The following is a guest post by Jim Pell…
When I had my Hot Dog Cart in New York, the winter was just as good as the rest of the year, in fact I had some record setting days during winter because the other vendors closed for the winter months, my customer base grew and most became regulars year round.
My customers are New Yorkers, New Yorkers love their hot dogs. New Yorkers are HOT DOG CONNOISSEURS. I set up in 10 degree weather and colder. Maine people are a hardy bunch I have no doubt Beth would do business during winter, if she serves a quality product is consistent and reliable.
I bought an old postal truck for $500.00 wheeled the cart inside during winter, cut a serving window, counters and a swing up awning, when the heat from the cart wasn’t enough I fired up a Mr. Heater propane heater, it got so warm in the truck I worked in a short sleeved white restaurant shirt, with the windows open. Appearance is important, I always wore a white restaurant shirt, never just a t shirt or a muscle shirt.
The town workers were steady customers they would make sure my spot was plowed before I got there, all it cost me was a few free drinks every once in awhile I made a deal with the local car wash, on my way home I’d stop by and they would hit the truck with steam, had the cleanest vehicle in town, cost me a 2 chili dogs and a 12 oz can of coke daily.
Consistency is the key in this business, not only with your food, you MUST be at your spot when your customers expect you to be there, my customers knew they could count on me, that’s why in one year my cart became the busiest in town. I’m fast but pumping out 400-500 hot dogs daily in 3-4 hours along with drinks, chips, my wife’s homemade meatball subs and chili served in a cup with a package of Lance Crackers was no longer a one man operation, I had to cut in another burner to keep up with the demand, my wife quit her job and came to work with me. I got so busy my bread man, snack man, and Arnolds driver delivered to my spot instead of my house.
I swear by Boars Head 7/1 natural casing dogs and Arnolds restaurant buns, Arnolds is a hearty bun that can stand up to any toppings. I only served Brand Name Quality Products, they cost more but it’s well worth it in my opinion, never any off brand soda or snacks.
I’m out of the business now but still have thoughts of starting up again, once this business get’s into your blood it’s there forever.
Too many people think it’s just buying a cart and supplies and BAM ! they’re going to make big bucks, too many fail because they don’t realize what’s involved, they don’t realize the commitment it takes, that’s why there’s so many used carts for sale.
People who don’t know hot dogs, what kind of hot dog to use for boiling, steaming, cooking in the round or split and grilling them, should do their homework before investing any money.
Common sense should dictate them knowing they need permits, starting without the proper permits and permission is just plain stupid and they shouldn’t complain when they’re shut down and run through the ringer especially from the Health Department when they try to do it the right way.
I sold my cart and truck to a local, a regular customer, he saw the volume I was doing, I told him don’t change a thing, I even offered my wife’s chili recipe, something that’s hardly ever done, he refused, he also refused me staying with him for a week or two until he felt confident, he refused. After a month or so he switched to an off brand 10/1 hot dog, not a natural casing dog, cheap supermarket buns, off brand chips and soda. Two weeks after I sold the business I moved to South Carolina. One day I got a call from a friend informing me the guy went out of business, he lasted 4 months.
-Jim Pell
Editor’s note: Jim’s idea for converting a used mail truck into an enclosed hot dog cart is pure genius. If you don’t already have a cart to put inside it, or if you don’t want to tie up your only cart in this manner, there is an alternative. Many customers of mine have used the information in my E-Z Built Hot Dog Cart Video and Plans package to convert trailers, pop up campers, and RVs into mobile food vending units. We show you how to make steam tables, install fresh and waste water tanks, hook up the plumbing and electrical systems, and more. Instead of building the equipment into a hot dog cart frame, it’s even easier to install it in a trailer or RV. Presto – you’ll have a stand-in unit that will keep you dry and toasty all winter long. Click here to get started.
Love the ideal of using a old Mail Truck. Any suggestions on how to find one?
Thanks,
Bill
I have to agree with Jim when he says do your research. Many of times have I heard “you have my dream job”. What they see if us out there for a few hours, but never take in fact the time it takes to get ready, not only when you do own a cart, but also to get ready to open. People dont see the expenses that are involved to owning your own business, nor the involvement and all of the government requirements.
As Jim has said and I tell people this so many times, do your research. Talk to others in the business and talk to other professionals.
i am very intrigued to hear other cold weather dogging experiences. this is my first year dogging, and so far the coldest its gotten is the low 40s here in oklahoma. any and all tips and tricks are appreciated.
Beau, where do you sling in Oklahoma? I will stop by and check out your dogs.
Jim, I have puchased a used GMC van that when it was made new it had a 7’x10′ box rear section. An electrical contractor used it to work out of with his supplies. I am just now in the process of making this rig into a Hot Dog cart/wagon. The box has a 28″ sliding door on one side and 2 doors that open the rear completely. The ceiling is 6′, my head just touches. I purchased Steve’s E-Z Built Cart Video & Plans package, this has given me what I need to infill and setup this for my Hot Dog business. I wanted to be able to work year round. I live down the road from Steve a few hundred miles, Springfield, Mo, it can get very frosty here in the winter months. My plans are to be ready to go in a couple of months, just in time for cold weather. I have been researching this business for several months. I am semi-retired, still need to make some money to spend on my granddaughter. She is 8 years old and goes to a private christian school, and I help pay for it. I am naming my business after her “Audrey’s Hot Dogs”. I am excited about opening up for business. I kinda planned opening in the winter months so I could work the bugs out when business is not so demanding. Thanks for the nice article about using the postal truck, makes feel better about my project.
