What procucts should you serve on your hot dog cart? Which brand of hot dog will sell the best? What kind of chips will make me the most money? Does it matter what kind of soda pop I stock on my cart?
In this article I’m going to introduce you to an expert that I know. You’ll be able to ask him anything you want. Read on…
I recently got an email from Don asking if I had access to any information on which is most popular, Coke or Pepsi? Having lived all over the country, I can tell you that soft drink preference is a regional thing. In Chicago it was Coke. Here in St. Louis it’s Pepsi.
I have no idea why, but then again I don’t really need to know why.
All I care about is having accurate information, but until I found an expert to tell me, I had no better than a 50-50 chance of getting it right. I’ll tell you who my source is in a minute.
But first let me tell you about my expert in hot dog cart customer tastes and preferences. This person can tell you exactly what your customer wants with an astonishing degree of accuracy, and their knowledge isn’t limited to soft drinks.
My expert can tell you what kind of chips will sell the best on your hot dog cart. What brand and what size hot dogs the customer wants. Skinless or natural casing? Grilled or steamed? The best condiments? This person knows for sure and can tell you in an instant.
I’ve never known my expert to be wrong. Ever. Not once. And the best part? You can get my expert’s opinion for no charge. Who is this person?
Your customer.
I’m constantly amazed that 99% of beginner hot dog vendors spend weeks researching which cart they want. They rigorously check out all the manufacturers, all the optional equipment, prices, delivery, etc.
Then they agonize over the perfect location, driving all over town scoping out traffic patterns, pedestrian flow, and all that stuff.
Then they just GUESS which products to sell from the cart! Or even worse, they assume that because they like something, their customers will too. It doesn’t make sense.
Here’s what you can do right now. Today. You don’t need a cart or anything.
Start asking everyone you see a simple question. “Coke or Pepsi?” Then ask what their favorite chips are. Don’t think you will remember their answers because you won’t. Keep a small notebook with you and track the results. In a few days you will see trends appearing and the most popular choices will emerge.
This survey method will give you the answer to every customer preference but one. You won’t be able to find out what hot dog brand to serve until your cart is operational, because you’ll need to do a taste test.
On day one, stock two different brands of hot dogs and have them heated and ready to serve. Now cut some dogs into bite size pieces and serve on a toothpick as samples. Then let the customer purchase the one they like best. If you stock equal quantities of each, you’ll be able to tell which sold the most at the the end of the day.
On day two test your winner against a third brand. Then pit that winner against a fourth brand on day four. The winner of day four is the dog you should serve. Of course you could serve two kinds if the results were very close.
My expert will give you perfect knowledge of your market. It’s not guess work. It’s math. And it’s super easy so you have no excuse not to do this, especially when it can give you such an edge on opening day.
-Steve
Steve,
So simple – but so true! It’s the little things that make for successful business persons. Thanks for reminding us about “customer preference”!
Mark
Great reminder of the power of “Customer Service” – when customers have multiple choices in their dining – we want them to choose us!
Thanks –
Great article.
Question. What’s your take on Besteats Limited?
A friend of mine submitted his application Sept. ’08 and it seems they are giving him the runaround despite several follow-ups. He bought himself a top of the line hot dog cart with the hope that they could set him up at a Home Depot ih Houston.
Eugene,
I believe you’re talking about Street Eats Limited. I have never worked with them but my opinion is luke warm at best. They charge the vendor a monthly fee in exchange for letting you set up in front of a big box store like Home Depot but they don’t provide any value to the vendor. You still have to get your own equipment, permits, business license, inspection, etc. on your own.
They are simply a middle man between us and the store owner. They take a cut thereby reducing the income of both the store and the vendor.
If they actually did something to earn their cut I would be more understanding, but to me it just feels like another tax.
Like I said, I have never worked with them personally. If any of you know more about Street Eats, fill us in.
-Steve
Hi Steve,
I am new to the business…I am actually working for a friend to learn the business and as I was gathering info I found you.My biggest problem…MONEY to get my cart.I am looking online,newspaperads…word off moth.I just need a basic used cart to get started.PLEASE if you have any tips…please help.Thank you, Mel
p.s wish I found you sooner
Hi Mel,
The least expensive way to get started is to build your own hot dog cart. I didn’t have money for a cart at first so that’s what I did.
When people saw it, they wanted the plans so I built an improved version of the cart and I video taped the whole process from start to finish so you can follow along step by step.
You can build the E-Z Built hot dog cart with parts and materials from your local hardware store for under $800.
When you finish you will have a cart that would cost over $4000 if you bought it from a manufacturer.
You can see pictures and get more info at http://www.BuildAHotDogCart.com
Hope this helps!
-Steve
Any reason not to carry Coke and Pepsi and satisfy all?
I carry Coke products since my area park dist. gig has a deal with Coke, and I do not wish for them to lose that extra freebie. Helps keep my inventory down to four items Coke, diet, Sprite, h2o. “Sell em’ All” Jerry “Dogs on the Run”
That works! Thanks for the input Jerry!
