Advice?

Greetings all...

I am new to this forum... and new to the idea of opening my own hot dog business. I live in the north, where snow falls maybe 6 months out of the year... so the thought of doing this via cart doesn't seem to feasible. I have a very good friend who just informed me that one of her business rentals just opened up. The building resides in a town of 6,500 people... a large portion of whom are college kids (the town supports a statue university). The location of the building offers parking, which is rare in this town... and it sits on a corner, which makes it visible from almost any direction. A quick inspection of the building shows that it needs very minimal work, has already been passed by the health inspector and only requires a second restroom if indoor seating is desired (outdoor seating is available without the effort). Is a 450 sqft building at $450 per month feasible for this type of business? The only hot dog competitors around here are a Dairy Queen, another local Ice Cream store (each within the town) and two Gas/Convenience stores (each about a mile out of town... off the Interstate). This building is also right next door to the most popular college pizza place in town... and numerous college bars.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Hi Cmhobbz and welcome to the RF forums

It sounds like you might have a good deal there to me. I am new to this, but I can tell you that $450/mo for rent for a building that has already passed inspection for outdoor seating (as summer approaches) is very positive. You could start the season with just outdoor seating, and as you gain some capital to work with, you can add the bathroom and work on some indoor seating for later. And if need be, to extend your outdoor season seating, you can invest in those outdoor heating posts (they have them at Home Depot and Lowes) that really keep a table warm even when it's chilly out.

I'm presuming, of course, that you already have some working capital to work with for any equipment that you will need inside for food prep and such.... so that being said, you have a great base of clientelle, especially if you can stay open later for the college kids and bars. And with no other hot dog competition in the area, you provide another alternative for those who don't want pizza, ice cream, or cheap gas station hot dogs (eewwww).

Best of luck to you!

Doesnt sound like much of a risk. Give it a try...Russ

Thanks for the advice. I guess this is now just a matter of just doing it.

Take care!