Opening new Hotdog restaurant and have questions

I am getting ready to open up a new "walkup" hotdog/coney/shakes/ice cream restaurant and have questions regarding what kind of commercial shake/ice cream machine to lease/purchase.  I've never considered a machine before, but I would rather pull a lever than scoop and blend.  Additionally, I really don't like the idea of fake ice cream/soft serve.   I will be serving premium hotdogs/toppings and I would like to serve premium frozen treats as well.  I found on the net that Schwan's offered machines that dispense real ice cream.  Does anyone have any information concerning these "Swirl Scoop" machines?  I know about the Taylor machines, but again these are soft serve..not real ice cream dispensing machines.  Thanks out there.  

Wish you the best in your new place.

I like the "walkup" kind of place...

Taylor makes top-quality machines,  and I have had a 6% ice cream mix (low fat) that was absolutely rich, creamy, every-bit-as-good-as-any-ice-cream-parlor-out-there flavor & quality  (do I get a prize for most hyphens used in 1 sentence?)

either way, I'm sure you'll come up with just the right thing.


do a lot of Google searches

Tommy B is right about Taylor.  Your distributor is Lane Equipment in Houston.

They can sell/lease you a new/used piece of equipment and they can get you the kind of mix you prefer.

Tommy B


Wish you the best in your new place.

I like the "walkup" kind of place...

Taylor makes top-quality machines,  and I have had a 6% ice cream mix (low fat) that was absolutely rich, creamy, every-bit-as-good-as-any-ice-cream-parlor-out-there flavor & quality  (do I get a prize for most hyphens used in 1 sentence?)

either way, I'm sure you'll come up with just the right thing.


do a lot of Google searches

I'm sure you are to get the minus points catagory and fruit cake emblem with two stars. Have not seen  that many hyfens since school.LOL
The over-stuffed members will have to contribute to the
annual fund for your pig and rooster fry festival in Up State
NY.  Point system for you dude.
Could not even exist with out the likes of you.
go for it  Forgot -
Vote 29 stars

Tommy B
I have had a 6% ice cream mix (low fat) that was absolutely rich, creamy, every-bit-as-good-as-any-ice-cream-parlor-out-there flavor & quality  (do I get a prize for most hyphens used in 1 sentence?)  

Actually your run on sentence was hyphenless. But we understood what you meant.
A punctuation mark ( - ) used between the parts of a compound word or name or between the syllables of a word, especially when divided at the end of a line of text.

poor dmark,   he must be wondering "how did this thread become a tutorial on grammar?!!!"

Thanks guys,  your comments make me smile on an otherwise tough Monday.

dmark


I am getting ready to open up a new "walkup" hotdog/coney/shakes/ice cream restaurant and have questions regarding what kind of commercial shake/ice cream machine to lease/purchase.  I've never considered a machine before, but I would rather pull a lever than scoop and blend.  Additionally, I really don't like the idea of fake ice cream/soft serve.   I will be serving premium hotdogs/toppings and I would like to serve premium frozen treats as well.  I found on the net that Schwan's offered machines that dispense real ice cream.  Does anyone have any information concerning these "Swirl Scoop" machines?  I know about the Taylor machines, but again these are soft serve..not real ice cream dispensing machines.  Thanks out there.  

Every time I see Rawley's on the Food Channel or hear about Rutt's Hutt I scratch my head and wonder why a hot dog restaurant isn't a bigger player in Texas. The only exception I know about is Wild About Harry's in Dallas. He uses Vienna skinnless and makes his own custard so I think you're on the right track.
My 1 year plan is in the same vien as your walk up. We considered ice cream, discussed gelato and finally decided on shaved ice (not the ground ice sno-cone). Very good profit margine, equipment is minimal to lease or purchase, many varieties in presentation and I think it's a better match for a hot dog business. It's cool, creamy and on a hot summer day in Texas (I'm north of Dallas), I would personally rather have a shaved ice than ice cream. Dairy can be heavy and my tounge feels coated rather than refreshed (I know thar sounds wierd). On the other hand...
Many restaurants use a soft serve "freebie" as a way to attract families and keep kids happy.

I also added ice cold Kosher dill pickles with a natural sugar peppermint stick down the middle. Sounds strange until you try the sweet-sour heaven created by this combo - may be more of a southern thing. Good luck. Keep us posted.

waydeg


I also added ice cold Kosher dill pickles with a natural sugar peppermint stick down the middle. Sounds strange until you try the sweet-sour heaven created by this combo - may be more of a southern thing. Good luck. Keep us posted.

I am born and raised in Texas (actually in DFW area) and never heard of such a thing.  It might be because I don't like pickles, but that sounds really strange.  Will get the wife to try it.  What kind of peppermint sticks are you using and where do you get them?

The only think I use peppermint for is to clear my mouth of other tastes (like when judging BBQ comps).  I use the peppermint and water to clear my mouth and coffee beans to clear my sinuses.

I know it's weird....
Kinda like fried chicken and waffles. Who'd a thunk?

I get the peppermint sticks from Cracker Barrell, no kidding. They are fantastic.
My kids love 'em.

That's a very provoking thought.  I never consider shaved ice.  I will serve soft drinks as I realize that many customers will not opt for the heavier diary products especially during the Texas weather extremes.  Thanks again, I will research the shaved ice option.

jman


Tommy B is right about Taylor.  Your distributor is Lane Equipment in Houston.

They can sell/lease you a new/used piece of equipment and they can get you the kind of mix you prefer.

Thanks, this has been very helpful

Make sure you understand the cleaning process of the machine you decide to lease/buy.  This is a key issue because of the labor involved and frequency of needed cleaning.  Some are much easier to clean than others.  Some have longer periods between cleaning.  I'm referring to Taylor type machines.

I'd strongly consider a lease with an option to buy, if possible.  You have to sell a lot of this stuff to make it profitable.  Maybe they have a used one that they'd lease out at a lower rate so you can get your feet wet and see if you have the volume to justify the investment.   Or, maybe they will give you a trial period if you buy so many mixes..... 

In this economy you'd be surprised what deals you can make.  I'd think Taylor has had to take back quite a few machines!  Counter types..free standing types... Sometimes you can also go to an auction.  Bring someone with you that understands the machines.  Still, I would not make a cash investment in that machine...I'd lease it.  It's too much money to tie up IMHO.  New operation...hoard your cash.  You may need it. 

One of the big mistakes made in opening is not allowing for enough down time cash (working capital) to carry you through until you have had time to build up the business.   

I love frozen custard....Is it Kerr's?  Sorry, I can't remember but there is a wonderful chain of frozen custard places that comes out of Philly?  They had a store in Ft. Lauderdale near the Intercoastal..Off Hammershee (sp) Oh that was good stuff. 

I like the idea of the ices better...Cheaper to get into...Probably more profitable, too.
 
Good luck!

dmark


That's a very provoking thought.  I never consider shaved ice.  I will serve soft drinks as I realize that many customers will not opt for the heavier diary products especially during the Texas weather extremes.  Thanks again, I will research the shaved ice option.

Here are some of the units I'm looking at.
http://www.realhawaiianice.com/Browse.aspx/383/Block%20Ice%20Shavers


As was pointed out, much less expensive to get into as well as the maintenance/cleaning issue.
Letting the customer mix their own flavor is certainly an additional part of the appeal.