Stand vs. Cart

I am a former firefighter who is looking to start a hot dog business. It has always been a dream of mine. I am not sure which direction to go in, either a cart or a "permanent" stand. I have pros and cons for both. I have considered everything from employees and set store hours to cost of start up and projected income. What I want to know from the customers which would you be more lickly to frequent? And if anyone has advice about either I would appreciate it. Thanks

Personally, I would frequent either one, so long as it was easy for me to get to. In my neck of the woods things are so spread out a cart would never make it so it would have to be a stand. Since you are in Hartford (according to your profile) you could probably find a location to set up a cart where you could get enough traffic to make it work.

I guess I really don't have any advice to offer, other than to say, as far as I am concerned, the type of establishment is not as important as the product. If you have a great product and can get a good location, I would buy from either a Cart or a Stand.

Dan
...who probably wasnt much help....

I have seriously considered the exact same thing and i am assuming that you too are at an age where you should consider the "weather" ALOT---i love the idea of a cart IF---i intend to only be open in good weather---but i dont want the major hassle of a building---so i am considering converting the 17 ft camp trailer that we have called home while we build out house--into a small kitchen with hot water---a toilet and hand sink--and my own Honda--very quiet machines--generator--maybe even a small espresso set up---Hot dogs only---several styles and brands---i have a great classic dodge conversion van with a heavy duty tow pack---I think the Movable shop=---with awnings for customers and folding tables--will offer me the pluses of a cart AND and a shop. I spent more yrs then i needed behind someone elses grill and know that if i keep my inventory simple i can run this whole thing myself without employees for the most part--and at festivals and horse shows-rodeos--whatever--i have several folks that can get as temp labor and my wife works cheap! Theres a spot that looks promiseing--not far away--with a small college campus LOTS of shopping just beyond it that includes Lowes and Walmart Superstore-and a cineplex---lots of trafcic---lot of burgers---and miles fron the only hot dog stand in town and that is a none too exciting coney place that is why i ended up considering a hot dog stand in the first place! I already have most of what i need to do a legal roling kitchen --grills commercial cook tops,and lots of odds and ends for a kitchen,so my invest ment is minimal and with very little effort i could also do breakfasts. Any--hope MY experiacnese in this same question help.

as for my responce as to which i prefer4 as a customer----i will eat a good dog anywhere--anytime--i can get it!Most fans of the noble dog will! Again---i like to eat when its raining and when its sunny! So thats no help at all is it!

Don't forget to check local zoning ordinances. What looks like a good place for a cart isn’t always allowed. I know that is one issue with things here in Madison.

And tiki,
Any lefty who eats Hot Dogs is ok in my book

quote:

Originally posted by MadisonDining

Don't forget to check local zoning ordinances. What looks like a good place for a cart isn’t always allowed. I know that is one issue with things here in Madison.

And tiki,
Any lefty who eats Hot Dogs is ok in my book

and i condider it honorable to sit next to a righty while i do it!!

location, location, location!!! As a truckdriver I've stopped at many hotdog carts/trucks just because they were conveniant although to be honest I have gone out of the way here in Florida to frequent a cart run by bikini clad entrepreneurs..... I have a friend who works from a converted walkin van who makes a respectable living with a minimal menu. The problam with a stand is you cant move if business is slow, a cart/truck you can also take advantage of sporting events or concerts etc with just a trip to the permit office. I've been considering something a little different.. A pontoon boat or converted houseboat setup as a hotdog/hamburger stand, theres alot of boat traffic near the local inlet and NO place nearby to grab a quick bite...

I would go with a small ,very clean,professional concession trailer.Like they say in the fair concesson business "Flash is cash!".
The reason I say this is you will be totally self contained,and out of the weather and portable.If you keep looking you can get a good deal on a used one(I have 2 waymatics,that I got at great prices,found both in small classified ads).I have owned 2 restaurants in the past,and still toy with the idea of opening up another one.But,the romantic idea of your own restaurant fades shortly after opening with employees,an expensive lease,and being locked into a permanent location.I was succesful with both and sold them both at a profit(one for 5 times what I paid for it),but owning a restaurant is alot like owning a boat,the two happiest days you have are when you buy it and when you sell it!.I have stopped at converted campers,or school buses selling hotdogs,if they were recomended to me by somebody,and some had great food,but for the most part I look for a clean professional set up(no offense to the poster converting his camper).One thing to consider if you want to book events is that it is very competitive and having a professionally built ,sharp looking trailer makes it easier to get into an event,and easier to convince someone to let you set up at a location in your area.As I said before you will be self contained,and you can add heat and air conditioning to make it more comfortable to operate out of,and have an awning that people can stand under if it is raining out while they are waiting for their food.The more professional and clean looking your set up is the more the public will be willing to try your food,and if you are going to make the effort to make a go at this business,it is well worth making the effort to do it right the first time,and presenting yourself like a pro from the get go .In some locations a professional cart is the only answer due to the size,location,and congestion of the area(big city),but if it fits in your budget,and your prospective location(s),my vote is a professional concession trailer.
Best of Luck!
Jim