Steve,
I had a neighborhood party and my neighbors decided what type of dog that I now sell. Another way to tell is check out the local supermarkets and see what they sell. Those brands will sell for you also.
Great tip about the supermarket. Thanks Paul!
Street eats?
Having had some preliminary business with them I have come to the conclusion they are a dictatorship! Just my opinion
I live in Arizona and am good friends with a manager of a lowe’s store and made interest of me being in front of his store and had me get in touch with SE.
Street Eats has a standing contract with Home Depot and lowes nation wide.
Story short they base your monthly rent according to the volume of customers they get in their store annually which in my case was about 12k a week
You need to furnish them a menu for their approval, abide by their rules regarding a dress code, logo hats and shirts be open 7 days a week, and now the best part!
If they approve you, you need to give them the first and last months rent and a deposit. In my case they wanted $1650.
If you’re just starting out, I would suggest not doing street eats until you’ve gotten your feet wet if you get my drift!
I quit corporate America 5 years ago and have been slinging dogs for 4 of them, and as many others in this business I enjoy the freedom and independence of answering to no one other than myself!
You won’t have that luxury if you are involved with Street Eats!
Once again it’s just my opinion
I tend to agree Gary, however it can be worth it in the right location. There is a vendor in my area who is in two Home Depot stores. He’s been there for years so it must be profitable for him. You are absolutely correct though when you advise newbies to get their feet wet first.
Dear Steve,
I have not comment much lately…but Mr. Steve is the real deal…..I believe in Steve, even though as of this date, sadly, I have not been able to build my/the hotdog cart…I believe in my heart that Mr. Steve has done more to help us Commoners than anybody that I have ever known…read allllll that he has done for all of us…..I pray that one day I can post my pictures of my hotdog cart….Mr. Steve keep helping alllllll like you have done for sooooooooo many years…..God’s Blessings, Jim
Thanks Jim! Let me know how I can help you get that cart finished.
Dear Mr. Steve,
I live in a small place…I can not build it in my very small apartment…I just have never had a decent garage type place to properly build my hotdog cart…it does get to me because I have wanted to do it for years…and I have followed you for years…listened to others as they have had success…I have wanted for you to build my website after I can ever get a hotdog cart built….so it does get a bit frustrating….but in alllllll, I have always felt that you are out there for soooooooooooooooo many of us…..that love this country of ours……
Thanks for the kind words Jim. I have some good news for you. If you have a blue tarp, you can build your cart out doors. Just cover it up at night while you are working on it. Many of my students built their E-Z Built Hot Dog Carts outside. You’ll never live the slinger life if you don’t get started. Just figure out a way and move forward a little bit each day. Soon you’ll be on the streets selling your tasty hot dogs to raving fans.
Here is a link to a story we did on Stevie’s Red Hot Weenies. Stevie is on of our student who built an E-Z Built hot dog cart in his yard under a blue tarp. He has since quit his job at a hospital and slings hot dogs full time. It’s a good, inspiring story:
Click here or copy and paste this link:
https://hotdogprofits.com/blog/success-story-from-a-curious-phone-call-to-full-time-hot-dog-slinger/
A commenter shared … Street Eats has a standing contract with Home Depot and lowes nation wide.
Humm, I wondered where all the vendors went. We have 5 Home Depots and Lowes in our immediate area. About 2 years ago they disappeared. They were selling dogs, boiled peanuts and ice cream in the summer. So, this past summer, I approached the Manager of a local Home Depot and ask about setting up in their parking lot on the weekends. He replied “Sorry, Corporate doesn’t allow food vendors in the parking lot.” Maybe he meant to say ” Corp has a broker you need to contact.
Does anyone know if Sams or Walmart has a national broker or is it left up to the local managers? I am expanding carts this summer and thought about theses as potential sites.
Top Dawg
Georgia
I always start by speaking with the local manager. It seems like some stores will give you the name of the concession management company and tell you to talk to them. Others will deal with you directly, which is best.
Steve, Im in my 3rd year slinging dawgs, and I love it. I live in a small town and it amazes me how people love my dawgs! I think the bun is as important as the meat between, and I truely believe my success has alot to do with the size (1/4 lb. all beef dogs) and the home made bun. My toppings are the norm, but, I do put up a special topping weekly. For example the Mac and Cheese Dawg, and I do a greek dawg as well. Next year I am going to add some candy to my sales, and I am going to feature a few new toppings a well. Got to keep it fresh to keep the regulars happy!
Thank you for all your coaching!
You are so welcome Carrie. Congratulations on your success!
I left this the other day didn’t get a reply maybe I did something wrong since I’m a new member. Does anybody use re freezable packs for their cooling rather then ICE ? and is it ok for the BOH to have a freezer at home just to freeze them no food in just ice packs
Hi Bruce, some do, some don’t. It’s one of the great debates of hot dog vending, lol. Yes, you can freeze them in your home freezer.