Comments on: How Much Food to Bring To Big Events http://www.hotdogprofits.com/blog/how-much-food-to-bring-to-big-events/ Hot Dog Cart Business Ideas, Tips, and Info from HotDogProfits.com Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:21:05 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 By: steve http://www.hotdogprofits.com/blog/how-much-food-to-bring-to-big-events/#comment-10024 steve Sat, 07 Jan 2012 02:35:08 +0000 http://www.hotdogprofits.com/blog/?p=1971#comment-10024 It's mostly for festivals. It’s mostly for festivals.

]]> By: Clark http://www.hotdogprofits.com/blog/how-much-food-to-bring-to-big-events/#comment-10023 Clark Sat, 07 Jan 2012 01:50:36 +0000 http://www.hotdogprofits.com/blog/?p=1971#comment-10023 Does the 4% rule apply to general selling. For example selling at a factory? Does the 4% rule apply to general selling. For example selling at a factory?

]]> By: Pete (in the UK) http://www.hotdogprofits.com/blog/how-much-food-to-bring-to-big-events/#comment-9576 Pete (in the UK) Tue, 29 Nov 2011 18:25:57 +0000 http://www.hotdogprofits.com/blog/?p=1971#comment-9576 I just did a simple local xmas event, expected 1000 people like last year, estimates were that 2000+ arrived. Sold out 1 hour before the end of the event, so I could have taken more, but it was a bigger risk of course. A big factor was the weather, it was dry & cool, previous years wet & windy. If I do the event again I will look to have a different setup, one where I have everything ready & another where the dogs are brought up to temp, in batches where I dont risk big losses or risk losing big sales. I just did a simple local xmas event, expected 1000 people like last year, estimates were that 2000+ arrived.

Sold out 1 hour before the end of the event, so I could have taken more, but it was a bigger risk of course.

A big factor was the weather, it was dry & cool, previous years wet & windy.

If I do the event again I will look to have a different setup, one where I have everything ready & another where the dogs are brought up to temp, in batches where I dont risk big losses or risk losing big sales.

]]> By: Bob http://www.hotdogprofits.com/blog/how-much-food-to-bring-to-big-events/#comment-9352 Bob Mon, 07 Nov 2011 16:01:40 +0000 http://www.hotdogprofits.com/blog/?p=1971#comment-9352 How much to pay for dogz per lbs, How much to pay for dogz
per lbs,

]]> By: Bob http://www.hotdogprofits.com/blog/how-much-food-to-bring-to-big-events/#comment-9348 Bob Sat, 05 Nov 2011 22:58:40 +0000 http://www.hotdogprofits.com/blog/?p=1971#comment-9348 Cost of the Dog? Kine of Dog? N-C 7 Cost $ 4.25 LBS Other All Beef Are 2.95 LBS, What are you Hot Dog Vender Paying For Dog;S bobmosssr@aol.com Cost of the Dog?
Kine of Dog?
N-C 7
Cost $ 4.25 LBS
Other All Beef Are 2.95 LBS,
What are you Hot Dog Vender Paying For Dog;S
bobmosssr@aol.com

]]> By: Don http://www.hotdogprofits.com/blog/how-much-food-to-bring-to-big-events/#comment-8620 Don Mon, 15 Aug 2011 19:52:21 +0000 http://www.hotdogprofits.com/blog/?p=1971#comment-8620 If you're like me, the transaction takes longer than doing the food up. I spent two days having my transactions timed loosely with a watch and wound up with 1.2 min per transaction. Add to that necessary restocking times and potty breaks and you have how many items you can sell in an hour. This seems to be the key number. Having 49888 hot dogs with you and a like number of folks that want to buy them is meaningless if you can only process 40 orders an hour. If you’re like me, the transaction takes longer than doing the food up. I spent two days having my transactions timed loosely with a watch and wound up with 1.2 min per transaction. Add to that necessary restocking times and potty breaks and you have how many items you can sell in an hour. This seems to be the key number. Having 49888 hot dogs with you and a like number of folks that want to buy them is meaningless if you can only process 40 orders an hour.

]]> By: Gary http://www.hotdogprofits.com/blog/how-much-food-to-bring-to-big-events/#comment-8273 Gary Tue, 12 Jul 2011 02:48:31 +0000 http://www.hotdogprofits.com/blog/?p=1971#comment-8273 Rick, 99% of all events I go to require up-front money. Some events I pay a year in advance. I`ve been doing this for 11 years now, it takes a while to get to know which events to keep, and those to dump. Don`t always believe promoters and their attendance numbers, when three people are standing in front of them, they see 7. Get to know your fellow vendors, they can help you immesely. Rick, 99% of all events I go to require up-front money. Some events I pay a year in advance. I`ve been doing this for 11 years now, it takes a while to get to know which events to keep, and those to dump. Don`t always believe promoters and their attendance numbers, when three people are standing in front of them, they see 7. Get to know your fellow vendors, they can help you immesely.

