Steve,

I have a couple questions, please!

As a newbie…Have you ever done a survey to determine what your readers do
about going to the restroom while working their carts? Do they leave their
cart?  Who watches it while they are gone?  Have they ever had any problems
when they leave; theft, etc.?

What do all of the women do that seem to be in the industry?  What about at night, outside of a bar nightclub, etc OR an event/festival?

It certainly determines your location for selling…doesn’t it?!  Just curious…

Thanks!

Buddy-

OK readers, let’s hear how you handle this delicate situation. Comments!

Here’s a great alternative…

HDCN reader Steven Pruner just alerted me to this condiment tray for $17.00 – WOW!

If you need one, or think you might need one down the road, Click Here to get yours today.

That’s a really great deal. Don’t snooze – you might lose.

Thanks again Steve P.

-Steve

UPDATE: 9/2/09  I just got an email from Larry’s grandson Nick Moreland. He’s the artist who created this masterpiece. Apparently Larry emailed me pics of the cart before the murals were finished. They were so good that I didn’t notice, but Nick sent me pics of the finished work. It’s even better, if that’s possible. I swapped out the old pics for the new ones, so take a second look and be amazed.

***********************************************************************************

I’m totally blown away…

Totally.

Check out this E-Z Built Hot Dog Cart covered with custom hand painted murals. If you are from Chicago (like I am) you will be sure to recognize these scenes. I don’t mind admitting that tears came to my eyes when I saw these famous scenes from my old home town gracing the sides of a hot dog cart built by one of my customers.

This is why I do what I do here at HotDogProfits.com.

I’d like you to read the email sent to me by Larry and Ruth, owners of this rolling work of art.

Hello Steve,

My wife and I are both retired. We were looking for ways to generate some extra cash. Our daughter works for a large insurance company and kept telling us she got a lot inquiries about coverage on a hot dog cart.

So after ignoring that for 4 months I decided to look into it. I ordered your book and video one night and thought I could build it without much trouble. But I wanted it to stand out from other carts or its just another hot dog cart, not that that’s bad. We are quite proud of it, what do you think?  We finished cart last week and got all the permits.

Hope you like the pictures. I was thinking of building one with the St. Louis Arch on the back do you think their would be any takers?

Thanks,

Larry and Ruth, Patriots Hot Dogs

Larry and Ruth – you made my year!!!

I hope everyone enjoys these pics as much as I do, and if you have a finished E-Z Built Hot Dog Cart I want to see your pics too!

And you all need to leave comments for Larry and Ruth – they deserve it!!!

-Steve

We set a new record for the number of comments in a single post – 148!  Don’t you have anything better to do?

Just kidding. I love it! You guys are the best. And when I say guys , I mean it in a non-gender specific sense. Because fortunately, half of you aren’t.

Guys, that is.

Anyhoo, I had a really hard time picking a winner so I did what I always do when faced with a very difficult decision.

I bent the rules.

I picked three. You each win a pair of chip clips, courtesy of HotDogProfits.com.

Third place goes to the workhorse. Funny or not, you posted more comments than anyone else (yes, I got a laugh out of them).  Jim -  you’re a winner!

Second place goes to the most creative online name. Dog and Coney Show (that cracked me up – very creative) – you’re a winner.

And first place goes to the comment that made me giggle for most of yesterday evening, “Honey do you think this house makes my bun look bigger?” Truly funny stuff Rick, aka The Dogfather.

You’re each getting a pair of chip clips. Congratulations.

I’ll send each of the three wieners an email today asking for your shipping address.

This was awesome!

-Steve

This is awesome – I LOVE stories like this!

I just got an email from Mike Butler in Michigan. Mike just got his hot dog cart up and running and he’s enjoying success right off the bat.

Steve,

I finally got some pictures running my cart and my mother taking money for me, at one of the local factory in my area. I’m starting to get busy now. I just wish I started this a few months earlier.

I have three days a week at regular spots now and my weekends are normally at small town events around this area.I also just booked a big motorcycle event coming up in a few weeks, That’s going to be a blast.

Well keep up the great interviews I really enjoy them. its nice to hear how people are doing in there hot dog business.

Mike
BUTLER’S HOT DOGS
southern Michigan

Mike – take some time to ingrain this moment in your memory.  When you look back on it, it will be one of the proudest times of your life – the summer you started your own business.

The hardest part is behind you. Now pour on the steam and you’ll be pleasantly surprised at where your business is at a year from now.

Let’s hear it for Mike in the comments people.

Way to go brother dogger. GREAT JOB!!!

