Hey Steve,
I’ve been thinking about steady forms of income and have thought that factories during lunch might be the way to go. How would you suggest going about talking to the factories? Should I call and make an appointment first? Also, who should I talk to, someone in HR? I don’t know if you’ve ever had any experience with taking the dogs to a factory environment, but at the very least I know you would have some advise.
Thanks again in advance,
Nathan K.
***************
Hey Nathan,
Yes, factories represent a great opportunity for us doggers. You have a captive group of customers all in one place at one time.
A good strategy is to go to a different industrial park or factory each day. Go to the same ones on the same days so the employees get to know that Nathan the hot dog guy will be at their factory every Tuesday, for example.
To get permission to set up, just walk in and ask to see the HR person. Tell the receptionist that it’s about an employee perk that you want to provide for them. Dress nice of course and bring pictures of your set up.
Tell the HR person that you would like to provide a lunch alternative for the employees. Tell them that you can serve lunch right in the parking lot once a week so the employees don’t have to leave the premises. HR loves that because it cuts down on people returning late if they have to drive somewhere.
Then ask if the company might be willing to buy lunch for the employees once a week. HR is always looking for something to do to boost employee morale and a free lunch is always appreciated by the workers. Pitch it as an inexpensive benefit that makes management look good.
The great part about this tactic is that if the company is paying, twice as many workers will decide to eat at your cart that day. This not only doubles your sales, but builds your brand awareness in the community twice as fast.
Let me know how you do!
It’s share time slingers – what strategies, tactics, and pitches do you use to land industrial park or factory gigs? Let us know in the comments!
-Steve
For advice on getting started in the hot dog cart biz, click here.
It is so funny that you would bring this subject up. On Saturday I was trying to deside where I wanted to set up, so I desided to set up at my spot across from the hospital, had a good day too and beat the rain. Around 1100 a lady came up and got a hotdog and ask me for my number. Ok, Steve I already know how good looking I am but she wanted me to setup at her auction around the corner next month when they are going to have their annual big sale. I really don’t know how I do it but I have never had trouble finding a place to sale my dogs. Just a side note for Nathan and other doggers, check your health department rules because in my State “Georgia” you can only have two regular spots that you set up. I was told they do that because that way the health department can keep up with vendors. (You can always ask for an exception (-; . Every type of event has it own rules down here, you can find the rules online in Georgia and I assume in every state if you don’t have a good repoor with you health department personnel. It should also be noted that my spot across from the hospital is about a block from the Health Department.
The other thing that I will say is Nathan should try and get into one business/factory at a time; then work his way up to another, etc, never try and do do much too fast. Factories and business people talk to each other and word will get out about your product and service, plus you can use one to get a lead on the other, just ask the HR people if they can refer you to plant B, C, D. A free dog here and there to HR will never hurt.
Duggs Doggs
Good!! Good!!
Glad to hear of your continuing success Michael!
I really like what you said about not trying to do too much too fast, that and the bit about word of mouth being your best advertising.
Good!! Good!!
This is a great idea, but how do we deal with stablished lunch trucks territories and their unions.
Hey Steve,
I’ll stop by your office on the way back to the commissary from the Factory and give you, your family and any employees free Missouri Dawgs.
Got an idea of what could be a Missouri Dawg? Maybe something signifying that battle with Arkansas over that little square piece of land that dips down into Arkansas. Ha ha!
I asked a friend about that who had just been living in Missouri for a few years and was told about it. We stopped for a few days to visit her on our way to New Orleans from Colorado. By the way how far do you live from there. She lives just about dead center of it if my memory serves me right.
Don’t mess with the “boot heel”.
In addition to Steve’s suggestion, let people know that if they want to place a standing order for next week, they will be able to move through the express line. Write their order on a brown bag with name and amount $, fill the order and collect the money. Most have only ½ hour for lunch and this gets them fed quicker. Also, even though the front office has more time they can be more organized. Offer to deliver their call in orders to the receptionist. Let reception know the charges when they call in and let them collect your money. BTW, make sure the receptionist gets a free lunch.
Great ideas Jack!
I had a fellow vendor with a truck set-up that had gotten an ok to sell during lunchtime. Then the people who ran the vending machines inside the factory found out and that was the end their time there. Because the vending company had the rights to sell on the property. It is a fine line we vendors must cross at times
I have never heard of that happening before. A lot of slingers are working the industrial parks, don’t let this discourage you.
I like the employer paid part. Have $5.00 coupons they could give out as they see fit.If they want less, you pocket the change.If they want more, the employee pays the difference.
Yep.
When I do a gig like this, (lunch on the boss), I give the person in charge a roll of tickets, and they give the tickets out. 1 red ticket =’s 1 dog, 1 yellow ticket =’s 1 drink or bag of chips. I total up the tickets at the end, and walk away with a nice big check. It is the “KISS” method. When the employees run into me a Wal-Mart, they will always comment how they appreciated what we did, and ask when I was coming back.
Great method Paul!
We do factories. Usually they like you to do at least 2 shifts (1st and 2nd). Sometimes a third shift lunch. Most have a 1/2 hour so you do have to serve fast. At least a 2 person setup. Good luck.
Brent
Good advice Brent!
Just make sure you dont setup your dog cart at a dog factory…
we have one here, Best Sausage.
That’s funny! 🙂
Nathan, I’m from Yreka,Ca. and last winter I went to the wood mill located here. I put a package together with name,address,copy of my insurance. I even put a menu together…now workers get tired of just hot dogs so once a week I ran a special. Such as a french dip,next week pastrami with swiss cheese,next week Itailan meatball sandwich. I think you get the picture and anyway the workers went nuts and I did REALLY well. Good luck, Dennis Bada Bing Mobile Hot Dog Cart
Way to change it up!
Liked your article with factories.we”ve done factories .and have done well.a few things we learned was you need to be fast pre wrap buns have double condiment trays ect..and we even set a small table up w/condiments to move the line quickly. other things we did was bought a money changer and makes for quick change..our best gig was @ a blue jean factory…2 of us feed a shift in 15 min they had 1/2 hour lunch and made a quick $115.00 went to a local car was and sold the rest of meats in an hour and half for another $126 ..yes factories can due well ..we found one day aweek doesnt burn them out on your menu..and they loved us over the roach trucks thats another storie.. our menu was diferent than most carts we grilled thus allowing us to have Bratts. Itian Sausage,Polish Kiebasa, 3 sizes of hot dogs all beef of course and with the the Brats 2 sizes w/custom buns ….and of course potatoe chips and large varity of ice cold drinks…….thought we would share our experience with factories and hope this will help someone in trying factories
Awesome tips! Thanks Karon!!!
A good point about factories is that you can be busy in the afternoons, and near midnight if you want. Most factories have 2 or 3 shifts, and HR really loves to cater to 2nd and 3rd for their uncomfortable time shifts, sometimes they get extra perks, like extra pay and more lunches. If you are a night owl or can become one, try a night gig. Oh, another thing, the best factories to target are the ones with vending machines only, if they have a cafeteria it’s a bit harder but not impossible to get a good paying gig. And most of the time the cafeteria closes after 1st or 2nd shift, leaving 2nd shift and 3rd shift to the boring vending machines or their boring lunch they bring from home. I plan to cater more than hot dogs to factories, such as sloppy joes and tacos and more. Give factories a try.
Awesome advice Daryl. Thanks for commenting!