping their card and not having a receipt, i know i would. Pass through accts are at same rate as square only it costs $4oo for a swipe/printer. This is the hardest choice I’ve come across regarding the entire hot dog cart process LOL
Thanks for your thoughts.
Allan

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Hey Allan,
When I first started out in this business I kept a paper receipt pad in my pocket and I would ask each customer if they wanted a receipt. 99 percent said no. Granted this was for a cash transaction. I have been using square for several years and have not had anyone balk at it. In fact, most people get excited about the “cool technology“. It creates word of mouth. As for the receipt issue… problem solved – Square lets you send a receipt to the purchaser by email. Easy as pie. I’ll post it so we can get input from the dogosphere.
Steve

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So how about it slingers? How important is the ability to generate receipts? I know a bunch of you are using Square, but how many are using another credit card solution?

Let us know in the comments. Thanks!

-Steve

 

Thanks to Wanda Swan for sending this in. You’re awesome Wanda!

-Steve