I ran across a help wanted ad looking for someone to work a San Francisco hot dog stand. My interest was piqued by the starting wage they offered so I did a little research and discovered a very inspirational fact about the company – their annual earnings. If the figure I’m about to share with you doesn’t make your pulse quicken a bit then you’d better put a mirror in front of your mouth and make sure it’s fogging up like it should…
But first, here’s the original ad from Craig’s List:
HOW ABOUT A FUN, OUTDOOR JOB THAT PAYS WELL?
We have several openings, 32-40 hours a week, for individuals who can do ALL of the following:
1. Sell hot dogs, pretzels, and drinks from our “Stanley’s Steamers” hot dog stands in Union Square and Fisherman’s Wharf;
2. Drive our company Ford Econoline van a few shifts a week helping make deliveries to and from our carts;
3. Work in our commissary several days a week helping to prep food for our cart operations.
Applicants must be able to vend, drive, and work in our commissary, and must have open availability, mornings and evenings, 7 days a week. In addition, the job requires a clean driving record and the ability to lift coolers weighing 75 pounds or more.
We will be interviewing this Tuesday for trainings starting this Wednesday. To apply, please send us your resume with references. It always helps to include a personal note telling us something about you.
If you aren’t contacted for an interview by 9pm Monday night, please assume the spots have been filled. Thanks for your interest!
* Location: Union Square
* Compensation: $13.50/hour starting wage
* Principals only. Recruiters, please don’t contact this job poster.
* Please, no phone calls about this job!
* Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.
As you’ll recall, what sparked my curiosity was the $13.50 starting wage, and therein lie two lessons:
1. The owner is making way more than $13.50 an hour and he doesn’t even have to be there.
2. If you want good help, pay ’em to keep ’em. The owner is a smart operator who knows the value of a reliable consistent employee. That’s why he can play golf at noon anytime he wants.
So who is this company? San Francisco Carts and Concessions.
Dun and Bradstreet puts their annual income at $400,000. Here’s the scoop:
Company Name: San Francisco Carts Concessions
Est. Annual Sales: $400,000
Year Started: 1999
State of Incorp: CA
SIC #Code: 5812
Data above provided by D&B.
2008 Dun and Bradstreet, Inc. All Rights Reserved
So there you go little leaguers – something to shoot for, and proof that it’s possible. Thanks to Craig’s List for $400,000 worth of inspiration!
-Steve
Great example – Thanks for sharing… now if I could just get a fishermans wharf in Georgia….
Ha!
Mark
Mark,
Build it and they will come…
I read each new mail you provide and find it interesting. I have and still want to start a stand of my own here in Martinsburg, WV. Due to family and their needs I have not been able to save for my dream. I travel 164 mile round trip to work daily and it has taken a toll on my health. Lost my right leg 6 years ago but still doing the same job today. One day I hope to purchase a cart and start my own business.
Thanks for your articles.
Tony
Hey Tony,
When I started out I didn’t have money for a cart either so I built one myself using materials from the local hardware store. It cost me less than $800.
You can see pictures and get more info at http://www.BuildAHotDogCart.com
Hope this helps!
Very Inspirational !! I have purchased my first cart and I am working on my permits. I am hoping to get this business started within a couple of weeks. All the emails I get from you are very good reading and help keep the juices flowing. Watch out Oregon here we come!!
Hey Steve, Running a Hot Dog cart has always been a dream of mine. you are a true inspiration. I’m in the planning stage of hot starting my own hot dog cart. thanks for all the great info.
Ray
Hey Ray,
Glad I can help. It really is a fun business, you’re going to love it!
– Steve
Hey guys, Im struggling to find a commisary partner here in nc. Any suggestions on this? thanks RICK
I wonder what they are paying for the space? Is it a rent a spot or do they have bid for the location? The overhead could be crazy..
I believe they have multiple locations. Don’t know what their overhead is but if they can afford to pay $13 an hour, you can be sure they are making a good profit. The easiest way to cut overhead if necessary is to reduce hourly wages, but they haven’t needed to do that.
Hey Steve,
What a great story!
And you are correct, pay a decent wage, give them responsibilities, hold them accountable on performance, treat all with respect, and good people will become great employees.
In my little minimum wage city, those who work the cart when it’s up and running, I pay $15hr… Inside my little “bistro”, they are paid $10-$12hr (inside is easier -lol)
Now I’m not at $400k, bit you can’t get there unless you work towards a goal (hmmm… $400k sounds like a good goal 🙂
Again, great story
Mike Q
“der Frankfiurter Bistro”
“der Frankfurter Cart”
You’ll get there Mike!
Remember SAN Francisco is crazy expensive to live and work. $13.50 in SAN Francisco is like $8 in most of the country. I’m not there but I would guess that hotdogs go for well over $5.each. I had one person tell me that they were $7 each. I live less then 100. Miles from there. I will have to give it a try!
To the slingers who need a little more inspiration take the time to read this guys story. I wonder how many would persevere faced with the challenges this guy had to endure. Truly inspirational check it out here. copy and paste into your browser.
http://sfcarts.com/story.html
Indeed. Great story!
Great information Steve, I have a suggestion to all newbies, set a game plan in motion, MAKE A SOUND BUSINESS PLAN, no exactly what it cost to work your plan, each area of our business is different, step out of comfort zone a little with your goals, it won’t take to long for you to know if you need to adjust your plan to meet your GOALS. I am new to the hotdog business but have owned many businesses with all being successful, you must know where you want go in order to get there.
Thanks again Steve
Good advice Dan!
Went to the link for the SF carts and concessions story and got redirected to their homepage and found this:
SF CARTS CONCESSIONS
HAS DISCONTINUED ITS
SAN FRANCISCO
CART OPERATIONS
Wow! Also seems to indicate SF may not have been their only area,?
Thanks for the heads up Elton!