Newbie asking for help

Hello all,
I've been lurking for a bit and have decided to jump in and get into the hot dog business. I am not sure if I should be on this board but hopefully I can get the answers I need. Everyone seems quite knowledgeable and friendly so I am hoping for some good input. I thank you in advance. I am NOT going to be opening a hot dog cart or concession stand or mobile concession. I am planning to open a free standing restaurant. Does anyone have any suggestions on DVD's, books, ect on starting a hot dog restaurant specifically? Everything I see seems to be geared to hot dog carts which are a nightmare in Los Angeles. I have a "hook" that I think will differentiate me from all the others out there. Has anyone opened an actual hot dog restaurant? If so, what equipment is needed? Other than health certs, business licenses, food handling cert, insurance, are there any other licenses/ certs I will need? How about cost of goods? I am aware that depends on particular product but am I safe to assume around 30%? I plan on keeping my menu very simple and do it at the highest quality I can afford. Top of the line hot dogs, french fries, ect. Is this a sound strategy? How about location? Strip malls? Free standing? Office parks? I know it's all about location , location, location Are there any techniques you have used to determine a great location? Thanks again for all the input and please feel free to add anything I may have missed. Thanks again!

thanks for the input. I think what I meant by "hook" is a theme and type of Hot Dog not normally seen out here in Los Angeles. I'm originally from the East Coast and cannot stand what passes for Hot Dogs out here( no offense to those who love Ca hot dogs) . Many years ago, I worked at a Hot Dog / Bar in a resort town on the beach. I plan on trying to duplicate what they sold and such. I plan on keeping my menu simple and high quality with dogs that are not normally seen out here. I guess I was trying to look for a dvd as a sort of "checklist" so I didn;t have to reinvent the wheel again. Everything seems to be geared to Hot Dog carts which is quite diff than brick and mortar establishments. I was hoping that someone had done it and could advise as to what to watch out for..thanks agan for the input! I 'll keep you posted on progress.....

You are in Jody Maroni's backyard there in Venice.
 
The hot dog concept is much different in CA than it is here in this area.

Yes indeed. I love JM sausage but my business in going to be in the San Fernando Valley which might as well be 500 miles from Venice LOL. I see you are in NJ - that's where I grew up and believe NJ Hot Dogs to be the best Dog on the East Coast....

Best's hot dogs (Best Provisions of Newark) is my favorite hot dog in NJ. It is also much about Sabrett and Shickhaus at the Jersey Shore.
 
I undersand the feeling of having a unique hook. There brands are not usually found in California. My parents split time in NJ & CA and are always on the quest to find NJ hot dogs. They just go to Weinerschnitzel while in CA. My sister brought them to a "specialty" place where they serve wine with hot dogs. WINE! WINE!  That is all they have to say and we laugh for a long time.
 
With that hook you will also face the challenge of serving a product that while so very popular here...is not the core of the hot dog & sausage sales concepts for CA. You might also face some  distribution issues extra costs associated with the logistics of the hot dogs.
 
That is the first step of research. Contacting the company to get a feel for the distribution source or process and making sure that process is quick and reliable. Hot dogs that are not stored or handled properly along the way get slimy.

Check out "The New England Hot Dog Company". They might be helpfull.

Really appreciate the help..thanksI will look into it!