DOING FREE HOT DOG PROMOTIONS

Hi,

I'm a newcomer to this forum. I thinking of starting a business that specializes in only doing promotions for car dealerships, radio stations, grand openings, small corporate events and special events whereby I provide a service of "free" hot dogs, chips and drinks to the public as part of a promotion of some kind. The food and drinks would be paid for by the car dealership, radio station, etc. For some reason my county health department says that because the food is being give away instead of being sold to the public, that I don't need a commercial kitchen to operate this type of business. Sounds crazy, but I'm considering doing this.

I just want supplemental income. However, I don't want to waste my money and time gearing up for something that there isn't a big enough demand for. I was thinking of doing a direct mail campaign to all the car dealerships, radio stations, party and event planners, etc. within a 2 hour drive of my city.

My question is, have any of you done these types of promotions? Is there a market out there for this? For someone like me that doesn't need to make a full time living, I thought this might work out. If any of you have done this type of promotion, what do you charge? How many hours do you serve? Any other particulars would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Mr. Fun!

Hhmmmm... I would seriously double-check with your city/town/county about the commercial kitchen and/or licensing thing. I would think that it wouldn't matter if the public were paying you or the dealership (etc)... the point would be that food is being prepared for public consumption.

I don't need a commercial kitchen in my area either, but that's across the board... whether the public pays directly or if I choose to do promotions. The stickler in my city is that (without a commercial kitchen) I am restricted on what types of foods I can serve. I cannot serve anything that I have prepared at home... NO homemade chili or coney sauce or anything. It ALL has to be out of a can, bag, or box and heated only on the cart. They let me chop my onions in my kitchen... that's about it :)

I would think that contacting some local area businesses to see if there is interest in your idea is a good start. I would still have a price list (per dog, etc) as I would think you would still need to keep a count to charge the business accurately. How many hours you stay there is negotiated by you when you speak with these businesses, and I would think there would be a market for this, but every area is different, which is why you need to pound some pavement where you are to see for yourself.

I haven't done this just yet, but I have looked into it for future options. I don't know that I would rely on promotions only, unless you only want to work weekends here and there. Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

I would recommend investigating a commissary or commercial kitchen. Find out how much they would charge you. It may also be as simple as finding a local coffee shop that would sign your letter of commissary for the health dept. While your at it investigate commercial business insurance. You will want to be able to provide that if any prospective customer asks. You will want to have that if you need it. It isn't neccessarily expensive...just neccessary. I know you don't want to invest too much money, so I recommend investing some time. Get a menu put together...try and be original without being too complicated. I'm not sure where you live but there are plenty of hot dog carts here in Denver, and many of them have the same idea as you. Janski is right. Figure your prices, double check with the health dept, find out if this is something your prospective customers might want done. Also maybe do a baseball or some other sporting event somewhere to see if you like doing this. And maybe to work on your chops a bit.
This is a good idea. I just worked an open house at the Yamaha/Victory dealership last weekend. The owner liked it because people liked the food...so he paid me well, I liked it because I was paid well (and this can be a really fun job) the customers liked it because, "Hey free lunch! And the food was good." It can definetly be a win/win/win type of thing. Good luck and be sure and keep us posted how it works out for you.

The food and drinks would be paid for by the car dealership, radio station, etc. For some reason my county health department says that because the food is being give away instead of being sold to the public, that I don't need a commercial kitchen to operate this type of business. Sounds crazy, but I'm considering doing this.

Free labor and cart? How do we hire ya?? (Oh, and liability insurance shall be required).

I should clarify my comments... If your in the food service business, the health department will be involved. So will be a commissary, especially if you run a cart or some sort of catering biz. You may have honest intentions there, but your posting sounds like a troll.

Vic, I used to work for a company that leased one story of a 15 story office building. Every year, the owner of the building would hold a "tenant appreciation party". They had this caterer come in to the parking lot and cook up hot dogs, burgers, fries and serves drinks, cake, etc. It was all free to the office workers. All we had to do was wear our company or building-issued ID card. To me, it sounds like the OP only made a phone call to the health dept. rather than an in-person visit and did not communicate his intentions clearly or talked to the wrong folks at the health department.

Thanks David NYC! But IMHO, there's been several trolls that have popped up the last few weeks here.. I've seen posts come and go in the Pro's section. You want to share your advice, but then some of the questions are so remedial it makes one wonder. I may have jumped the gun, but will hold my ground until I hear otherwise from the poster or one of the Moderators here that have done a good job investigating these posts.

And as a side note, I catered many a event.. But again, HD was always involved in our establishments. The only thing that would slide is when the host purchased the booze.. Then never had problems bringing in a portable bar with no permits required. (But again, it was a paid service with your own equipment, yet not food related for some reason - though there where pourer's you would use, along with shakers and mixers)..

I am Food Safe Certified and worked out of a stick system EZUP (that's what the state called them) The only time they would inspect you was when the found you at a Fair event. The biggest thing they were looking for was a hand washing system for this event. (Change Subject) I once thought just the idea you have contacting Used Car Lots and new dealerships, so I did, using the Yellow Pages and mailed out flyers and made follow up calls in person. Net results, Nothing. But try differnt Ideas one might connect. But get food certified first. CBB in PA

Sniff sniff...
I am curious why you have not asked the dealership, and the county/city what is the protocol for something like this?
Such as who needs the license, or dont they even care?

Seems like the originator of the giveaway is responsible for the licensing.

But then again.
What do I know?
I just look at reason. Virgo here, and reason kicks me in the butt all the time...

It would seem to me that somebody with this much experience wouldn't really have to ask these types of questions...but I could be wrong.

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