I love when I hear from our international readers!!! Vincent Meers is bringing the iconic American hot dog cart to the streets of Antwerp. How cool!
Vincent writes,
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Hi Steve,
Just to let you know I’m a follower of your newsletter and website. Me and my brother started a hotdog business on the side in August.
Following picture is a picture of our first cart (that’s me working for a test run in the city).
This cart is with a bicycle as you can see and we use it to sell hotdogs on Fridays to 3 companies in the Harbor of Antwerp.
We have a big menu with 10 different type of hotdogs and 1 with even the famous New York Red Onion Sauce which is very popular among the clients.
In the picture you can see our Crunchy Black Peppa which consists out of potato chips and black pepper sauce. Topped with freshly grinded pepper.
We also have a second cart that we use for parties and events and next week will be the first week that we are going to sell hotdogs on the street in Antwerp city. We are going to tackle the student neigbourhood.
This is a cart very easy to use, very maneuverable and very light. The cart in the harbor is very heavy so not that practical to move around the city.
Any more tips for us? Is it American enough or have you got some extra’s 🙂
Because we are still thinking about a couple of things like where to keep our money save and how do you estimate a certain amount of sandwiches for a day selling.
Met vriendelijke groeten,
Vincent Meers
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I love it Vincent! Both of your carts are very nice and your Crunchy Black Peppa dog looks delicious.
Is it American enough? Absolutely!
I keep my money on my person at all times. Here is a hot dog cart money handling video that might help you.
Estimating how much to bring for a daily street vending spot is really just a matter of experience. After a few weeks you will know what your average daily sales are and you can adjust your stock accordingly.
As far as estimating how much food to bring for a day’s selling, I wrote an article on that subject a while back. It is mainly concerned with festivals and big events. Hot dog cart food estimating.
You and your brother are off to a great start Vincent!
Veel succes in uw bedrijf,
-Steve
Hi Vincent, That a wonderful seen wish we was there. invest 3% of your income in yourself (self development) in order to guarantee your future,!!!!
Hey Vince,
You weren’t over here in America this summer, were you? 2 people from Belgium stopped at my cart wanting a genuine American hot dog and wanted to start one of their own. That would just be too much of a coincidence!
The pics look great, the cart is great and your hot dogs make me hungry! You should do very well.
Wow – that would be a coincidence indeed!
Belgium? What is it 20 below zero?
Man you just encouraged me to stick it out here in our 30 degree weather. Thanks, and good fortune.
Boo & Drew
Love it!
I lived in Brussels in the 80’s and always knew a Dog Cart would work well in Belgium.
But will you be accepted if you are not also selling Frietjes!!! 🙂
Been in the dog and sausage business for 8 years…two tips I will give you for free:
1 Always-always buy the best quality product you can get!
2 Give the customer unique choices (which are reasons to come back again!)
-Veel succes! Pete from IANSgrille.com
Hey Vincent,
Wat voor hot dogs gebruiken jullie? Ik kan nergens all-beef vinden..
Translation:
What kind of hot dogs do you use? I can’t find all-beef (on this side of the ocean)..
Gr. Appie
H_Appie Hamburgers en Hot Dogs
Nederland (Fryslân)
Wow – Welcome Appie! This is really cool – an international group!
I think you’ve created a monster here, Steve. Antwerp, Belgium?!? I don’t even know where that is! Who’d a thunk it? Congrats to Vincent & Brother.
I never woulda thunk it myself Robert. Pretty humbling.
Steve,
I am following you for a long time;-) I am in your mailinglist too (another mail-address) and purchased your book and plans 2 years ago..
I have used your plans to make my own version with a griddle for hamburgers.
On my twitter account you can find some pictures of it: twitter.com/h_appie
Appie Reitsma
Thank you Appie! I’ll take a peek at it.
Vincent,
Congratulations on getting your business up and running.
I would love to see some additional pictures of your bicycle/cart combination and your cart setup.
Thanks everybody for the reactions!
Really nice of you all! The tips are great and we will keep them in mind!
If you want to see more pictures of our cart and follow our news, you always can via Facebook! This is our page!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dogs-On-Wheels/392696737469742?ref=hl
Bye!
Thank you Vincent!
Hey guys I’m from Brussels and I would like to come visit you and have a nice hotdog. How or where could I find you? Facebook account?? See you soon…