Looking to get into the Hot Dog business? I am offering an excellent Hot Dog Cart along with a “Complete Success Package” (The Package Includes EVERYTHING you will need to start selling hot dogs – PLUS 10 HOURS OF ONE-ON-ONE CONSULTING to help you get started doing things right the first time! (Plus a whole lot more! – see below) We can have you completely set up and ready to “sling like a pro” in a week or two!

CONTACT THE SELLER: Rick Hahn 
EMAIL: richardthahn@gmail.com

Unfortunately, many new hot dog slingers spend their hard-earned money on a cart before they have enough knowledge of what kind of cart they need, what features they need, what makes a good (or bad) cart, and what to do once they get their first cart. They spend the most when they know the least. I know that I spent thousands of $ and a bunch of time “learning the ropes” to learn how to be a good – and profitable slinger. I can – and will – save you a bunch of time and money.

Part of the challenge is that when we start out, we don’t even know half the things we will need to know! (We don’t know what we don’t know ?) That’s where the consulting comes in. I will work with you to figure out things like:

• How your plan for what you want to sell and where you will be selling will affect what kind of cart you need (and what features you will need)
• How to choose a menu
• How to determine how many menu items to sell
• Should you accept credit cards? What is the best Point-of-Sale system to use?
• How to manage inventory so you don’t end up having to throw away your profits
• How to determine pricing to ensure profit but not lose business
• Should you buy cheap hot dogs and buns?
• What percentage of your sales should your food cost be in order to be profitable?
• Do you need liability insurance?
• Where to get liability insurance at a reasonable cost
• How to keep hot food hot and condiments cold (for many hours in the HEAT)
• Should you steam your buns?
• How to answer customers who say you are too expensive
• When and how to give away free food • Should you sell at events?
• How to know how much food to take to events
• How to decide whether to do private events…and how to charge
• Where to shop for food items
• Where to shop for supplies items
• How to determine the best type of location FOR YOU
• How to find the right location by location type
• What kinds of signs/signage will you need?
• How to hire people to sell for you
• How to ensure employees are motivated to sell more and NOT motivated to steal from you
• How to find a commissary
• How to pass the health dept inspection
• How to evaluate whether Facebook will work for you in growing your business
• Do you need a website?
• How to market your business
• How to interact with customers
• How to use gloves effectively and efficiently
• How to manage inventory to avoid waste
• How to get free ice for your on-board cooler
• Where are the best places to buy:
a. Food items
b. Signs
c. Flags
d. Cooking supplies
e. Logo apparel
f. Logo design

I sure don’t know everything; but I know enough that I’ve sold over $300,000 of hot dogs in 3 years. I’ve owned 7 carts in two different states and had a number of successful employees selling for me. One of my specials was named “Best Hot Dog in the State” by Food and Wine Magazine.

HERE’S WHAT YOU GET –

The CART

The cart is a one-year-old Big Dog from Ben’s Carts. I’ve owned 7 carts, and this is my second Big Dog. I also had a Cater Pro from Ben, I built 3 carts from Steve’s E-Z Built plans and had a piece of junk from a company that shall remain nameless. (Remember when I said we spend the money when we know the least…? This is what happens we buy a “cheap” cart….a $3000 mistake ?)

In my opinion, the Big Dog is the best general purpose hot dog cat you can buy. Here are just a few reasons why I think that:
• It’s a workhorse. Solidly built. Will literally last forever.
• The parts that will eventually wear out (the burners, gas line, water heater) are of high quality and can be quickly sourced and easily replaced even if you are not too mechanically skilled. (and BTW, I am including a spare burner and gas line for you)
• The removable tow bar is genius! I can’t tell you how many bruises I’ve gotten on my legs from running in to the tow bar on my other carts. Ouch!
• A HUGE feature that many of us don’t know we need until we buy a cart without it, is INSULATION. And particularly the insulation between the burners and the on-board cooler (the one you will use to keep your meat cold). MOST carts either don’t have enough – or ANY – insulation. Just last week I was helping out a new slinger who just spent $3500 on a new cart last month. He hates the cart so much that he is going to try to sell it after using it just 7 days. One of the reasons is the lack of insulation. He burns himself every time he reaches over the firebox to open the cooler. And his cooler gets warm after just an hour of use!