]]> By: Rich http://www.hotdogprofits.com/blog/how-much-food-to-bring-to-big-events/#comment-8237 Rich Mon, 04 Jul 2011 18:17:54 +0000 http://www.hotdogprofits.com/blog/?p=1971#comment-8237 QUESTION ON EVENTS: Tons of experience talking here I'm not even started yet just getting my feet wet. What I have heard talking to other vendors though is large events often charge up front fees before you even set up your cart. Hey not even near ready for that kind of event but my question how much should I pay, should I pay at all or is this a marketing rip off. I heard some woman say she paid $1000 sometimes $1500 up front to organizers but she insisted that merely guaranteed she would easily recoup the entrey fee and make a lot more bank besides. My question to you veteran vendors are up front event fees commonly encountered (possibly a good thing) or are up front organizer fees blatant exploitation of the unwary? Thanks to Steve, this thread is an invaluable source to a newbie wanting to avoid common the pit falls. Patrick C EXCELLENT post regarding prep tricks, cleanliness, dispensers and the turkey broiler I copied and pasted for further review :) Thank you guys best of luck to all, Rich. QUESTION ON EVENTS: Tons of experience talking here I’m not even started yet just getting my feet wet. What I have heard talking to other vendors though is large events often charge up front fees before you even set up your cart. Hey not even near ready for that kind of event but my question how much should I pay, should I pay at all or is this a marketing rip off.

I heard some woman say she paid $1000 sometimes $1500 up front to organizers but she insisted that merely guaranteed she would easily recoup the entrey fee and make a lot more bank besides. My question to you veteran vendors are up front event fees commonly encountered (possibly a good thing) or are up front organizer fees blatant exploitation of the unwary? Thanks to Steve, this thread is an invaluable source to a newbie wanting to avoid common the pit falls. Patrick C EXCELLENT post regarding prep tricks, cleanliness, dispensers and the turkey broiler I copied and pasted for further review :)

Thank you guys best of luck to all, Rich.

]]> By: Patrick C http://www.hotdogprofits.com/blog/how-much-food-to-bring-to-big-events/#comment-8203 Patrick C Thu, 30 Jun 2011 05:56:11 +0000 http://www.hotdogprofits.com/blog/?p=1971#comment-8203 A couple notes about large events, bring at least two helpers, one may have to make a Sams Club run. Plan for success bring a lot of product, even at 3 bucks you will be the least expensive food item on concession row. Set up condiment stands, buy pre-diced onions, use gallon mustard and ketchup dispensers with pumps. Swallow your artistic pride, mustard, ketchup, relish, onions only. Pre-freeze hotdogs that you wont sell within the first 6 hours of the event for food safety reasons. Set up a propane turkey fryer with water and and boil 200 or so if your event calls for it. If your buns are packaged like mine in 16 count packages; a pre=event trick is to take the buns out, separate and open them, put each bun in a hot dog boat, put them back in the package and twist tie. This can be a big time saver. Bring a towel, have a fan handy, do not sweat all over your product. Have carry trays available for large orders. Buy a napkin dispenser. Keep a smile and look in control. If you have to wait for product to finish boiling, grilling, or steaming your losing huge money. Product must be ready, Designate a cashier, prep/condiment person, dog slinger, Ive sold as many as 3500 dogs in a single all day event using this method. Best of Luck. PC A couple notes about large events, bring at least two helpers, one may have to make a Sams Club run. Plan for success bring a lot of product, even at 3 bucks you will be the least expensive food item on concession row. Set up condiment stands, buy pre-diced onions, use gallon mustard and ketchup dispensers with pumps. Swallow your artistic pride, mustard, ketchup, relish, onions only. Pre-freeze hotdogs that you wont sell within the first 6 hours of the event for food safety reasons. Set up a propane turkey fryer with water and and boil 200 or so if your event calls for it. If your buns are packaged like mine in 16 count packages; a pre=event trick is to take the buns out, separate and open them, put each bun in a hot dog boat, put them back in the package and twist tie. This can be a big time saver. Bring a towel, have a fan handy, do not sweat all over your product. Have carry trays available for large orders. Buy a napkin dispenser. Keep a smile and look in control. If you have to wait for product to finish boiling, grilling, or steaming your losing huge money. Product must be ready, Designate a cashier, prep/condiment person, dog slinger, Ive sold as many as 3500 dogs in a single all day event using this method. Best of Luck. PC

]]> By: Clancy http://www.hotdogprofits.com/blog/how-much-food-to-bring-to-big-events/#comment-8156 Clancy Thu, 23 Jun 2011 13:20:11 +0000 http://www.hotdogprofits.com/blog/?p=1971#comment-8156 Steve I have been selling novelty toys at fairs and festivals for sixteen years and hope to have my cart finished for next spring. The 4% rule seems very realistic. The promoters always lie is a very good statement for the new people. Mostly they say what they hope to have not real numbers.Talking to other vendors helps also not all of them consider you competition. Also do what you can afford rule is a good one my lite up swords generally sell out but i only buy what i can afford. This is a very good topic i have been wondering how food vendors do this and now i have a good idea. Thanks steve this is a great site. Steve
I have been selling novelty toys at fairs and festivals for sixteen years and hope to have my cart finished for next spring. The 4% rule seems very realistic. The promoters always lie is a very good statement for the new people. Mostly they say what they hope to have not real numbers.Talking to other vendors helps also not all of them consider you competition. Also do what you can afford rule is a good one my lite up swords generally sell out but i only buy what i can afford. This is a very good topic i have been wondering how food vendors do this and now i have a good idea. Thanks steve this is a great site.

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