The HotDog Biz

I've met a few really nice and informative folks on Roadfood.com. Been in the hotdog business for 4 years abroad. Good business but am looking to head "home" and want to hear from folks in the HotDog Business who have made it, love it, can't get enough of it. I presently have a staff (another business) of 15. I not only have them but their birthdays, sick days, sick dog days, broken nail days, "I'm unhappy days". I love the hot dog business cause its all up to me. I'm not money hungry but want to make a living out of it. I also make great dogs! That's important but so is the service provided. Mark from Chicagostyledogs has his finger on how to make it work. How do you make it work? All American Hot Dog says you can achieve a turnover of 30,000+. That'd do me. Is it for real? Oh, Happy New Year to one and all. Skip

it is a tough buisness.no work no pay period. no chance to make up missed money.take a day off people dont buy 6 tommorrow cuz they didnt get three today,miss today and mcdonalds,or bk,or wendys got your money.been doin it for goin on three years and its tough as hell. lost my first spot due to construction for a new shopping plaza. tried around the corner aways but not the same exsposure.now im on the other side of town still not the same.now i got two kids they get sick and i usually stay home cuz the wife got the good job with the bennys.dont really want to jeopardize that.good luck and god bless to any one who wants to give it a try.

There are many diff ways to go in the Hot Dog Business. One way is a cart. I feel this is for downtowns or Malls. I worked one downtown right on square of town, Did an average of 125.00 a day if it didn't rain. 5 days a week. I read an article of a NYC vendor doing about $70.00 a day with competition on other 3 corners. Next you can buy a concession trailer and do the circut. or put it in a rented location. I work 5 days a week from 9 till 2 and can have sales of $7.50 one day and sales of $125.00 the next, I know it happened to me. Right now I closed my concession wagon, too cold! No money coming in. Luckely I'm retired and have another Ptime job at a food court in a Wholesale club. Money is not my goal, Independence is and being my own Boss.
Cowboy Bob 2

Where's ChicagoStyleDog??? He's the man with the answers! Considering he's been quiet lately, probably took his profits from the last season and kickin back in either Florida or the Bahamas! (Cant say I blame the man, considering how cold it's been lately)...

Also, Ohman, he's a part timer in the biz... He'd probably have some comments also!

Oh, and cant forget JohnFox.. He's probably seen carts come and go during his study for a better hot dog... (Probably in the Bahamas with CSD enjoying daschounds on the beach)...

My ultimate goal is to have a hot dog truck on either Crescent or Daytona Beach when I retire. I spoke with a man several years ago who did this that was a retired Civil Engineer. He said by all means it wasn't inexpensive to start up and the work could be long, HOT and hard. He felt it was still worth it. As a kid I help out at one for a weekend(only)and loved it. From that point on I said it's what I'd do. My daughter thinks I'm crazy but said she'd join me. I still have 9 years to come up with a plan. Maybe by then I'll when the lottery and my hot dog stand can be my hobby!

quote:

Originally posted by UncleVic

Where's ChicagoStyleDog??? He's the man with the answers! Considering he's been quiet lately, probably took his profits from the last season and kickin back in either Florida or the Bahamas! (Cant say I blame the man, considering how cold it's been lately)...

Also, Ohman, he's a part timer in the biz... He'd probably have some comments also!

Oh, and cant forget JohnFox.. He's probably seen carts come and go during his study for a better hot dog... (Probably in the Bahamas with CSD enjoying daschounds on the beach)...

Vic,
We're closed from January-April. Too cold to sell outdoors.

quote:

Originally posted by chicagostyledog

quote:

Originally posted by UncleVic

Where's ChicagoStyleDog??? He's the man with the answers! Considering he's been quiet lately, probably took his profits from the last season and kickin back in either Florida or the Bahamas! (Cant say I blame the man, considering how cold it's been lately)...

Also, Ohman, he's a part timer in the biz... He'd probably have some comments also!

Oh, and cant forget JohnFox.. He's probably seen carts come and go during his study for a better hot dog... (Probably in the Bahamas with CSD enjoying daschounds on the beach)...

Vic,
We're closed from January-April. Too cold to sell outdoors.

Darn. Just when I was getting hungry, too.

