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!
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Robin and her famous pink cowboy hat. Click for a larger image.
Hi Steve,
Just closed for the season. Â 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.Â
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.Â
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.Â
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
She must have a good spot but many vendor’s do not have the same breaks in the business I do a lot of good things like make great food clean my area up change my gloves I use square punch cards business cards go to a festival with 8000 peaple get involved with a haunted house have a girl wear a hotdog costume to stop traffic fancy hotdogs great cheesesteaks. The point is trying is a good thing but going into business for your self with no help is a difficult thing and could be very time consuming. I am not telling peaple not to do it because I enjoy it at times but to have to go to city council meetings to try to remove ordiances to succeed in this business is a lot and trying to renew permitts and things like that man it’s very difficult for one person to do. I like to hear the feel good stories but how about some reality unless the location is perfect it is not easy to attract attention to a hotdog cart.
Going into business for yourself is exciting and fun, the potential rewards are far beyond anything you will get working for “the man.” That said, yes – it’s a lot of work and not everyone who tries it is going to get rich.
There are many factors that affect profitability but 99 percent of them can be overcome or figured out. That’s the stuff I can help you with. Been there, done that. No need to reinvent the wheel.
Some slingers have an effortless start up and enjoy immediate success. Others run into red tape and take longer to find that “money spot”.
I know hot doggers who make a few hundred bucks a week. A know hot doggers who make a six figure income from one cart. The biggest difference I see between them is not how smart they are or how much money they had to start with.
The deciding factor in every business success story is the founder’s attitude. Whether it’s starting a hot dog biz or a biotech company, they ALWAYS believe that they are going to do well and they NEVER give up.
The ones who do give up tend to do so when the going gets toughest. The really sad thing is that the going always gets toughest right before a major breakthrough. It’s called “the dip”. If you can get through the dip, great things await you.
Is your glass half empty or is it half full? What you tell your self in your head each morning tends to come true over time.
Dave, you have overcome all of the hard stuff. You are so close – I can feel it. Stay positive and flexible. If something is not working, you must change it. Eventually you will get the combination right and the safe will swing open my friend.
Very Inspiring! Congrats on a great season Robin,I wish you many more! Thanks for sharing Steve.
Good for you Robin !!! I’m also a slinger and student of Steve’s. With the help of his EZ Built Cart DVD and manuals, I was able to start up a part time Cart business and I love every minute of it !!! What I did at the end of the year for about a month, was set up a small Slot machine on the counter and everyone who made a purchase got a free spin to win a free hot dog. I had one day that I had four winners and the customers seemed to really like it, but the only problem is it seemed to cut back on the tip jar as I think it was a distraction. I love the view you have at your location and I wish you the best on your time off.
Bruce of ” Bruce’s Hot Dog Cartel “.
Interesting idea Bruce!!!
Steve is right! If you are thinking about getting into the business,now is a great time to start. I built a cart from Steve’s plans and it took me awhile to get the cart the way I wanted it and to locate good spots and a commissary kitchen. That was in 2010 and I have never been sorry or looked back!
Wow Robin, that’s awesome! Gotta love those loyal customers that keep coming back and wanting more! It always pays off to offer great food with superior service, people love to be treated with respect and also fairly. Keep up the great work my hot dog slinging friend!
Robin..you have come along way…Good Going
Bruce..They get to spin the one arm bandit after they tip…preferred customers only
Tip Buckets need to be in the area money is exchanged, directly below your hand or customers hands exchange the moola….more moola for the hula
joe
Glad to hear you are doing well !!
Enjoy the off season. Maybe I can make it out there next season.
Or maybe see ya on the river !!
Har har aharrrr !!
1St Mate Jim.
Hi Steve !!
Hi Jim!
Way to go Robin! Youve only proved what Ive said and worked with my hot dog buisness: Hot dog attitude is everything! Its the silent factor,but your own personal hot dog attitude,or your attiude determines altitude! Ive been out thereselling in the very hot,or very cold,in fact to the point where I had ice puddles below my feet selling my weeners! Ive sold very early in morning ,very late @night,and up to 5 in the morning,only ready to begin a new hot dog day Attitude,attitude,attitude How high you reach,how high you jump,how much you love what we sell hot dogs in America, small buisness like us,a hot dog sales person More power to you Robin,happy hot doggin! Gary the hot dog man
It is so nice to here when someone does good. As I always say: “Make it Fun”. I do get to run longer in the south but I only work parttime with my cart and that breaks out to about 70 days a year. You may want to look into a Fludder Flag, they are easy to put up and work great, I use a umbrella stand for a base so I don’t have to hammer anything into the ground. I use the 15′ one that say, “Fresh Hot Hot Dogs”, cost was only $53.50 with shipping. Good!! Good!!
ps enjoy your time off……
Thank you all for your positive comments! However, as Dave pointed out, it wasn’t all joy and glory. Dave, I had my times. My location IS a great one, but even with that, it took my customer base 4 seasons, a lot of word of mouth, a website and a lot of business cards along with a lot of trial and error to get the results I talked about above. For me, the key is listening to my customers and putting them first. I try to give them what THEY want, not what I think will sell. I’ve interviewed and polled people who come by; bicyclers, travelers, fishermen, children, etc. When people wanted to do debit cards, Steve showed us how. I made about $150 in the 2 weeks since I had it! I tried some things that just didn’t work, like kielbasa and red hots and threw out more than I sold. I experimented with the pulled pork to come up with that special taste. Same with the chili. I had problems with the gas jets. Again, Steve to the rescue. What I’m saying is, even with a great location and great food, a friendly attitude and all the convenience, it all takes time. Word of mouth, special offers, customer appreciation, kindness for human need goes a tremendous distance. They may seem like sacrifices to give away water or Gatorade when someone left their wallet on the other side of town, but believe me when I say, I have NEVER been stiffed for it. They ALL come back with money in hand, more drinks to sell or whatever…AND THEY BRING FRIENDS! So even though my great location is off the main drag, people find me one way or another. If you have been slinging for only a few years, or if this is your first year, hang in there. It may be tough for a while, but be consistent in every way and you will reap the benefits that we all talk about.
Steve, thanks again. I didn’t expect to see my own face on the HDCN again! 🙂
Steve
After many years with the same company I got laid off the end of June.at 56 years old and over 26 years experience I fine myself being Interview by kids half my age.
So I
This was my first year, I got a late start, I did not open until August, Just like you said
location location location is everything.
I live in Oregon were we have a lot of rain, So I took a old trailer and turn it in to a hot dog trailer.business is great.
Thank you