Thenoob is expanding and is looking for ideas...

hey guys!
  
   I'm opening another 2 locations in a week all of them downtown vancouver.  I am rolling out signature dogs with these locations and am looking for input:  here is what i have now


1.  Mexi dog - Jalapeno and cheddar smokie, salsa, melted cheddar cheese and tortilla chips in the bun.

2.  Rueben dog - Dog, ranch dressing, sauerkraut, swiss cheese

3.  5-0 dog  - Dog, Grilled teriyaki pineapple, sauted onions, melted cheese

4.  Texas dog - Dog, Brown beans in spicy tomatoe sauce sprinkled cheddar cheese


what do u guys think?  Any ideas??

Things have been going insanely well.  On pace right now having 800.00 days right now.  Just getting ready to add my ice cream bike to my location right now....would love some input!!

What no Cream Cheese???
Wiki Hot dog variations. That might give you some additional Idea's
I am a big fan of the Sonoran dog here in Phoenix.
I am moving up to Seattle here in a few weeks. I am going to do something there quite odd and rarely seen...... I am just going to sell straight up New York dirty water dogs. Chili, Kraut or Red Onions that's it. Well maybe Cream Cheese LOL!!

Hey Noob, remember what got you here. Your Ideas, your personality, you eagerness to succeed. You bring the excitment to you business, make sure the people you hire are just like you.
   I would keep it simple. Look what works for BikerJim, he has quality everything and a fun menu. I think what people are looking for is Quality. Quality equals taste and flavor. I think you should keep the sausage and dogs good and tasty, simple and fast. You could think outside the box with other menu items. Always remember what got you to this point.
  My business was build around me. The customer bought because I served a quality product with a personility. People love people with a fun outlook on life. I know your the sameway, you bring an excitement to your business, Remember more carts doesn't mean more money. Don't measure you success in $$$$$ measure it with customer satisfaction. Look at your business with an idea of what makes you happy. Are you measuring your success in $$$$$$$ or the satisfaction you get dealing with the customers on a daily basis..

A Rueben would be with a German sausage, 1000 island dressing, swiss cheese, kraut.
I would take the ideas from what already works and sells on carts across America. Inventing new ideas is not an easy process. See what works in different regions in the states. .........Your in Canada I would see what kind of regional sausage that are available. Elk, Venison, Carabou, Bear, Moose, Buffalo, whatever, it all yells Oh Canada............Good Luck........Bill .............P.S keep the amount of money you make to yourself. You don't need to advertize you have $800 on you in an outside cart location.........Just looking out for your back buddy.........Bill

Congrats on your success.  If you're selling $2.00 dogs, an $800 day means you are selling a dog every 70 seconds, non stop for 8 hrs.  You must be a lot younger than I am cause this old man couldn't keep up the pace.  Good luck.

Mike S.

BillyB

I would take the ideas from what already works and sells on carts across America. Inventing new ideas is not an easy process. See what works in different regions in the states. .........Your in Canada I would see what kind of regional sausage that are available. Elk, Venison, Carabou, Bear, Moose, Buffalo, whatever, it all yells Oh Canada............Good Luck........Bill .............P.S keep the amount of money you make to yourself. You don't need to advertize you have $800 on you in an outside cart location.........Just looking out for your back buddy.........Bill

Why reinvent the wheel?
My menu consists of 6 different varieties of hot dogs (Splitter Dog, Double Splitter, Chili Dog, Slaw Dog, Chicago Dog, Border Dog)  2 sausages (usually Polish and Brat) and a Hot Link. Keep your inventory simple and manageable.

guys....

   listen im not trying to reinvent the wheel, just add a couple of signature dogs.  There is a place in van called Japadog.  They do asian toppings on their hot dogs.

   These guys print money.  They have a lineup for 4 hours a day at least 20 people deep at all times.  They prolly gross 2-3000 a day.

    Now to compete with that since im moving into their area, im going to add signature dogs....my way.  You have to compete.  My goal is to create an even bigger buzz than they got

Reach for the starts bud. Good luck with your ideas. that would be nice to make that kinda money a day.

Know you are trying different items in different areas, but why not let the customers tell you what they want. Customers here let me know they wanted Hot Links so added. We have a Hot Slaw here 25 miles up the line people never heard of it.
Different areas customers will let you know,listen. I couldn't tell you that condor or spotted owl sausages will fly,pun there.

Hey Noob,
Your menu sounds great.  There is plenty of average out there.  Do something a bit different.  Stand out.  Go for it, and good luck.
And hey hot_dog I go through anywhere from 1 1/2 to 3 lbs of cream cheese a day on hot dogs.  People kind of dig it.  I guess the cream cheese dog thing started in Seattle, so don't rule it out.

thenoob


guys....

  listen im not trying to reinvent the wheel, just add a couple of signature dogs.  There is a place in van called Japadog.  They do asian toppings on their hot dogs.

  These guys print money.  They have a lineup for 4 hours a day at least 20 people deep at all times.  They prolly gross 2-3000 a day.

   Now to compete with that since im moving into their area, im going to add signature dogs....my way.  You have to compete.  My goal is to create an even bigger buzz than they got

Noob -
I'm not saying that you shouldn't be creative - far from that. The risk is you invest time and resources into a product that doesn't meet a customer's needs. Ultimately, that's what our business is all about. Fill a need - keep a customer.


I got to thinking that you could always add a wide variety of add ons and ask your customers to invent your next dog - even name it after them. The idea of adding cultural staples like kimchi, adobo sauce, wasabi, etc. is an interesting concept. Keep us posted.