Any one ever hear of this place ?

from my local paper this a.m. Eatery brings 'haute' hot dogs to Norwalk






By Richard Lee
Assistant Business Editor

Published October 20 2005


A new Massachusetts gourmet hot dog restaurant chain has chosen Norwalk as the site for its first Connecticut eatery.

The New England Hot Dog Co., a Beverly, Mass., business that bills itself as a purveyor of gourmet "haute" dogs, has awarded a franchise to Norwalk resident Michael Pucci, who plans to open his restaurant by next month at the former Nextel store at 314 Westport Ave.

Featuring hot dogs and sausages and more than 48 toppings, the restaurant also will offer an ice cream and yogurt bar.

"The hot dogs are made any way you like them -- steamed or roasted," said Pucci, who will supervise three or four employees. Rolls will be prepared as requested by patrons, who also can ask for wraps.

For Pucci, the franchise is a chance to return to the food business. His family has been a Boar's Head deli meat foods distributor for many years.

"In the 1990s, I worked in the provisions business, and for the past five or six years I was in construction, but I wanted to be my own boss," he said, expressing confidence in the new chain. "I believe it's something unique. It's an old concept with a new twist."

The interior, with its oak flooring and walls, will match the gourmet approach of the menu, said Pucci, who, through his brother, a Boar's Head distributor in the Boston area, met Eric Levy, chief operating officer of New England Hot Dog,

Levy likes the Norwalk location and said the franchise is the right fit for the area's demographic.

"Westport Avenue is a high-traffic area with car dealerships and fast-food restaurants, but we're an alternative," Levy said. "We're the first gourmet hot dog store in that area, not the fourth hamburger restaurant."

The flagship restaurant, located in Marblehead, Mass., opened in June and does a brisk business, Levy said. Other franchises are opening in Taunton and Everett, Mass.

"We are very excited about building on our successful concept with our new franchisees. They bring a great deal of experience to help grow the concept," Levy said. "We are committed to supporting their growth through continued menu and product development, training, systems and marketing support."

The investment for a franchise owner runs from $135,000 to $250,000, he said. The typical floor space is 1,000 to 1,500 square feet.

Buying a franchise from a new restaurant chain with little name recognition can be risky, said Terry Hill, spokesman for the International Franchise Association in Washington, D.C.

Success hinges on marketing and the viability of the parent company's business model, he said.

"There's always a risk, but much depends on the franchise owner. They have to make sure customers have an exceptional experience so they want to come back," Hill said, adding that word-of-mouth advertising is crucial.

The quality of service and food must be consistent at all the chain's restaurants, he said.

Copyright © 2005, Southern Connecticut Newspapers, Inc.

Here is there web site
http://www.nehotdog.com/index.html
That is a lot of money for an unproven business. I owned a 7-Eleven for 10 years and was a consultant for them for 7 years and I would buy a 7-Eleven in a heartbeat before I would spend that kind of money for a hot dog business. You could buy a Seven Eleven for less than that $250,000

Is that really so? I would have thought it would cost much more for a 7-11. I assume that the old location, location, location thing still applies there.

Originally posted by markolenski

Here is there web site
http://www.nehotdog.com/index.html
That is a lot of money for an unproven business. I owned a 7-Eleven for 10 years and was a consultant for them for 7 years and I would buy a 7-Eleven in a heartbeat before I would spend that kind of money for a hot dog business. You could buy a Seven Eleven for less than that $250,000
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/quote]

I have to agree with you on being careful about spending crazy amounts on a hot dog joint.

In the springtime, the famous Johnny and Hanges opened their 2nd "hot dog joint" location , right here in Atlantic City. the first location is up in north jersey since 1954.

they were quick to brag about spending close to a million dollars (!!) believe it or not, on this new AC location. fixing it up, etc... there was a big article in the AC press about them. (and the article was prominently displayed on the wall in the restaurant)

that was certainly a lot of hot dogs to sell !

needless to say, it is not even quite the end of the year yet, and they closed up already !

the sign now says --coming soon "Subdaddy's" they have one other location in Galloway township (absecon area), and have great subs and a great concept....

ellen

With competetion from Swanky Frank's and Super Duper Weenie Dog, I think it'll be a tough go.

Is the Hot Dog really "gourmet?"

And, what the _____ makes a hot dog "gourmet?"

I've never really liked the term "gourmet" to apply to food since gourmet is a noun, not an adjective. Gourmet has sort of become the word "fancy" for food. i.e. "gourmet" hot dog means "fancy" hot dog. But, that's not the true meaning.

There's no measuring stick to this new usage of the word. For example, I've seen jam called gourmet. Why is it gourmet? because isn't not jelly? because there's no preservatives? because some care was taken to make the jam?

Or, a restaurant once called their breakfast "gourmet." It was eggs (fresh organic), butcher's sausage and French toast. I wasn't sure what made it gourmet...was it the fact that they sprinkled the French toast with powdered sugar and added a garnish?

In the true meaning of the word, most of us here in the forums are gourmets; that is, we are each a connoisseur of food and drink. We may not all be chefs (I'm not), but connoisseurs is as close a description as we can get...unless we're just fanatics.
Any way, it's certainly more accurate to call each of us a gourmet, than saying that one serves a "gourmet hot dog."

Course, this post doesn't mean I wouldn't give the new hot dog joint a try if I was in N.E.

Heids in Liverpool NY has survived for years selling hot dogs with mustard...that's pretty much it, no sauces cheeses,pepper...just mustard. Their theory is its the hotdog you want to taste, and I have to agree. Now, their franchise dreams failed, and they only have the one location...but, personally I don't go for the "gourmet" hotdog idea myself.

Cosmos: Ironic that you were the next person to post and to talk about Heid's.
Was it that obvious from my post that I grew up in Liverpool?

Let be real hot much will you pay for a hot dog. Unless you are at a ball park Hot dogs over $4 are crazy. The places we all love to discuss and will travel miles to get to have great hot dogs at a fair price and we don't need 500 choices.

Gourmet as an adjetive also seems to be an excuse to add a couple extra bucks to the price of a food item.

Gourmet Beer = Add a pinch of salt...

quote:

Originally posted by mr chips

Gourmet as an adjetive also seems to be an excuse to add a couple extra bucks to the price of a food item.

Then of course it is served with a bottle of Moet White Star to boot!
LOL,
Tara