Hey Slinger, want to break out of the $2 hot dog rut and get $3, $4, or more for your dogs? The key lies in “signature” hot dogs and photo menus.

I just got an email from a Hot Dog Profits reader in Bellingham Washington who uses both of these tactics extremely well. Read on and learn how to double the price of your hot dogs in a way that makes your customers happy to pay you more!

Chicago Dogs – A Hot Dog Cart With a View!

Steve,

I notice all your posts regarding everyone’s dog cart setups. Some of them are kind of cool, but I haven’t seen any that enjoy the setting that I do up here in Bellingham, Washington.

I get a view of the ocean and the islands all day long. Sometimes I can watch the sailboat races from my stand as well.

I have attached a picture of my setup, which does Chicago Style food. We do Italian Beef sandwiches, brats, Polish, and a variety of dogs. All products are Vienna Beef and are imported from Chicago. I also attached a picture of the Hawks Dog.

The Hawks Dog has become a local favorite along with the Italian Beef sandwich. I start with smoked bacon chunks and mozzarella with a Vienna Firedog. It is then topped with hickory smoked bacon mustard and Mediterranean feta cheese.

I operate one stand right now, but have two more coming after Christmas and will be operating three by Spring.

Take care,

Frankie,
Chicago Dogs

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Wow Frankie, that view is spectacular! Operating a hot dog cart is fun and rewarding in and of itself, but to be surrounded by that kind of natural beauty is icing on the cake.

Having grown up in Chicago myself, you are speaking my culinary language. Italian Beef sammich – yum! And Polish from Da Coach, Iron Mike himself. Nice! (By the way, as you can see in Chris’s email Chicagoans don’t say “sausage” after “polish”. We just say, “Gimme a polish”.  But if you are talking about Italian sausage then we do say “Italian sausage”. I have no idea why, but that’s how we say it.)

Frankie, your Hawk Dog sounds ridiculously delicious. But your presentation is what really deserves the kudos!

Listen up slingers – “Signature” dogs are all the rage and command much higher prices. Naming each hot dog on the menu conveys a sense of exclusivity. Whereas there are any number of places that you can get a hot dog with mustard, onions, and cheese, you could be the only one in town that sells the “Wisconsin Lumberjack”.

The second benefit of signature dogs. Giving a hot dog a name makes it memorable and easy to communicate. That increases word of mouth advertising. People will say things like, “I had the Big Rascal yesterday at JimmieDog. I think it’s the most awesome hot dog on their menu! You gotta try it.”

Photo Menus Rock. The next step is to take a nice high resolution photo of each of your signature hotdogs and have a picture menu made up. This is critical if you want to command the highest price possible. People make a buying decision within seconds of approaching your cart. If they can actually see the delicious finished product they will be much more inclined not only to buy but to pay top dollar. (Check out Frankie’s photo menu in the photos below.)

So name all your hot dog creations and make a photo menu to display them. Folks love it!

Thanks for the pics Frankie and good luck with your business expansion plans. Keep us posted!

Sell ’em all!

-Steve