Griswoldz Ott Dogs Opening Day! Just One Problem…
Premium Member Jason Griswold just sent these pictures of him slinging hot dogs on his opening day. Exciting! I just have one problem with his set up. See if you can spot it in the pics below…
***********************************
Hi Steve,
I opened on 4th of july and did awesome!!! Thank you so much for the confidence to be my own boss, u have changed my life!
Jason Griswold, Hot Dog Profits Premium Member
************************************
Way to go Jason!
I really like almost everything about your hot dog biz. I just have one little critique. Actually it’s a big critique but it’s easily fixed.
You did a great job on your E-Z Built Hot Dog Cart. I really like the big raised lettering. Very visible, even from across the parking lot. This is important and you nailed it.
The painted propane tank and wheel rims really tie the color scheme together. Attention to details like that shows that you really care about your business. Customers will sense that. Nice!
Your tee shirt is awesome too. Great logo. I like the way you differentiate yourself with the “Ott Dog”. It’s not just a hot dog. It’s something better!
You look nice and neat, clean physical appearance. Very good.
The only thing I see that could use improvement is your cooler lid. It looks really dirty. Get yourself some Clorox Wipes. Not only are they are great for keeping work and prep surfaces clean and sanitary, but they are really good at whitening. They will have your cooler lid looking like new.
If the dirt is too ingrained to remove, get some spray paint and paint that lid. There are special spray paints formulated for use on plastic. Be sure to get that kind or your paint job will peel right off.
Overall, great job Jason! You can be really proud of yourself. Look what you did!
Let’s hear it in the comments, Slingers (and soon to be slingers)
-Steve
Click on the pictures for a larger version…
I would work on is menu board, too
The foot traffic is going to converge at the front doors of the the store. Need to get right up front if management will allow.
Does your health dept allow you to have customers get their own drinks?
Ours really frown on the idea unless you put some kind of sanitizer in the cooler. Although the one time I tried it the water was really dirty and as a bonus the sanitizer has to be changed as the ppm goes down!! If you use bleach the water/bleach combo can be to much, people do not like the smell of bleach.
“sell em” all” jerry
MY HD is fine with customers getting their own drinks out of the cooler.
money box in bad place, but very nice
I can see 4 things.
I don’t see sinks, but there are only a couple pics.
I wouldn’t wear black.
I would lose the sunflower seeds. ( Personal opinion. )
The prices I think could be higher.
Don’t sell short. Arrrrggg !!!
The idea is to be profitable matey !!
Hey Steve, what do I win if I guessed right !
Arrr har har har !!
1St Mate Jim.
Wouldn’t wear black? Ye’re a Pirate fer Pete’s Sake!!!
Aye matey, but it still gets hot.
1St Mate Jim.
Nice looking operation. The presentation of your cart name is a really nice touch, and your t-shirt logo is spot on play on words. But, I do agree with our with our King Dog Leader. Always make sure your white coolers look real white. I wash mine down real well with a scrub brush, Lysol Kitchen Cleaner, and a garden hose once a week, and then keep it cleaned with Clorox Wipes during the day. Pass-er-bys always see me wiping and cleaning when I am at my site, it makes them want to come back. Every thing comes down to PRESENTATION, because people eat with their eyes first.
Aye Cappy.
Couldn’t have said it better myself !!
Perception & presentation are key.
1St Mate Jim.
Jason your cart is awesome and what a clever way you have named your HotDog! I’m impressed. In California you have to have a refrigerator not just a cooler so I am not sure if you have that or not. One suggestion I would make is to clean up your menu sign. It looks too confusing and unprofessional. I’m not saying not to have a hand written one, just make it easy for a customer to see what you are offering. One thing you could do it make your combo item the center of attention. Sorry if I sound picky here, but it’s this little details that will make a difference. Overall you have a great looking cart and you should be very proud.
Other than the ketchup bottle on the shirt, I would not have my cash box in plain sight and a long reach away.
Just a mention. I would use the chip hangers under the umbrella to free up more counter space, and al so get rid of the ketchup!! Don’t go on no hotdog!
Not positive but I wouldn’t keep my cash box out in the open like that.
Definitely agree on the cash box. Also can raise your prices. When we started I had $2 dogs, .25 for chili, .25 for cheese, .25 for kraut. Then we got smart and charge $2.50 per dog and includes choice of chili, cheese and/or kraut. What we discovered was approx. 1/3 wanted chil, cheese or kraut, about 1/3 wanted 2 or more and 1/2 wanted it plain. Made more money, kept things simple. Now we charge $3.00 ($4.00 at Festivals) with same selection. We charge $5 for combos and they feel as if they are getting a real deal. We charge $1.75 each for soda and chips ($2 each at festivals). Makes change much easier. When you give back change one quater change vs 2 quarters makes your quarters last twice as long. When you charge $.50 some will give you the change, but we’ve found that just as many will not give it back to you in tips. At 41.75 you almost always get the quarter back. ALSO, I did not see a tip jar. We tithe our tips to a local food pantry and state on the jar, that we donate a portion of all tips to that pantry. You can use any portion you want, but if you say you do, do it.
We also offer several different kinds of mustard (little extra, but sets you apart from from the guy with the big pump jugs), dill and sweet relish and yes ketchup. They are paying for it and they can put anything on it they want. Who made the rule about no ketchup on hot dogs, but whoever did, never served kids (and lots of adults). Also agree about hanging the chip clips.
