Hi Steve,
Check out these menus I had made from one of your 50 cool hot dog cart menu templates. I have a friend who works in the mail room of my former employer (yeah…the one who laid me off) for a contract printing company and he cranked these out for me on a plotter and laminated them as well.
You’ll notice that I left off the prices because I can write on the laminated surface with erasable markers. That works out great when I’m going from event to event and adjusting the prices.
Click here for a larger image
I used the ‘surfer’ template because that goes along with my business theme.
I had him make 2 signs because I don’t currently take credit cards but may start pretty soon so I have a sign that suits cash or credit both.
The price to make these signs…An original Italian Combo from Jersey Mike’s.
Don’t know if you’ve ever had a Jersey Mike’s sub but if you have one in town you GOTTA try one. They have locations all over the country and originated on the Jersey Shore in 1956.
I’m off to Home Depot to pick up some 1/4″ mounting board to attach the sign to so that I can lean it against my cart like the one I have now.
I will have to retire my 3 1/2 year old sign which has weathered rain, snow and wind and is getting a little tired…lol
Later…
Bob Mickells, Hot Dog Profits Premium Member
Suncruiser Dogs ‘n’ More,LLC
www.suncruiserdogsnmore.com
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I love your menus Bob, they came out great. I also love your idea to laminate them so you can easily change your prices. Brilliant!
I also see that you are using the free website that my marketing team built for you. Between the website and the menus you are really developing a brand. That’s one of the keys to being “memorable” which is directly related to the amount of repeat business you get.
Great job Bob!
-Steve
P.S. If anyone wants a free website for their hot dog biz just contact me and let me know. We’re still giving them away.
When I had my price signs made I had the printing made big and clear enough to read from across a two lane road. I red somewhere that you get up to 7-10 seconds for people walking the area (fair,concert,art show,etc) to read your signage. I have had a number of people tell me that the easy to read pricing is always welcome. A lot of vendors only put the prices at the window and so you see the cost after waiting in line and are ordering. After all how many people will pay $7.00 for a corn dog or funnel cake if the price was well displayed?? I have a number of customers that really like the cost easy to read and have the money out before hand (makes my job easier). Although in all fairness I must point out that I only have a five item menu. Sell em’ all
Good points. You are right on about large, reasonable signage but I apply that to your business name and logo.
I believe in showing massive value before pricing whenever possible. Here’s how that works…
You may be selling a truly awesome gourmet hot dog that your regular customers can’t wait to pay $4 for day in and day out, but if someone new is walking by and sees the price before they see what they get you may lose them.
There’s nothing better for sales than watching the guy at the front of the line turn around and walk past you with an unbelievably creative and tasty hot dog. That’s when you understand that this $4 hot dog is a LOT different than the shriveled green weenies on the roller grill in the gas station.
I am meaning to contact you on the software the website and now these menus just been busy,really could use some help getting myself out there and advertise,call you soon Steve thanks and this weather is killin me……
Getting your name out there is critical. I’m ready to help you promote your hot dog biz when ever you are. 636-399-2460 or click here to contact me via email.
I’ve got a great strategy for those who haven’t opened for business yet. It’s a way to get a ton of people to show up on your opening day instead of going out there unknown and standing around all by yourself.
No charge for this one.
i like your menus.
1 adjustment that i have found helpful to increase my profits is switching from can soda to bottle soda. In my area i have found that i can buy the generic canned soda for really cheap, except NOBODY WILL BUY IT. therefore i have to buy named brand soda for roughly .31 cents a can when its not on sale. I sell them for the same price of $1.00 a can for a profit of .69 cents. (not including ice and other things to cool them). But when i go to bottled soda , they cost me roughly .60 each, for name brand, when they arent on sale. When they do go on sale i stock up, however i am easily able to charge $2.00 each for these, making $1.40 per bottle. Its roughly the same except instead of giving me a dollar, they give me 2! this also allows me to charge 2.00 for a bottled water, which we all know is the most profitable thing on the cart!!
Great strategy Beau! I’m all about ways to show my students that they don’t have to compete on price alone. Thank you!!!
Very nice and very professionally done. How much do you suppose it would cost for something like that without connections? I really, really, really like your idea of hand-writing in your prices. Thanks for sharing your idea. BTW, Harbor Freight has plastic saw-horses on sale for $10. They are light, durable and make great sandwichboard signs to point where your cart is located. I’m buying 2 …. one for each intersection that my cart is parked between.
Thanks again BobDog.
Richard Strawder Premium member
“Good Dog” catering and party
Central Florida
I have those saw horses Richard. They are a bit flimsy for using as actual saw horses but they would be PERFECT for sandwich board signs. Awesome idea!
And thanks for being a Hot Dog Profits Premium Member!!!
SAWHORSES! I NEVER THOUGHT OF THAT! Great idea for a 4-way stop! But that’s a lot of extra cargo and my car is topped as it is. Maybe I can find a way to work with that though.
Thanks again HDCN!
What a great topic Steve! I’ll be doing my Freedom Ride fundraiser in three weeks being held at a huge Harley shop and need some “biker” hot dog names. Any sugestions out there? This is in support of AZ soldiers and their families! BTW your menus rock! I’m having fun just going through them all. Thanks.
hi steve i am all most ready to open my hot dog trailer will send pic soon i will need to become a hdp premium member soon i have all of the old sys books and dvds but need the new things you have but need one more week of cash flow. thanks steve
I changed your email subscription Tom. Can’t wait to see you inside HDP Premium!