-Steve

Joel has a long history in the manufacturing sector, including RVs, custom vans, and now mobile food vending carts. If it has wheels under it, Joel has probably been involved in some shape or form.

After retiring, Joel got a hot dog cart and fell in love with the business. This naturally led him to dust off his manufacturing mojo and he started producing his own line of carts.

DreamMaker is now one of the largest hot dog cart manufacturers in the US, shipping carts all over the world.  Joel is always available to take your questions and he makes his staff available as well, so you can be assured of getting the answer you need.

Whether you need a small cart to get started with, or a full walk-in mobile kitchen, Joel can set you up.

Visit his super pretty web site at www.DreamMakerHotDogCarts.com or better yet, give him a call at (800) 408-1802 and please tell him Steve sent you.

Click the link below to listen online or right click to download the MP3.

Hot Dog Cart Radio – Joel Goetz of Dream Maker Hot Dog Carts

-Steve

Follow me on Twitter

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

Here’s some video of me and the E-Z Built Hot Dog Cart working my annual block party last Saturday. If you don’t know my story, I started, grew, and sold a successful hot dog cart business using carts that I built myself. When I sold “King Weenie Hot Dogs” I signed a non-compete agreement which prohibited me from selling hot dogs for one year. I used that year to start HotDogProfits.com.

I had a blast getting back in the saddle and slingin’ some tubesteak. Hope you enjoy the show and please comment below!

-Steve

It’s THIS WEEKEND, so don’t lollygag or you’ll miss it. Here’s the email I got…

Steve,

Can you help me???  We would like to hire the man
or woman and the hotdog cart for the weekend.THIS
Weekend.and if the price is right it will most
likely be for Friday, Sat, Sun and Monday.

We are a Honda Car Dealership in Buena Park,
California…right down the street from Knots
Berry Farm.

I REALLY HOPE to hear from you soon.Thanks

Sincere Kind Regards,

Judi Seer

Customer Relations Manager
Buena Park Honda

Contact info:

email:  Judi Seer

Buena Park Honda
6411 Beach Blvd
Buena Park, CA 90621
(800) 577-8382

Their Lake Dogs floating concession stand is accommodating hungry boaters this summer on Lobdell Lake. The couples serve hot dogs, nachos, chips, candy, pop, bottled water and ice cream from Uncle Ray’s Dairyland in Fenton.

They outfitted a 16-foot pontoon boat with a propane-fired warmer for Koegel Viennas and Flint-style coney sauce and cold storage for the frosty treats and beverages.

The 50-horse engine moves the food craft smartly around 545-acre Lobdell Lake’s many inlets and lagoons.

Chris Gocha, 29, and brother Jeremy, 31, say the idea may have been planted when both worked at Hungry Howie’s near the lake during their high school days.

“People used to say they wished there was some way to get a pizza delivered out on the lake,” Jeremy Gocha said.

With the official blessing of the Genesee County Health Department, the Gochas launched their marine enterprise the third weekend in June.

Occasional showers the first two weekends curtailed the hot dog express’ time on the lake, but the balmy July Fourth weekend was a bonanza for the young entrepreneurs.

“We sold more than 600 hot dogs over the three days,” Jeremy Gocha said. “The boats stacked up around us waiting to order. It was great.”

On busy days, it is best to phone in orders, he added. The number — (810) 938-7806 — is prominently displayed on the boat.

The brothers and their wives each work a shift on a typical day. Chris Gocha’s wife, Danyle, 26, and Jeremy’s wife, Alisha, 28, both hairstylists, work together.

During good weather, the wives will take the boat out about noon Friday, yielding to their husbands when they get home from their jobs. They are back out for most of Saturday and Sunday.

“We learned it was more harmonious all around if Danyle and Alisha worked together instead of individually with us,” Chris said. “They think we boss them too much.”

With its tiki bar look, the USS Lake Dogs gets requests for adult beverages such as margaritas and beer. “We tell people they have to provide those things. We just do food,” said Chris.

The couples have been so encouraged by the response to their unusual concession concept that they plan to expand next summer. They say they will outfit a second boat to serve busy Lake Fenton and may even build another to take to water-based events around the state.

“People get a kick out of seeing us, and we have a lot of fun doing it,” Chris said. “This is our summer to learn. Next year, Lake Dogs should really take off.”

With their day jobs and the new business occupying all their time, the couples have called on backup from family members. Danyle Gocha’s mother, Carol Cooper, recently spent an entire day cleaning Danyle and Chris’ home and doing their laundry.

“I told them I wasn’t doing this every week,” Cooper said. “But I’m glad for them. What they are doing is awesome.”

original story at mlive.com