I worked a birthday party recently and served a bunch of really nice kids and their families. It was a great day. Hot, but still a lot of fun.
Tip: When you’re working a kiddie party bring a lot of ketchup and napkins 😉
After lunch was over the ladies and kiddies went back inside and my trusty ‘ol E-Z Built hot dog cart became the hangout of choice for the dads, which is not uncommon at these kinds of gigs.
They were a bunch of good dudes. We had a lot of laughs out in the driveway until the wives shagged ’em back in to watch the presents being opened.
Fun stuff. Thought you might want to see some pics.
-Steve
P.S. Want to know how to make an extra $100 cash on every party without doing any additional work? The secret is on page 57 of Carts of Cash.
Click the pic for a larger version.
Good stuff Steve,always a fun time at those events.
I think the ez built is a great cart! I finished mine in May and keep meaning to send some pictures of Hot Diggity. Being able to build the cart without ever having any prior building experience has given me a great sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. I wish I could convey what an empowering experience that was for me! Thanks for all your good work Steve!
P.S. I think you should construct some other things and film the process…Steve’s EZ built deck or tool shed or ice cream cart etc. Thanks again. MJ
You’re having way too much fun!
I guess it doesn’t take much to get guys enjoying each others company. Looks like a good day!!
How much do you charge to do a party birthday grand openings or any other type event? I have done a few auction and an art fest, but I just charged my regular prices. Had a good time at both events Thanks Jim OB
Hey Jim,
I usually charge $6 per head. For a typical family bash with thirty five people that’s $210. My profit margin is 70 percent so I pocket $147 cash for an hour and a half job.
And I usually get a piece of cake 😉
-Steve
Steve….You should have worn one of your “FREE Shirt Friday” Tee-Shirts….
Steve…Now that’s a nice Saturday gig. After doing an event like a car show or 4th of July County celebration this looks almost relaxing.
Quick question; Do you find it better to completely “build” their dog rather than let them add the condiments? I put on the chili, if they want it, and let them add their own condiments (ketchup, mustard, onions, slaw, pepper rings, chow-chow, kraut & pickle relish).
Jack
Nice, Always fun to see the pics. Sell ’em all Steve.
Love the pics. I’ve ordered the EZ built plan and thinking about using a old pop up trailer like the one posted a few days ago
Hey Steve,
We’ve been asked to do a few smaller events too and was wondering what the $6 per head includes? 1 dog, drink and chips or 2 dogs, drink & chips?
Looks like a lot of fun!
Thanks for posting your party rates. I don’t see your chips or drinks. What do you serve for the $6?
$6 gets each person one meal. Hot dog, chips, and drink. They can have a second dog if they want, but less than half come back for seconds because of the cake and snacks that the host usually provides.
-Steve
Just looks like a real good time.Thanks again Steve.
6 bucks for one meal! Call me crazy. That sounds like alot. Do people even get the soda and chips? Let’s not forget they are at home, couldn’t they pick soda and chips up from the pantry??
People aren’t paying for just food. They are paying for the experience. Every time a car pulled up the guests got out, looked up the driveway and said, “Cool! A hot dog cart!” Every time. The kids went nuts. And when it was over the host told me what a big hit it was.
I’ve said this 1,001 times: Never, ever compete on price. Sell an experience.
-Steve
Well said Steve, every now and then we need a reminder of that fact. Glad to see you still sling em!!!
Great job! And just what I was wondering about recently. A woman approached me at the beach and asked if I could handle a birthday party for about 8 kids. No Problem! It will be on my regular site so I told her just my regular prices and to get in touch with me a day or two ahead so I could get anything special they might want.
I was wondering how a private gig works on private property. Do you need permits for every town since health codes, at least in CT, vary from one to another. Anyone from CT that could help me on this one?
we have done 3 birthday parties and quoted a price drove to the home and set up. were the hit of the party people driving by were stoping to see what was in the driveway. got some great cake and all 3 times recieved at least a 75.00 tip had a great time and gained a bunch of new customers at our daily location
Jim and Kay
Jim’s right – a hot dog cart at the party totally blows people away. It makes the host look like the coolest Mom or Dad in the neighborhood. The kids go crazy when they see it. The word of mouth is always tremendous. The guests talk about it for a week afterwards.
Good job Jim and Kay – and nice tips!
-Steve
jay its showing the birthday person you care not amount or anything else just being there for the kid or person not details sheeeeeeeeeeeeeesh
Those guys were lucky to be hanging around an internet legend and hot doggin millionaire!
Sounds like you have a winning formula for kid’s parties! In the past months, I have been doing frat pool parties. My simple formula is to have the host tell me what and how much he wants to serve, I let him reimburse me for the cost of supplies/food, and charge $100 per hour. For today’s gig, I am booked for the first 3 hours of a 4 hour party. Start setting up at 3, serve between 4 and 7, get home by 8…
His real expense is the DJ. And most of the guests are already my die hard customers from Wednesday and Friday nights. Of course, if they clean me out early, I leave early…