Jim Whitworth
Nice to live on the west coast of FL. But we have are challenges.
Loved this article Thanks Jim. Yes, the Mail truck is genius.
Also Steve on the Editors note this is really been my thinking how to adapt your cart technology to a trailer for a stand in cart. I’m in the process of getting a trailer now. We have spent the last two years working outside in very cold and extreme heat. I’d really like to use your information on getting my trailer going.
Thanks for putting this out. When the student is ready the master appears.
Also have to thank Jim for his insights of quality and consistency. Too bad his buyer ignored all the help offered to him.
I intend to finish and LAUNCH my cart this winter.
I figure if I can survive after retiring from the music biz over the winter months, the summer will be a breeze!
How’d it go? I am trying to startup here in TN. Was wondering if I could just “hibernate” through the winter 🙂
Most of us in cold climates shut down when the weather gets bad, but if you can stand the cold you will make big bucks. Hot food sells great in cold weather.
Great idea Jim. Just curious. How did you have the cart facing in the truck? With the bread box in first? In that case, did you serve off the back or a side window? Thanks!
Oh, also, what was the raised roof for? Head room?
You can locate vehicles for sale in your area by contacting your closest USPS Vehicle Maintenance Facility. A list of facilities with their addresses can be found on the All Government Police Auctions Web page: allgovauctions.com. Maintenance facilities are listed alphabetically by state and city with the contact phone numbers.
Read more: Where to Buy a Used Postal Van | eHow.com Link
And check Ebay !
Really a cool idea for sure !!
OHH and I forgot…..
HAPPY HOLLOW WIENNIE to all you slingers !!!!
I forgot too – Happy Halloween everyone!
-Steve
Great article!! In southeastern Virginia we always say that if you don’t like the weather, just wait a minute. I’ve had lots of people ask me when I shut down for the winter and I simply reply “I don’t” (other than some time off around Christmas).
I found that in my first year which ends the end of November, my sales were better in February than in July. There turned out to be some unseasonably warm days in February which lead to nice sales.
If you want to track daily weather data for your area, check out the archives at Weather Underground at http://www.wunderground.com/
P.S.
And Jim is correct about consistency and being in your spot every day that you can. I found that because I was out there in the winter, a lot of people who drove by and finally had a chance in warmer days to get out of their vehicles finally did and have been steady customers.
Hey Steve,
Will you please post a video on how to properly steam a hot dog bun? I can’t get it right. I’m not sure if my pan configuration is right. I use the Vienna buns. I read on some sites that you need to place the bread box in the steam table. Any thoughts?
It’s hard to bring in more than $200. a day if you don’t brand yourself! I make 2 kinds of chili. One is spicy, the other not so much. I found that if I put 1 teaspoon of ranch dressing with my homemade chili, my sales quadruple ! I saute my avacados with my onions n butter and all the kids bring their mom n dad back ! Simple, don’t sell your tastebuds, speak to the masses by only investing $8.00 more per month.
how or where does a person find a used mail cart??????????
Winter in Oregon has its advantages. Here we have many Christmas tree farms. Hay rides, wreaths, Santa Claus, hot cocoa, u-cut trees, and hot dogs. I just finished two weekends at a Pumpkin Patch. Seasonal events are great because customers are having fun, usually with family. Happy Holidays to all.
This will be my first winter working. How does everyone handle the cold, especially the cold wind?
Hi Steve
I live in ct. I have been working my cart since april and it has been fun.
1. i try to work mon-fri but lost days to rain and winds. it does not make sense to me to work when you are in a wind tunnel and can not put up umbrella or sighns.
2. how to keep soft buns when its cold out but you can’t steam them for unsteady customer flow, they turn to mush waiting.
any suguestions i’m trying to work most of winter.
thanks stan
Hi Steve
Well I hope this helps you
but I wrap my buns in foil and put them in my steamer
and they stay really well. hope it helps??
Thanks!
Hi Steve, how do the new yorkers steam buns on a push cart without a box or electric steamer Any suggestions need help Little Debbie from NC
Hi Stan.
I have the classicl look cart from American Dream. The dry storage under the burners is ideal for warming up the buns and keeping them soft. I also have a spare tray that I drop the buns[s] into will I go thru the order chat and gets them plenty warm. I’m in Oregon and also suffer from wind and rain; I bought a 10′ umbrella from Lowes and relocated the holder to just behind the pans and cut it off 6″ shorter. I hang my banners around underneath the umbrella so it blocks the wind and rain.
Poppa.
I got thermals and good warm boots / hiking socks they really help with the wind and rain.
I also wear a goosedown parka over the top of everything.
Tommy
Tommy
Sounds like a trick idea Jim, But with two gas applinces going,, how did you keep from affixiating yourself? As I was going to order a new trailer last week the manufacturer said it must be electric or I’d get closed down. Did you have an exhaust and make up air by chance?
Hi,
Could a mail truck be converted into a hot dog cart?
Yes indeed. Our E-Z Built Video and Plans shows you how to build everything you need to outfit a mail truck (or any other trailer, camper, step van, etc.) into a hot dog slingin’ machine. You can get it here: http://BuildAHotDogCart.com
Here is a story on a guy who converted a mail truck into a hot dog truck.
https://hotdogprofits.com/blog/is-winter-hot-dog-cart-vending-good-ask-jim/