HOTDOG CART BUSINESS HELP!!!!

I live in Charlotte nc and I am thinking about starting a hot dog cart. I have never done any thing like this before but i am willing to work very hard to get the business up and running... I have researched the hot dog carts and All American Hot dog carts seem to be very good quality. What cart would you suggest? What steps do I need to take to start this? I have found all the rules for NC about hot dog stands...

Thanks in advance,

Alex

Hi,
Welcome to the board. It is really hard of course. I bought mine over the internet, Ebay. Needless to say I got ripped off. I can tell you this. I am not so sure I would buy a cart without seeing it in person first. Know what you want. Make sure your cart is well built, and has everything you are going to need. Trying to add on to your cart after buying it can be a pain as well as expensive. My next one I will definatley travel to see it first. My cart I have now I bought on Ebay as a,"Budget", model. There was no brand name on it. There were so many things wrong with it that I contacted the seller. Seller just laughed at me over the phone and called me a sucker. I have talked to Louie at All American a couple of times to check on parts. He seems very friendly and helpful. There is some helpful start-up information at www.thehotdogcart.com. I cannot recommend they're carts because I do not own one. But the start-up info is good. Take your time, shop around, know what it is you want, and you will save yourself alot of headaches. JMHO Good Luck

I've heard alot of people talk good about CMS, but I have no personal experience with the product line..
http://www.cmssystem.com/hotdogcartproduct.htm

One of my favorites I've been eyeing for awhile is made by Custom (Click on the pics to check it out):
http://www.customsalesandservice.com/products/street-carts/model-650/features.php

No problem CSD.. I wont tell if you dont!

You're right CSD, they pretty much are the same cart.I Learn something new everyday.

i have a cart made by CMS.
the 325 towable,,,,,AND IT IS A GREAT CART!!!!!!!!!!!!
i found my cart on "craigs list" for $3000. [new, just over 5000.]

i just had the cart inspected by the county.....and it passed with no problems.....
so i am ready to start my dog business the beginning of may!!!!!!!!!!

do your research..there are carts that look good but???????????????????

the 325 now has 5+5 and 12 waste.

LOOK AT THE WWW.ALLAMERICANHOTDOG.COM/ GOOD LOOKING UNITS AND SUPPLIES BUT HAVE NO EXPIERIENCE WITH THEM AND MAKE SURE TO TURN UP THE VOLUME AND LAUGH WHILE LOOKING AT IT, THEY DISTRIBUTE VIENNA HERE THATS WHY I KNOW ABOUT THEM

Jeezzz.. PhatPhil... No need to scream at us!

ok sorry guys, caps off

hey alex, good luck with your new business. actually all american is not a good cart. check out custom carts in new jersey. they have a cart that will last forever. i have one and wouldn't try any other. i did have one of the all americans they are made very cheap. custom does have a web site. check it out. debbie

Debbie, Do you know the web address of the custom cart in New Jersey ? I couldn't find the web address

Thanks,

John

My brothers friend always wanted a hot dog cart, and actually had one for a while. He called up Vienna Beef, and I guess there is a guy there who is in charge of all their hot dog carts and stuff and he put him in contact with the company they use to make all their hot dog carts with the agreement that he sell Vienna Hot dogs.

I dunno, I was like 10 when he decided to this, but I am betting dollars to donuts that they still do it.

Ooops sorry,
Try foodcart.com
this should take you to Custom Sales and Service.These guys also manufacture all the food trucks.
Deb

For good info on the cart business, take a look at Vendingcarts.com. They have a good program in CD format, and their older cassette versions can often be found on Ebay. I used it to start my business. Beware All-American. The carts are poorly built, and when you have problems, its your problem. Many health departments won't approve them. The model 325 from Creative Mobile Systems is a great cart...well made, and its also approved by NSF, which is a sanitation organization Health Departments like. All Star Carts and Vehicles in New York also makes a good cart. Good luck!

If you go to the Restaurant professionals forum, you'll also find lots of handy advise.

Good luck!

i agree about the all american cart co.
i have a 325 cart and iut is great!

check out www.americandreamhotdogcarts.com . the owner's name is joel. great people and they have quality carts for reasonable prices. i bought a used cart from them and it was in excellent condition. they have new carts as well .... tell em brandy collier refered u ....

Hi there,

I am new to this forum and have done a little researching the hot dog vending business. I know someone was asking on another forum about sales/profit potential. Unfortunately no answers were given. I am aware that a lot of it depends on location etc., but can anyone of you who is an operator give examples and what you observed...

Thank you.

Hi out there, does anyone have an opinion on the Top Dog hotdog cart.

I am coming into the business and have settled on two manufactures Top Dog being one of them.

Thanks in advance.

Rick

Toppings... So many carts have been discussed here.. Use the link that follows and type in hot dog cart: http://www.roadfood.com/Forums/search.asp

http://www.willisbuiltcarts.com/

check these guys out in kingston ontario canada...will ship to the states. I bought a cart from them last year and it is great. they are a father and son team...the dad is really laid back and easy to deal with. they have given me really good service and the cart functions and tows really well.
dharma dog

Hi there;

I bought my one at Xbay in Germany because I´m a german for 1600,-€. And what should I say, it`s from All American Hot Dogs. I`m well with that cart !

Greetings from Germany
The Kid

I have a Top Dog Cart made in Orlando. The link to their web site is
www.topdogcarts.com

I have been operating it for about a year and have not had any problems with it.

Ronnie
Tex Grill
Houston, TX

Try these guys: http://www.allamericanhotdog.com

Talked with this guy Sebastian (forgive me for hacking his name)... But he's out of Ann Arbor, MI. Seen his carts on Ebay and I have to say they're everything one would want... (Only thing is I dont like the optional grill off the side). Every feature you could dream of is on the cart (Favorite being the condiment stand mounted on the front of the cart to keep everyone out of your way)... But if they're worthy is another question... Would be something you'd have to stop out and beat on for a minute or two.. He seems to post every week, so If ya cant find him, I can send ya his way... And no, I dont work for him or have anything to do with him (otherwise I'd have my own cart for testing purposes of course)...

I'm new to this "hotdog thing", and I need some help..... I currently live in Florida, and am looking for a hotdog I ate some years back in my home state of Connecticut that the locals up there call "Muckies".... Are these made by G&W? If not, who makes them? A big thank you to anyone who could help.

We rented a hot dog cart from Precision Carts. They are located in South Carolina. Their cart was very nice. Actually, we are considering buying hot dog cart from them. That All American guy its big joke!

I am in the process of opening a hot dog vendor stand in Findlay, Ohio. After reviewing many carts online and calling. I visited allacart.com in Columbus, Ohio. I was impressed with the carts and the willingness to work with me in creating a cart for me.

I hope this helps. I have spent since May he developing my business plan and look to be in business April 17.

The web site for allacart is allacart.com.

Good Luck