“Customers are the lifeblood of your hot dog cart”
Duh Steve.
Well it’s easy to say duh, but think about it. If you agree that customers are the lifeblood of your hot dog cart then what are you doing to get more of them?
We all love the “how-to” articles. You know – how to steam buns, how to mount a grill on your hot dog cart, how to make a Chicago Style hot dog. Learning new skills is all well and good.
But did you know that it’s possible to master all of these things and still go out of business? How? Because you don’t have enough customers.
Today we’re going to brainstorm a list in the comments section. Let’s see how many ways we can come up with to get more customers at our hot dog carts.
I’ll get us started, then I want you to run with it.
Ready? Set? Go!
-Steve
Punch card strategy. Make some punch cards with your business name, website, location, etc. Customers get one punch each time they buy a hot dog. When the customer gets 10 punches (or twelve, whatever you decide) they get a free hot dog.
Pass out these punch cards around town. Ask local businesses if you can place a few on the counter top near their cash register.
Tip: Pre-punch one hole. This little trick really increases response because the customer feels like they are already on their way to earning a free hot dog. They feel like they are already “invested” and they are much more likely to come to your cart.
I’ve done the punch cards and it does work. People get excited when there about to reach the free hot dog punch.
Yes indeed.
Well, we’re doing primarily festivals and events so they’re typically from those particular locations. The trick to festivals and events, which we are still learning is to find a fee that is palatable based on the estimated crowd size and the number of other vendors. We try to avoid vendor duplication. I attended an event one time where maybe 1,000 people showed up and we were one of 17 food vendors. Needless to say customers were certainly needed and having learned from that event we try to do more due diligence before an event.
One thing I am trying to get kicked off here in Rome, GA is having the recreation authority consider utilizing part of a local well known park to create a food truck friday event or something like that. Our customers then will be local for the most part that want to experience such a thing.
We have the ability for people to register at our website but our locales are more transient in nature than at a fixed location. Plus we are on Twitter and Facebook so we utilize those outlets to help get the word out. Times are changing however, and I am also looking for a potentially semi-permanent spot that makes sense for us.
Charlie Hehn
Thanks Charlie. Good stuff!
1. Get the square and take credit cards.
2. Get a website
3. Give-aways. A “customer appreciation drawing once a week. They bring in others with them.
4. Be kind to people. Random acts of kindness get the best word of mouth.
And above all, keep a clean cart, wear gloves and chat with people. They not only remember, but tell others who get curious.
All great tips Robin!
Word of mouth is an excellent way to drum up new customers as I have seen on post my return customers are bringing with them their buddies. The numbers continue to climb so I can’t complain. I also use Facebook to let customers know of my locations and which specialty dog will be featured for the week. The 2 biggest things to attract more customers is 1. Be consistent and 2. Serve the very best food with excellent customer service. Right now I’m taking a major hit with consistency because I’m having issues with my truck but it will all work out in the end. Hope this helps.
Hope you get it sorted out quickly!
I’ve used the punch card approach with my business cards and it worked very well (10 dogs got a free one). A flyer with a coupon attached and left on windshields might be
pretty good….a daily (weekly?) special posted on your website as well as signage on
your cart works well too! SELL EM’ ALL!
Check local ordinances before flyering windshields. Some places it’s OK, others you will get a ticket. But it works if you can do it. Thanks Larry!
what i did was print up about 50 t shirts and gave them away to the first 50 customers of course it was a little pricey but the returns were overwelming and then my t shirts were all over town and of course when i see one i ask that person have not seen you at the cart latley and ask how r u doing hope to see you at the dog cart soon. this has always worked then i have another one about 6 weeks later and then the program ends i should have 100 new customers and then there friends so i figured that i have about 150 new customers and my shirt all over town make sure that you have a snappy shirt for someone to where i made 50 xl it is just the way i did it have fun
i will be moving to Nebraska and wonder if anyone knows the health laws in eastern Ne. if so could you email me what you know thanks streetwarrior115548@msn.com
good luck
Awesome promo Rick!
With T-shirts you can give them a discount (free can of soda or water) when they ware the shirt to the cart to eat.
We use the card, facebook , and foodTruckins. Check them out, they show your location, serving time, and send it out on twitter. Works well for us.
Thanks Steve
Thanks Bob!
If Persistancy Cleanliness Originality and Good Personality All Hold True !!! All of Us “Hot Dog Slingers” Will Own This Planet Before Were Thru !!! “Hot Dog Mike” Keep on Slinging !!!
Hot Dog Mike is in the house!!!
Passing out flyers to surrounding businesses with your menu and phone number so they can call ahead. Even delivery if it is feasible for you.
Right on Larry!
Make up Plastic 2 x 3 , 2 sided signs that fit into a wire H bracket that you shove in the ground, (Cheap). Put 6 signs within a 1/8 th of a mile in the vicinity of your cart, ( Part of your set – up). This helps direct and drive traffic your way. Sign can say any thing you want! 2 for 1 Combo anything, even FREE with your own fine print.
Next. Hold a EATING CONTEST at the event your at….Car Dealerships love this action.
you bring some plastic toy gift that they get. Front of the dealership against the parts and service, guys love competition. Schools, teachers against coaches, Festivals you name it, are you feeling my drift…. Please always remember this: I can always make more money than you at the same location, It’s my Tip Bucket that works as hard if not harder than me….Gotta go, but I got more
joe
Thanks Joe!