• The Big Dog holds TWO propane tanks INTERNALLY. You will appreciate this fully the first time you run out of propane and don’t have a spare tank!

• There is a tremendous amount of on-board storage. I routinely carry 175 buns, napkin dispensers, gloves, deli sheets, bags, straws, lighters, spoons and forks and other misc supplies in my bread box. Awesome to not have to carry around additional storage containers!
• The optional flip top is fantastic compared to either individual pan lids that we have to remove 100 times a day, or flimsy roll-tops.

In addition to all the great features and options of my Big Dog, I also added a custom folding side shelf that I use to hold my condiments, deli sheets, napkins and point-of-sale reader to accept credit cards. (Check it out in the photos!) This is a great feature since if frees me from having to put all these items on a separate table. This cart also has 4 sinks, so it can be used in virtually any locale. (If your health dept requires less than 4 sinks, you can simply cover the extra sinks. I’ve done this in Florida…3 of the sinks have removeable plates over them)

Right now, Ben sells a new Big Dog equipped like mine for – $5,113. Big Dog cart – (if you become a Hot Dog Mafia member) – $4277
Hot Dog Mafia membership – $347
Flip Top – $287
Water heater and pump – $137
Battery – $25
3rd Wheel – $40
————————————–
Total – $5,113

If you were to buy this cart new I would congratulate you for making a wise decision. BUT…you can’t get one for at least 90 days (per Ben’s website) because, like so many things, inventory is tight due to supply chain issues. AND….if you buy from me, you will also receive ALL of the following PLUS the 10 hours of consulting!

CART ITEMS
• Heavy duty lock and cable for securing cart
• 2 chocks for securing cart wheels
• 3 Cart umbrellas (2 Vienna Beef, 1 generic)
• 2 Tarps for covering cart
• 4 24-count chip-clip racks
• 12 FIFO mustard/ketchup squeeze bottles
• Condiment caddy
• 2 napkin dispensers
• Cart cleaning solution and spray bottle
• Storage containers for forks/accessories/other
• 2 propane tanks
• Spare parts for gas line/knobs/gas fittings
• Tool kit • Condiment System – keeps 10 condiments chilled all day in Florida sun (mustard/ketchup/mayo/bbq sauce/onions/relish/coleslaw/cheese/sauerkraut/pickles)

SUPPLIES
• Laminator for making signs/menu pictures
• Pack of 100 laminating sleeves
• Onion dicer (makes a full quart of diced onions in 1 minute)
• 12 Cambro 1-quart containers w/lids
• 4 Dish tubs for storage/moving items to/from cart. (i.e. buns/meats, etc)
• 2 6-gallon water jugs
• Extra Pans (1/4, 1/9, ½)
• 52-Quart Roto-molded Cooler (Yeti type)
• 50-Quart Coleman rolling cooler
• Square Card Reader
• Square Bluetooth Chip/Card Reader ADVERTISING/SIGNS
• Feather Flags (including poles) – 3
• Extra 5-gallon concrete bases for feather flags – 2
• 24in x 36 in metal A-Frame sign holder (holds 2 signs) MY RECIPES
• Chili
• Chili that will be approved by Health Departments that don’t allow chili on hot dog carts
• Pulled pork
• Coleslaw
• Bacon Jam

DOUBLE BONUS! Complete “Instant Lemonade Business” – Everything you need to start selling Fresh-Shaken Lemonade (except lemons ?): This is terrific – and PROFITABLE – business in warm weather….. Here’s what you get:
• Lemon wedger (cuts lemons into 8 sections with a single stroke)
• Lemonade flag
• 60 inch lemonade table apron sign
• 200 cups with lids
• Recipe
• Demonstration of technique to make great lemonade every time
• Custom scoop for sugar (one scoop per serving)
• Ice scoop
• Straws

The cost for all of this is $4,900 – less than the cost of the cart itself. If you are within 1000 miles of Tampa, FL I imagine we can work out getting everything to you. Finally, Let me know if you’d like more pictures. All the best!

SELLER: Rick Hahn 
EMAIL: richardthahn@gmail.com

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