I just closed down my HD Trailer, in PA, It's too cold, here too! I miss it, The people, the money, My great chili, & Pork BBQ, At least I won't starve this winter. Hot Dogs and my other products will be frozen until March. Supplier says they will keep frozen for 6 months. I repacked them into 6ea vac packed bags & dated them.
Cowboy Bob 2

quote:

Originally posted by chicagostyledog

quote:

Originally posted by UncleVic

Where's ChicagoStyleDog??? He's the man with the answers! Considering he's been quiet lately, probably took his profits from the last season and kickin back in either Florida or the Bahamas! (Cant say I blame the man, considering how cold it's been lately)...

Also, Ohman, he's a part timer in the biz... He'd probably have some comments also!

Oh, and cant forget JohnFox.. He's probably seen carts come and go during his study for a better hot dog... (Probably in the Bahamas with CSD enjoying daschounds on the beach)...

Vic,
We're closed from January-April. Too cold to sell outdoors.

CSD! So you keeping warm on some tropical beach running that laptop in wireless mode? Ya been awfully quiet! Made me wonder... You'll probably get a good taste of that blizzard tonight thats hitting our neck of the country (if your not hiding on a beach somewhere)..

Just how much money would you need to start a hot dog business anyway? Say a mobile concession trailer?

What kind of margins does this kind of hot dog business experience?

quote:

Originally posted by sop that

What kind of margins does this kind of hot dog business experience?

Oh I'd say same as, if not more then a fixed operation.. With alot less overhead..

Funny you should ask. I just developed a program using Micro Soft Excel that tells me by item and by over all sales what the margin is. I use an average cost comparison of each item category sold for example all brands of Hot Dog; Sabrett's, Hebrew national, Nathan’s, Oscar Mayer and Ball Park and use the average. Then I calculate the average price for all condiments using a one (1) oz. serving. The same goes for chips and beverages. I then have another sheet where I put things like Insurance, rent licenses, transportation, repairs and just about any thing else you will come up against, Oh even straws and napkins to. When scoping out a potential location I find out how many people WALK by where I will set up my cart and use a 1% capture for sales, plug in that number and it tells me how much I will gross and net. I am going to test the accuracy of it starting Oct the 20th or there about. What I also like about my program is I can put in what I will charge for each item to see the margin before I actually start selling the item to see what I will make on it.

jojobeans

You would be safe with $5,000.00 but could start with used equipmet for about $2,000.00.

Jojobeans

quote:

Originally posted by IceCreamGirl

Just how much money would you need to start a hot dog business anyway? Say a mobile concession trailer?

Would you be interested in sharing your program? I can give you feed back on it and it sounds like something I would be interested in.

jojobeans,

Thanks for the info! I love the power of excel!

I am not currently in the food business, I was many years ago and I remember the margins on some items like fountain drinks was excellent but margins on hotdogs or hamburgers was low, certainly under 15% at the prices we were charging.

In order to make a decent profit we pushed the beverages and other higher profit items.

I enjoyed the business, it never felt like work dispite the long hours.

Oh! If you want the new file send me an email again. I suggest not using the old on because it will give you the wrong results.
Here is the new cart, I love it!
http://www.geocities.com/kayak_bobby/Photos/Hummer2.gif
jojobeans

Done!

WIF_VER1.03 is done. all errors are fixed.

QUESTION:
Why are there no true national hot dog chains?

Indeed, Nathan's has a few stores out there. And there's a regional chain here and there. But, this is a nation that loves hot dogs. And yet, insofar as frankfurters are concerned, there is nothing approximating a Waffle House in number of locations and national reach, let alone something as large in scope as a Wendy's. Why?

Yes, people like their regional brands and styles. But all chains regionalize to a degree. You'd think by now there'd be a chain that tailored its offerings to each area.

Hypothetical case: ScreenBear's Hot Dog Joint sells Chicago Style dogs, using Vienna Beef dogs, Rosen rolls in the Midwest, and in the Mid Atlantic region they sell a Best Provisions or a Sabrett, offering the usual mustard, kraut, relish.

In the South, a local dog from North Carolina, and lots of slaw at the ready. On the West Coast? Whatever is the latest rage. Etc., Etc. Etc.

