Good morning, Steve! Here are a couple of pictures of myself and the EZ-Built set up for my opening Day on Friday. Had a really nice first day. Not run off my feet by any means yet, but had about 50 customers between 11:00 and 3:00. Looking forward to today. I dropped 3000 flyers this week with a Grand Opening special. I’ll let you know what happens. Have a great day!
Looks good Darren!!
50 the first day is great! Are you going to be in the same location M-F or are you going to do 2 days one place 2 days somewhere else? I am having a hard time to decide what to do. What has been you best seller so far?
Cheers
Well Darren,
I have to tell you. You are one lucky guy. Your are only paying 100$/mo. for an exclusive location. With fountains and benches to boot!
In my town I just found out that you can only vend 2 days in a calendar month. In any one location. Then you have to reapply every month. We have very limited area that you can do so.
I guess that’s why you don’t see carts in my city.
Best of luck!
Bob A.
Wichita, Ks.
Bob,
Don’t give up! There’s always a way through the red tape.
-Steve
How do you caculate how many hot dog, polish sausages and drinks for an event. Might rent a 5 foot grill for hambergers, if not burgers maybe popcorn or cotton candy. Just want to keep it simple. Is there a formula the you go by.
Thanks
andre
Nice looking spot and setup
only $100 for that spot?! Nice! per month obviously… The RONA store I’m at wants $250 a month, anyone else deal with them or similar elsewhere?
Congrats on the new cart! It looks awesome and you’ll do well…just give it time.
I have yet to pay rent in any location I have used in my city. I had a weekend location in front of a Sports Authority store that had a Best Buy, Ross, and PetSmart in the same strip mall. My pitch usually includes “it won’t cost you anything to have me outside your store. Our umbrella attracts attention and often, a customer will stop for a bite to eat and then browse through the store. We will promote any specials you have and make recommendations if you’d like us to. ” something along those lines.
I’ve had no problems and haven been serving rent-free since beginning in July of 2008!
Hello folks!
I apologize for the delay in replying. I have been open 30 of the last 32 days and don’t get much computer time any more.
Things are going well so far – Most weekday lunches I am still plateauing at about 40-50 customers with a couple of outstanding days at 70-80 customers. I’m not retiring anytime soon, but it’s plenty to make a living from and everyone who finds me is coming back, so as long as I get a mix of new customers and repeaters every day, it all points to a very good Summer to come.
I’m serving 5 to 1 100% beef franks and 3 to 1 Debrizini sausages. Both seem about equally popular- I average one sausage sale for every 1 1/2 franks.
I have my first event next weekend. Last Sunday was a drizzly and miserable day. Just while I was telling myself I was wasting my time, one of my few customers of the day approached the cart. After having the best hot dog of her life, she started asking questions about the cart and was thrilled with the whole setup. As it turns out she owns a local dance school and needed a concessionaire for the intermission during her annual recital on Fathers’ Day – 500 parents and Grandparents! I’ll let Steve know what happens.
I’m off to wash pans, refill condiments etc. – Have a great day!
Darren, I just found this web site while doing a little research on the Hot Dog Vending business. I wish I found it sooner as I just laid out about $3000.00 on a new cart. That being said, I am awaiting delivery.
I went to the town parks board meeting last Monday and was approved to set the cart up at a parking lot / rest area along the bike path. It is just 30 feet off of a major street so I should not only be getting customers using the bike path but also those commuting down the street. Oh and the rest area has a overhead pavilion with 2 picnic tables and the park is going to bring out a couple more.
I had hoped to start business on the 4Th of July but it looks like the cart may not be delivered in time but that’s OK as I am taking a long weekend trip to Minnesota the week after so it looks like opening day will be the weekend of July 18Th, 19Th.
Your cart looks great and I wish you the best of luck.
Tim
TNT Dogs
Griffith, IN.
After 20 years of selling across the country; early flights and bad hotels, I took the plunge, burnt the suits and have ordered my hot dog cart. I plan to be real traditional NY style with a classic boxing ‘theme’.
I figured out who to set up a small TV/DVD combo playing old fights from the 40′ and 50’s to add some ambiance. The only problems I have ran into is the City of Portland Oregon nickle and dimes you to death. $300 here another $300 there, plus another $300 again on permits and permits for permits. Turns out that even is I do not need a commissary to prepare food; I need one just to wash my tongs; another $300 !
But the things is it’s my show. Nobody can tell me what to ’cause I’m da’ boss!
Mark
Big Tommys Brooklyn Dogs
Portland OR
Big Tommy,
Don’t worry about those fees. How much would it cost you to set up a brick and mortar restaurant?
I love the old fights playing for your customers. Cool theme!!!
Go get ’em!
-Steve
hey Darren, glad to see you made it in the food industry. Those long nights at the competitions have paid off!!!
So im thinking of selling vegan hotdogs in portland oregon im looking for a used cart a class 3 would be ideal never done anything like this any sug.