Can't Believe What Just Happened To Us!

I just have to share this with you all! I got a call on Wednesday from a woman who's husband manages an indoor swap meet in a town near where I live. She said that they needed a hot dog vendor. I told her that I had heard that they had one, but she told me that the one they had left. I went down to meet with her husband two days later (this past friday). He told me they were having a big event on the weekend of 2/25 - 2/27 and the festivities included a hot dog eating contest. They wanted me to supply the hot dogs. Here's the really cool part...
 
I signed the contract yesterday to be the hot dog / ice cream vendor and agreed to run the contest with them. I was a little worried about supplying all the hot dogs, but...I have a pretty good relationship with Hebrew National. I sent one email today and guess who is supplying the hot dogs? Hebrew National!! I can't believe how AWESOME these people are to work with!
 
Anyway...I just had to share that with you all. If there is anyone in the area that is reading this, we need about 10 volunteers to help judge. You can either respond here, or PM me.
 
have a great day, everyone
 
Dragon

Really cool!!!!!  Should be a lot of fun..

If it's a good gig, then why did the other Hot Dog guy leave. Did you check out the swap meet and find out what, and why this guy left. Did you just see dollar signs dancing in your head, did you do your homework....just because people offer, doesn't make it good or profitable.............pnwc

pnwchef


If it's a good gig, then why did the other Hot Dog guy leave. Did you check out the swap meet and find out what, and why this guy left. Did you just see dollar signs dancing in your head, did you do your homework....just because people offer, doesn't make it good or profitable.............pnwc

 
Wise advice indeed. Yep...homework done. Scoped out the place during the weekend.  Not a bad crowd. I'm sure it has it's ups and downs like all businesses. From what I gathered from the merchants that I spoke with, the other vendor was inconsistent. Opening late, leaving early, some of them said he wasn't a very pleasant person (of course, that is subjective...I've met many people that I was told were "not very pleasant" and they turned out to, in fact, be very pleasant.) I don't know the vendor, so I can't say what is true and what isn't. We all have different goals and needs. Maybe he needed to make more money than he was making there, maybe an even better deal came along for him.
 
As for dollar signs...there weren't any associated with the hot dog eating contests. I'm running that with the swapmeet management because I think it would be an awesome way to kick off our business at this location. Especially since we'll be using the exact same hot dogs that we sell.
 
Besides...my husband and I are used to running the cart on a very part time basis - Saturday and Sunday only open about 4 -5 hours per day in a location with mediocre foot traffic. It will be very interesting to see how we do in a location with much more foot traffic, 3 days a week, 8 hours per day. This, combined with the Little League deal that we have that will be starting in a few weeks, may be all we need to start putting our Hot Dog business into high gear. Bought the trailer today to start building the 2nd cart and I received the plan review results from the Maricopa County HD.
 
Dragon
 
 

HI DD, looks like you did your homework, I'm happy for you and hope you do well. I see a lot of food vendors jumping at the first chance to get a location, there are many things that make a good location good, I think you have what it takes. From what I have seen in your posts, you are very personable and serve good quality, you go the extra mile to make it right. I hope the swap meet organizers sees you as the asset you are, and make it a win win situation................I wish you well..........pnwc
 P.S. there was a gal on this site that bought a small donut machine to use at her local weekly swap meet. She was happy with the amount of sales it provided. I think this gig will let you expand your menu and let you offer more food items. I see people at Swap meets doing things you would never be able to do on the streets....

Congrats on your new location.  Let us know how you do.  Good Luck.

Thank you, everyone! I'll let you know how everything turns out.
 
Dragon

Its all cool but check with your insurance, have your contestants sign a disclamer, make sure you got the FD or paramedics there also and dont forget the puke buckets. I have been involved with this type of event in the past.  Can be some consiquences if your bases arnt covered.