Any thoughts why this has never flown, aside from the fact that people want their hot dog places to be individualized and a little funky?
The Bear

Check out Woody's Chicago Style

Jojobeans, could I also get this program from you? I'm a knothead when it comes to the program, so it would take me years to work this one out without your assistance. Pleeeeeeeeeeeeease????

quote:

Originally posted by jojobeans

Funny you should ask. I just developed a program using Micro Soft Excel that tells me by item and by over all sales what the margin is. I use an average cost comparison of each item category sold for example all brands of Hot Dog; Sabrett's, Hebrew national, Nathan’s, Oscar Mayer and Ball Park and use the average. Then I calculate the average price for all condiments using a one (1) oz. serving. The same goes for chips and beverages. I then have another sheet where I put things like Insurance, rent licenses, transportation, repairs and just about any thing else you will come up against, Oh even straws and napkins to. When scoping out a potential location I find out how many people WALK by where I will set up my cart and use a 1% capture for sales, plug in that number and it tells me how much I will gross and net. I am going to test the accuracy of it starting Oct the 20th or there about. What I also like about my program is I can put in what I will charge for each item to see the margin before I actually start selling the item to see what I will make on it.

jojobeans

quote:

Originally posted by jojobeans

Oh! If you want the new file send me an email again. I suggest not using the old on because it will give you the wrong results.
Here is the new cart, I love it!
http://www.geocities.com/kayak_bobby/Photos/Hummer2.gif
jojobeans

Hey jojo is there any chance I might look at this software?

quote:

Originally posted by jojobeans

WIF_VER1.03 is done. all errors are fixed.

Hello, my name is Mike and I operate a hot dog cart(Capt Mike's Gourmet grill) in Spring Hill Fl. I sell Hebrew Natl #8 and Best Kosher 1/4 lb and Italian Sausages I buy from Sams. I have an application on file with Street Eats and I'm trying to secure the Brooksville Lowe's. Iam currently located at a local car wash and auto repair store that has alot of low speed car traffic. I also have an italian ice cart that I plan to operate in the warm season. Its all about location isn't it?

quote:

Originally posted by Runyan

quote:

Originally posted by jojobeans

WIF_VER1.03 is done. all errors are fixed.

Hello, my name is Mike and I operate a hot dog cart(Capt Mike's Gourmet grill) in Spring Hill Fl. I sell Hebrew Natl #8 and Best Kosher 1/4 lb and Italian Sausages I buy from Sams. I have an application on file with Street Eats and I'm trying to secure the Brooksville Lowe's. Iam currently located at a local car wash and auto repair store that has alot of low speed car traffic. I also have an italian ice cart that I plan to operate in the warm season. Its all about location isn't it?

Yes,it is location. There's a Hot Dog Cart In St, Joseph, Michigan that runs May thur Sept. The man that owms it was a St. Joseph City Fire Fighter, He has four children, each of them ran it at different times from aroundx 1987 to 2000, they all put their selves thourgh college just running it these five months a Year. Now the gentlemen that was a fire fighter, retired and He nows runs it. St. Joseph is directly on Lake Michigan, thus it is a Tourist Town.

I seen two other Hot Dog Carts open up in 2 other Towns, both Towns within in 30 miles of St. Joseph but both are way inland from Lake Michigan and are not tourist towns.

Both Carts failed in their first summer. All three towns have populations less than 13,000 people.

Hi mike.
Hey do you use Joel for a commisary? He can currently do you a better price than Sam's.I also do Hebrew National in St. Pete.
Larry

I am in the process of getting into the food business to suppliment my retirement income which is getting closer.

I can go either way, but one of the big problems I am dealing with right now is whether to go with a cart or a concession trailer.

The cart would get me into the business at a lower cost, but the trailer would allow me to work in most weather, and would also allow me to have a larger assortment of foods for my customers.

Then I wonder how hard it would be to get a location to set up for a trailer vs a cart???

YES, it's driving me crazy... I see plus and minus sides for either...

Any suggestions???

Thanks

quote:

Originally posted by Jjudd

I am in the process of getting into the food business to suppliment my retirement income which is getting closer.

Then I wonder how hard it would be to get a location to set up for a trailer vs a cart???


Any suggestions???

Thanks

Here's a thread from last fall that may help you out:
http://www.roadfood.com/Forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=9558

I suggest you research "Restaurant Professional Forum" located closer to the top of the forum. This subject matter has been hashed and rehashed. I think you will find it quite informative. Good luck.

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

Went to the Professional Forum etc... and did some in depth snooping, found much valuable information.

ANOTHER QUESTION.... when you are working the carts/trailers.... where do you do your doo?? I'm sure the question is a bit silly, but does this pose problems???