Where do you prep and store your cart?

Hi everyone! A really good thing happened to me yesterday... I got laid off. Why is this good? Because I've been thinking about starting a hot dog cart business for a long time and this has given me the kick-in-the-pants I need to actually do it! For what it's worth, I want to do this because: A) I really do like hot dogs- so much so I did a report on the history of hot dogs for a culinary class I took last year; and B) I'm tired of others controlling my destiny and it's time I took that control back!

So anyway, I've started to write a business plan and the main challenge I have to this point is where to store the cart and do food prep. I'm in the process of checking with the different towns/cities in my area as I want to be in compliance with the health codes. I live in the Dallas, TX area.

Anyway, I would certainly appreciate any advice on the subject. Did any of you have a similar problem starting out and if so what did you do to solve it?

Thanks!

Every town/city will be different.
It is best to contact your local health department regarding the specific hoops you must jump through.

Welcome to the laid off club and roadfood. Happened to me last year. It is shocking at first but it wakes you up after a few weeks. I think I thought about life more and what i really wanted to do. I would have been spinning my wheels there for another 11 years for sure. Just ask around town. Bars, Liquir stores,kitchens,cafe's, anywhere that has a kitchen. Sometimes they even let you store it at a storage facility as long as you have a letter saying you can store your food at the kitchen and wash your pans there. It is different everywhere. Like Trentondog said, step one is calling the Health department and having them send you the literature. Then its cart shopping time (the fun part)  I love my cart more then my SUV and it only cost me $1200. You grow attached to them.
 
Good Luck and start on page one of this forum. Alot of interesting and useful threads you will be reading for days and weeks.

Thanks everyone for your responses. I'll take them to heart as I prepare my business plan. Of course, any other advice would be greatly appreciated as I am one to heed the advice of those with more experience than me.

Anyway, thanks again!

 

bob1007


Thanks everyone for your responses. I'll take them to heart as I prepare my business plan. Of course, any other advice would be greatly appreciated as I am one to heed the advice of those with more experience than me.

Anyway, thanks again!

Touch base with me as I live in Frisco. We may be able to help each other.
WaydeG