Dreamzpainter,its funny we were writing our replies at the same time!I have heard about the bikinis and weanies in Fla,I have actully seen one in westchester NY believe it or not,that was about 10 or more years ago though.I forgot to add a professional looking lunch/catering truck,which being also in the trucking business,I have ate off of many times by the side of the road mainly because of convenience,not having to park a tractor trailer in a parking lot somewhere,just pullover.Ive seen a pontoon boat setup as a hotdog/drink setup for sale on ebay last year and it looked like a fun way to make a living.I have a friend who opened a nice deli on a main st.,and it did ok,not really that great but he was squeeking by.He started selling food at a big flea market on the weekends out of an old converted bread truck,and did so well he sold his deli(gladly!),and stayed with the truck for awhile,then setup two concession trailers over time,one for selling out of and one for storage and prep,and lives a nice lifestyle,and $1500 days on a nice sunny day are not uncommon.I was talking with him one day after a Memorial day weekend and he told me they were swamped for three days,that he grossed $5800,and it was a good thing he had 7 of his family members helping him.He takes off Jan,Feb,Mar and starts back up in April.He pays for his spot year round($400 month)and head counts at this flea market sometimes exceed 15,000 people on nice days.Needless to say there is a long waiting list to become a food vendor there,he was lucky to get in when he did about 12 years ago.

I know my idea isn't revoluntary, infact it's not even right to say its mine... years and years ago (in a land far,far away) when I was growing up there was a houseboat anchored off the Barnaget inlet in So.Jersey, there were always boats stacked up 3-4 deep waiting on burgers and dogs.. I've started doing research and it looks like the biggest hurdle is getting Coast Guard approval and I need a Captains license to operate a commercial enterprise on federal waters.. can you say RED TAPE?"

I've been toying with the notion of selling hot dogs at nearby county fairs this summer. Nothing major, maybe half a dozen weekends. So this morning I started calling around -- and struck out completely. All of out surrounding counties grant exclusive food-sales rights to the cronies of the fair board, and outsiders can't even get a foot in the door.

Anybody out there do a county fair circuit? Is this sort of thing common? How do you get around it?

The county fairs are a tough nut to crack.Just like yourself many people would love to get in,but most fairs have a long waiting list of people wanting to get in as food vendors,and not too many people leave. When someone does leave you either have to know someone or just be lucky,and then have something different than everybody else is selling,and all the popular items like hotdogs,pizza,funnel cakes,fresh cut fries,sausage and pepper sandwiches,etc are already being sold.Look on Ebay an see how many concession trailers there are for sale ,many people think you can just buy a trailer and start doing events and quickly find out how hard if almost impossible it is to get into a fair.I have another friend who is a food vendor at fairs and festivals here in PA,and he does very well,but it has taken him 15 years to establish himself at these events.There is one big festival that is a one day affair but it is packed with people all day.He sets up a huge tent,and has about 8 people working,but last year he grossed over $11,000 in one 15 hour day,he is one of only 3 food vendors and it is almost impossible to get in their as a food vendor.I would look into smaller events like car shows,craft shows swap meets,air shows ,many of these are hard to get into,but are easier than state fairs.Try just looking around for a good location near a park or a beach that might be a good weekend location if zoning or the town permits it,it would be a lot easier than getting into a fair,and alot less politics,and competing with other vendors,and high entry fees.Some of those fairs charge a$1000 or more to get into,and some take a percentage of your gross sales.
Good Luck
Jim

Thanks for the advice, Jim. I will look into some of the smaller events around here. Or maybe invent my own. Life is short.

Bill B.

Your Welcome Bill.Life is short,and if they won't let you into the party,Start your own!I remember when I was a kid,my father would take us to a big park ,and there was a big guy with a simple NY style hotdog cart right at the entrance to the park.This guy had a line all day long(good Sabrett hot dogs,with homemade chili).I remember this guy being there for years,and always ,if it wasn't raining ,he had a line of people.I know his spot with his all day line,cost him alot less than if he was at a state fair and his line was there every weekend.I think sometimes it is better(and sometimes more profitable and less stressful)to be a big fish in a little pond,than a little fish in a big pond(sorry about the cliche'!).