Hot Dog Cart News

I got a nice email from HDCN subscriber Russ Hiltz. Russ is living the dream in Lafayette, LA. Here is his story in his own words…

Hi Steve!

I enjoy getting your e mails.  I have been reading your site and updates since a few months before I got my HDC and started business.

I have been in business for about 5 weeks, and have been blessed with great success so far! I have gone from 3 hour lunch weekdays making $50 to now grossing over $150 every day (open 11-2).  I am the only street vendor in a thriving downtown section of a sophisticated southern city of over 100,000.  My son and I come out on Friday and Saturday nights, and when the bars close, and there is no restaurant open, we sell out, grossing between $250 to $300.

My net is 85% of the gross.  I pay no rent for the best location possible.
There is a world of wonderful difference, being on a merchant’s private
property, and being on one of the 11 city permit locations.  I still display my
city permit, but need not renew it if I stay put.  The merchant says I add
“ambience to the facade”!!

If you have a chance, check out todays issue of the weekly Independent
(theind.com), Lafayette, Louisiana.  They did a nice piece about my hot dog cart
operation.  There’s even a video.

They even did another piece on my award winning BBQ sauce, which I sell from the cart, and offer as one of the many condiments!

Oh, and I placed an ad in the “Quik Quarter” weekly.  Cost me $25 for two
weeks.  I was at the cart when the lady called 2 days ago, asked did I want to
run the ad again, I said no, but later that day, 2 people who saw it booked me
and my HDC for their events, and they are happy to pay me my
private/civic/charity rate of $50 an hour, 3 hour minimum.   The commercial
rate is $100/hr.  Altogether 3 upcoming events away from my usual spot
downtown, one being a supermarket grand opening.  None more than 3 miles away!!

Oh, and from home to my downtown site is less than 3/4 of a mile!!

It’s all good!!

Usually, life is a never ending succession of opportunities not taken, or
realizing what one should have done, too late.

But maybe for once I am in the right place, etc.  I have never so enjoyed what
I do.  Yesterday, the Independent hit the news racks across south Louisiana,
and we were fairly swamped, non-stop.  Big crowds of nice folks conglomerating around my hot dog cart.  The shop owner loves it too.  And he, his family and staff all buy my food.  Starting today, we are starting an half hour earlier, 10:30.  I am tired of hungry, non breakfast eaters clamoring for Dawgs while my rig is warming up!!  When I tell them come back at 11, they usually wait and talk, or come back.  But sometimes, they split.

P.S. – speaking of Dale Carnegie, I am exercising my ancient mind, and actually
learning everyone’s name, and calling them by their names.  As DC said, the
sweetest sound we can hear is our names spoken with kindness. The other day, I rounded down on the price for a regular, she asked why, and I said it’s cuz she’s my best customer (I have many “best”!)  Do you think she walked away, delighted with her dawg, smiling ear to ear?!

A month ago, I saw “Harvey” for the ninetyninth time, and was reminded how
Elwood P. Doud (Jimmy Stewart) is sincerely interested in everyone, and treats
everyone with compassion and respect.  Learns their name, and invites them for dinner   Just like on the HDC!!

Steve, y’all have a blessed day!!

Russ Hiltz

Thanks for the great story Russ, and congratulations on your new business. Looks like you are very happy!

You can see Russ’s news paper coverage at The Independent Weekly