Startup info for stand in Virginia needed

I am originally from Chicago area, and have a lot of transplanted Jersey and NY people living around me in the Shenandoah Valley of Va.
We all love hot dogs, and you can fill in the blanks....not much here except Nathan's at Costco. I feel like that guy in Tennessee who has a recent post.

Some of us are thinking of opening a cart stand, or possibly an inside operation in an existing coffee shop. We have ideas, but I would like to pick you brains some as to what you would have, as far as brands, toppings, for a start up and maybe a "second level" of items for selling, as things progress.

Keep in mind everthing would have to be UPSd in, inventory questions, etc. Also keep in mind we haven't done this before, but the coffee shop is doing well. We would probably start with some used equipment, etc. but will invest more $ when it gets going.

This is almost as much a mission as a profit center deal.

Thanks in advance!

gman, I can't offer any help or advice, but I do want to say that you have a lot of guts. Good luck.I sure hope you can get it working.

Good luck on your venture!

As a PT small business owner (antiques & restoration) I soon found out that paperwork can take the fun out of doing the business you otherwise enjoy. Not having operated a restaurant before (though I have worked years ago in a few food businesses), I can't offer suggestions as to brands, but can say to just research things thoroughly before taking a dive. You probably have vastly more experience than I, but just be sure to investigate things like licensing, zoning, and fire codes (some state's just require vendor's and food handling licenses, some require more; as a nurse, I was appalled to find out a certain southern state I frequent on vacation did not require annual TB skin tests or drug testing of restaurant employees).

Any large city usually has a number of used restaurant equipment stores (auctioneers love restaurant liquidations, they get to sell the same site a number of times if they are lucky and the restaurant owner isn't), which you are already aware of. Ebay can also be a good opportunity to buy used restaurant/business equipment at excellent prices.

Serve a quality product, be nice to your customers, keep a clear paper trail of the money, pick a good location, and you'll do well.

Any brand suggestions appreciated; that's what I am looking for. I do know the pitfalls of small business...I do that now; have 1 now, plus another I set up for my son selling cycle parts. Required bonds, licenses, etc. etc. etc. PITA

Man just do it. If you don't do it now, you'll regret it later. I started out with a EZ up on a out of business parking lot. 4 months later I'm in a 6x10 Trailer. I wouldn't trade life this for a high paying job. If I would sell my trailer, I would get a bigger one. If you really want to get certain brands of Hot Dogs, there are ways to get them. Get about 4 coolers and make a road trip up north. It would probably a full day, to load up on your favorite dogs. I am selling sabretts now for some of my NY customer transplants. I can't get them from the fact. salesman until this summer. So I buy them at local supermarket at retail price. 50¢ each + bun 10¢ = 60¢ cost, I sell them for 1.25 each. I buy all they have on the shelf and store them usually about 6 or 8 pckgs. I usually sell about 2 pks a week. I am out there mon to fri rain or shine in enclosed trailer.
Cowboy bob 2

quote:

Originally posted by thegman

I am originally from Chicago area, and have a lot of transplanted Jersey and NY people living around me in the Shenandoah Valley of Va.
We all love hot dogs, and you can fill in the blanks....not much here except Nathan's at Costco. I feel like that guy in Tennessee who has a recent post.

Some of us are thinking of opening a cart stand, or possibly an inside operation in an existing coffee shop. We have ideas, but I would like to pick you brains some as to what you would have, as far as brands, toppings, for a start up and maybe a "second level" of items for selling, as things progress.

Keep in mind everthing would have to be UPSd in, inventory questions, etc. Also keep in mind we haven't done this before, but the coffee shop is doing well. We would probably start with some used equipment, etc. but will invest more $ when it gets going.

This is almost as much a mission as a profit center deal.

Thanks in advance!

Well, if your from Chicago, why not bring a taste of Chicago to your region? ChicagoStyleDog might help ya with this one (suppliers, methods, etc)... If you want more regional, then go to the NJ and NY places and ask what brand of dog they use. Sample them all out and see which tastes good in your opinion. You'll make a better salesman if you enjoy and support your product! IMHO, if you dont have a dedication to your product line, your not going to make it... Another person you might want to contact is JohnFox on these forums... He does some awesome reviews on the hot dog in itself... Scroll thru the Hot Dogs, Sausages & Bratwursts forums and you'll get a wealth of information!

I think you are making a mistake by assuming there aren't favorite sausages of Virginia.
Why don't you look for a local purveyor of sausages who might have an idea of the local tastes?

Local purveyor here? I have looked. Local tastes? Grease. You're dealing with an area where the best grocery store is a Krogers or Wal Mart. This is the Valley. Beautiful country with a lot of Yankees moving in. They want some Yankee food.

All I was hoping for were some opinions on what brand names you all preferred, and what toppings.

Thanks for the John Fox and Chicago Style Dogs info.

I'm confused. Why are you there?I've found, living in Oregon, that people could care less about what I grew up eating in KC. Maybe you can do better by importing
Michigan Avenue to Virginia. Good Luck.

I brand with Vienna Beef, the original Chicago style hot dog. You can too. It's only a phone call away. Get in contact with your local Sysco rep. They carry everything you'll need to replicate an original Chicago style hot dog. The Vienna Beef 8 to a pound hot dogs are Sysco's normal fare and the most popular seller. They also carry the authentic poppy seed buns in the steamer box. Both dogs and buns will be delivered to you frozen, because you're out of the midwest, but it poses no problem. You can purchase all the original Vienna Beef condiments from Sysco(Chipico kosher dill pickles, sport peppers, and neon green relish). If you intend to make money, purchase your products from a wholesaler, such as Sysco. Sell your dogs for $2.50 and you'll make money. Remember, you're importing an established, well known, original Chicago product. Don't under price your product. You'll have to do some marketing to educate your community and Vienna can help with metal signs, umbrellas, and point of sale items. Visit www.viennabeef.com and give them a call.

Happy selling.

CSD

quote:

Originally posted by thegman


All I was hoping for were some opinions on what brand names you all preferred, and what toppings.

Well, here in Michigan the regional "Good" brand is Koegels. Not sure if you can get them down there or not (but like Viennas, you can always mail order). As the survey on Roadfood dot coms home page shows, natural casing seems to be the prefered over skinless type dogs. I agree! As for toppings, my prefered dog is covered in Chili Sauce, onions, chopped pickle and mustard. Alot of the chili sauces in Michigan have pureed beans in the mix, but the further south you go, it's an all meat sauce. Many many variables...

Gman... You don't have your email turned on in your profile. Send me an email, and I'll forward you some lists I've compiled over the years...

gman

go towindycschicagohotdogs.com

Sorry; I'll try to find how to access the profile and change the email setting. Can't find a link to profile. Thanks for all the good info!
Sysco is on my list.

quote:

Originally posted by thegman

Sorry; I'll try to find how to access the profile and change the email setting. Can't find a link to profile. Thanks for all the good info!
Sysco is on my list.

Just click on "Preferences" on the top right of the page...

To see a users profile, just click on their name on the left...

Sysco has a 15 case minimum in Texas unless you pick up what you need at their "will call" dock. Make sure you get all the info from them before signing up.