For those who don’t know Japadog personally let me introduce you. Started in 2005 by a mad scientist (or one smart businessman) Japadog took the streets of Vancouver by storm and quickly became the phenomenon it is today. The opening of it’s second cart on Burrard and Pender brings me personally one step closer to this yummy hot dog variation as it’s now dangerously close to work. To be more blunt, it’s a Japanese take on hot dogs and it’s stupidly yummy. Continue reading “Mile Long Lines at Japadog: Review by Sean, Vancouver”
Category: Hot Dog Cart News by HotDogProfits.com
Hot Dog Cart Boom Makes The Wall Street Journal!
Hey there! Make sure you read this entire article. This is huge news. If you are thinking about starting a hot dog cart business, now is the time. Don’t wait too long or soon you’ll see somebody making big money with a hot dog cart on the spot you had in mind. Click here to learn everything you need to know.
WALL STREET JOURNAL ONLINE – BANDERA, TEXAS — In hard times, some small-town Americans are turning to a new livelihood with relish.
Among them are Andrea and Ben Guajardo. They began selling hot dogs from a pushcart on Main Street in November.
Ms. Guajardo is a grant administrator for a health-care system. Her husband, Ben, is a pipeline operator. Theirs is the first hot-dog stand in Bandera, pop. 957, that anybody here can remember. Continue reading “Hot Dog Cart Boom Makes The Wall Street Journal!”
College Tuition Hot Dogs
This has to be one of my favorite stories of all time. These guys have what it takes to be successful in whatever they decide to do. They take ACTION…
It has been said that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.
Two Sewickley brothers also are finding out food can be a direct path to a good education. Continue reading “College Tuition Hot Dogs”
22 Years on the Corner of 6th and Main
It must be Spring, Andy is back with his hot dog cart
“It’s officially Spring,” Ken Vampola said while sitting on a Main Street bench Friday afternoon.
He wasn’t talking about blooming plants or Robins chirping, the judge was referring to the first day Andy Manes was peddling hot dogs on the corner of Sixth and Main streets. Continue reading “22 Years on the Corner of 6th and Main”
Used Hot Dog Carts – “Carts of Cash” Customer Opens Brick and Mortar Restaurant, Cart For Sale
Greg Kerlin bought my hot dog cart book a couple of years ago and started his own successful hot dog cart business. Now Greg has parlayed that opportunity into a small restaurant. Nice!
His cart is for sale and it looks really nice. Here are the specifics: Continue reading “Used Hot Dog Carts – “Carts of Cash” Customer Opens Brick and Mortar Restaurant, Cart For Sale”
Huge Inspiration From A Small Classified Ad
I ran across a help wanted ad looking for someone to work a San Francisco hot dog stand. My interest was piqued by the starting wage they offered so I did a little research and discovered a very inspirational fact about the company – their annual earnings. If the figure I’m about to share with you doesn’t make your pulse quicken a bit then you’d better put a mirror in front of your mouth and make sure it’s fogging up like it should…
But first, here’s the original ad from Craig’s List:
HOW ABOUT A FUN, OUTDOOR JOB THAT PAYS WELL?
We have several openings, 32-40 hours a week, for individuals who can do ALL of the following:
1. Sell hot dogs, pretzels, and drinks from our “Stanley’s Steamers” hot dog stands in Union Square and Fisherman’s Wharf;
2. Drive our company Ford Econoline van a few shifts a week helping make deliveries to and from our carts;
3. Work in our commissary several days a week helping to prep food for our cart operations.
Applicants must be able to vend, drive, and work in our commissary, and must have open availability, mornings and evenings, 7 days a week. In addition, the job requires a clean driving record and the ability to lift coolers weighing 75 pounds or more.
We will be interviewing this Tuesday for trainings starting this Wednesday. To apply, please send us your resume with references. It always helps to include a personal note telling us something about you.
If you aren’t contacted for an interview by 9pm Monday night, please assume the spots have been filled. Thanks for your interest!
* Location: Union Square
* Compensation: $13.50/hour starting wage
* Principals only. Recruiters, please don’t contact this job poster.
* Please, no phone calls about this job!
* Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.
As you’ll recall, what sparked my curiosity was the $13.50 starting wage, and therein lie two lessons:
1. The owner is making way more than $13.50 an hour and he doesn’t even have to be there.
2. If you want good help, pay ’em to keep ’em. The owner is a smart operator who knows the value of a reliable consistent employee. That’s why he can play golf at noon anytime he wants.
So who is this company? San Francisco Carts and Concessions.
Dun and Bradstreet puts their annual income at $400,000. Here’s the scoop:
Company Name: San Francisco Carts Concessions
Est. Annual Sales: $400,000
Year Started: 1999
State of Incorp: CA
SIC #Code: 5812
Data above provided by D&B.
2008 Dun and Bradstreet, Inc. All Rights Reserved
So there you go little leaguers – something to shoot for, and proof that it’s possible. Thanks to Craig’s List for $400,000 worth of inspiration!
-Steve
Grilling vs Steaming…Which is Best?
I got an email from a student of mine asking my opinion about cooking methods. Thought you could benefit from the answer…
Q: “Steve, I bought your book etc. and have been listening to the cd’s on the way to & from work. I wish i’d have bought them sooner. I’m planning on purchasing a Top Dog hot dog cart and will have the capability of griddle “flattop” cooking. Don’t they taste better that way? Thanks, Dave J. – Dave’s Dogs”
A: Hey Dave! Grilling and steamimg are two very different prep methods which produce very Continue reading “Grilling vs Steaming…Which is Best?”
Law Firm Refugee Opens Hot Dog Cart Biz
Bert Martin, hoping to get a loan, sat down and handed over his business plan to the banker.
The banker read the sheet of paper and took issue with only one part, at the very top. It was Martin’s goal: To make the best hot dog possible.
“He reads that and goes, ‘Aww, a hot dog is just a hot dog,'” Martin recalled. “I said, ‘Oh, no, there’s good hot dogs, and there’s bad hot dogs – I don’t plan on selling bad ones.'”
Martin got the loan and, in March 2007, opened Texas Style Hot Dogs, a stand he sets up either Continue reading “Law Firm Refugee Opens Hot Dog Cart Biz”
Big Lou’s Hot Dogs – Weekend Warriors
From the Bandera Bulletin, By Jessica Hawley-Jerome – Managing Editor
There’s nothing more American than a good old fashioned hot dog, or so the saying goes. Capitalizing on a need that would benefit both their family and hometown, Ben and Andrea Guajardo are representing county and country – one order at a time. Continue reading “Big Lou’s Hot Dogs – Weekend Warriors”