For the tops of our coolers, we get Orange Awesome cleaner from the $1 store. Great stuff, smells great, cheap and makes everything sparkle. We attend many food truck rallies and there is one truck I can hardly eat off of because the tops of their coolers look like they’ve never been washed. Work on your menu board, only thing that does not look professional. I print mine up with my laser printer and use a cork board so I can change the menu (add or subtract) or raise or lower prices depending on venue (one example – We get $6 for a burger (pre-cooked) with lettuce and tomato. When we do a kids event we put price at $5 but don’t offeer lettuce or tomato, just pickles, mustard and/or ketchup. Our HD allows it so we let them put their own condiments on. Makes you appear generous with things that will only save you pennies and if you are busy, cost you time. Keep those lines short by fast turnover. Restaurant rule, either charge a premium price and let them dine or charge a reasonable price and work on turning over the tables as often as possible. We can’t charge enough on Hot Dogs to make first scenerio work.
Looks like he is serving customers right next to the steam pans. That could backfire on him real fast. And I agree cash box next to the condiments is not practical.
no drink display, move chips over bring the condiment closer to you out of the sun, put mayo in cooler, keep your ketchup about 1/3 of the dogs i sell they put ketchup on. maybe its a west coast thing.
Use a apron with two pockets for cash.
All my prices are at .25 increments, 2.25,2.50 3.25 ect that’s tax included!! easy paper work and change only quarters.
Ice cooler use stiff brush and comet hose it down, tough spot just a little sand paper.
looks good have fun slinging!!
Jim
J R Foods LLC
Thank you guys so much for your advise, I have changed a few things since then like the cash box, and my menu as I was tired of walking around to the menu to help them. I do not have a sink as my HD says I don’t need one and my customers are allowed to get there own drinks.
I’m sure all the advice will be welcomed by Jason. Experience is the best teacher and I’m confident that with time he will make the necessary adjustments to make his cart a success. You go Jason!!!
Great job Jason! Big congrats to you on your stand. I’m just trying to find a good commassary so i can get my business license in the good ole state of GA. so i can do take back control over my life and time. KEEP SLINGING!!!
Email me and I’ll give you my commissary getting strategy Greg. It works.
My wife works the cart with me and she handles all the toppings and cash on the table attached to the cart…the counter has a drawer we installed that can be pulled out to handle the cash…one thing I have a question about, can I change my price after I have been at a gig. I’m noticing I could charge more but I’m afraid of the return customers asking questions of why my price went up or is it to late to change.
It’s never too late to raise prices Jason. If your product is good enough people don’t mind paying extra. If anyone asks, tell them that you were just starting the business and you found that you needed to bump prices up a bit to cover the cost of the premium ingredients that you use.
Congrats on opening your business. You have a good resource with your Hot Dogs for Profit membership. It will help you grow your business with the mentoring it offers. You’re off to a great start.
I agree with the points made about the cash box and menu. The wording on the menu makes it sound as if the dogs automatically come with all of those condiments on top, rather than the choices offered for putting on the hot dogs. You might consider leaving that off the menu (but still list the ones you charge for) and let your colorful condiment display speak for itself. If the customer has questions it gives you greater opportunity to engage them and enhance their service experience.
Other than a little tweaking here and there, it all looks great.
Dale
I would say no hand washing sink, that would usually get you denied by the
health inspector.
I use 409 and a stiff brush to keep my ice chest clean.
Here in Reno H.D. will not let you keep your supplies on the ground either…although I see others do it.
Get a pocket apron for your cash so as not to tempt evil doers.
I make up to $25.00 a day in tips-get a jar ASAP with something funny on it.
Good Luck my fellow hot dogger,
you will not find better advice anywhere but here!
2 things, menu is very hard to read, you offer a meal deal for $2 extra, but don’t offer a deal. Take .50 off the price with the drink and chips. It’s not a deal if cust has to pay full price!
Also good luck getting your propane tank filled, they usually won’t fill em if you paint or alter them in any way
Never heard of a problem with a painted tank but that certainly could be the case. Thanks for the input!
Minnesota you need two people, need mechanical coolers, no igloo allowed, I think your hidden behind the cart, hand washing? sinks? a lot of reading, what makes it a combo? can soda? flavors? are you at Lowes in parking lot? get up by the front door, call Streats Eats they control the store, maybe face the store? can’t tell from the pictures..
I have found in my area that ,That I can sell a dog for $2.50 ! but it’s getting hard to do as Sabrett price did jump to $6.99 per pound ! I use the # 11 so I get like 55 hot dogs in 5 Lb’s However they do give me a 5% discount off my total. So I am around 58 cents per Dog. So here is my math Dog= .58 Bun =.18 Toppings = .30 Total $1.06 per Dog. add in a soda .32 = $2.44 my cost. I sell a meal for $5.00 I guess it’s a little on the low side ? I should be $6.00 . Any feed back would be great ! Thanks
Definitely bump up your prices a bit Joe. Check out this article:
https://hotdogprofits.com/blog/scared-to-charge-a-decent-price-for-your-hot-dogs-let-me-help/
I can not tell you how valuable these kind of post are. Reading through them gave me ideas and caused me to take a critical look at my whole operation. I am alway refining and trying new ideas. Some work and some don’t. The result is that my sales and profits continue to grow. Thanks to all of you for your comments. They really are valuable!
Steve…You really do have a great service here… Thanks goes to you too. Jim
Thanks Jim. Want to know my secret? I have the most professional and kind readers. I try to attract the type of person who is polite and helpful. The web is full of the other kind and we don’t want them here. Hot Dog Profits is the place where you can get honest help without fear of being ridiculed or talked down to. Whether you are a newbie or a veteran slinger, there is no such thing as a stupid questions here.
Don’t take the ketchup away, a lot of people (including myself) like it. If you are not eating it don’t worry about what others put on theirs. I would not eat at a cart that told me I couldn’t have what I wanted on it.
Just my opinion.