need help and suggestions

Hi all,
I am in need of ideas for setting up a concession truck/trailer/cart. I have called Lowes, they no longer accept vendors. Home Depot had one years ago that got closed down due to violations so they aren't really up for any more vendors.

Please help with other ideas. I am hard working, willing to work and do whatever it takes to make this business successful.

Oh and the parks here are a no go. The sporting fields have non profit (church type groups)that do the concessions to raise money for their groups.

State parks reportedly all have concession stands.
Oh by the way I am about 35 min outside of Cincinnati Ohio.

Any and all advice greatly appreciated and welcomed. Thanks

quote:

Originally posted by brainfreeze
Hi all,
I am in need of ideas for setting up a concession truck/trailer/cart.
Any and all advice greatly appreciated and welcomed. Thanks

Which do you have,a concession truck/trailer/cart?
What do your local zoning department rules say?
Have you talked with them?
What does your local city, county health department say?
Have you spoken to your local health department?
What's your past experience in this field?
Have you ever worked in the food industry?
Do you like to eat?
What did you find here on Roadfood when you searched this topic?
Jack

You've GOTTA do all that stuff that Jack mentioned above. But, you also have to consider that you don't necessarily have to have a park, or a sporting field, or a large chain store to work in front of in order to be successful.

Many places have busy intersections, or part of a long busy road with a deep break-down lane, where if you obtained permission from the owner of such property, you could do well there. Also, in some towns/cities, you may be allowed to park in front of city/town property (i.e: the courthouse, city hall, the library, the fire/police dept (not in MY city, but in some, you have to ask when you request info for your city license)... these can be popular places to make some money.

I find when I'm driving around town, my eyes are always peeled for a good spot that might work out. In fact, I was at my local liquor store (which is also our local mail room) and I hadn't been in there for a while. The owner asked what's been going on, and I said I've been crazy busy finishing school and starting my new business (I knew he'd ask). He said "what new business is that?"... I JUST HAPPENED to be wearing my new ball cap with my "Dogs-2-Go" logo on it, pointed to it, and said "I have a mobile hot dog cart... isn't that fun!!" He said there was a guy who parked out in front of their store (on a busy corner intersection) a few years back and did VERY WELL there with them. He offered to let me work there if I wanted. I thanked him and said I'd keep him posted after I get things going and I get myself into a rhythm with the location I'm starting with. He left the door open and said I could start with him any time.

Look for your opportunities, they are there...

Hey, thanks for the replies so far.

Lets see, I have a converted van, I have hot dogs, condiments, am adding a flat grill soon, very very soon. I have four sinks(our health dept requires it), that takes up a bunch of room but I am learning to work around it.

I am all set up and ready to go, the truck is permitted, licensed and ready to go.

I have ketchup, relish, mustard, onions as my condiments. I am going to serve walking tacos, and breakfast sandwiches once I get my grill. I sell drinks, chips etc.

I said cart in the original posting b/c I am not opposed to buying a cart for sidewalk type sales.

I recently left a salaried position (with my Master's degree in town) to branch off and start a business, this business :)


So I am just looking for places to set up now. I too find myself looking at every place I go to see if I could set up there :)

You left a job to "start" this biz??? And what degree is it you have?? Sorry but that seems a bit foolish to me. Leave a job to "start" something you don't even know you can do.
Good luck to ya.

Foolish? hhmmm I love when people attempt to pass judgement before really knowing why.

I recently had a daughter who was diagnosed with organic failure to thrive. She was born at 8lb 13 oz, but by the time she was 6 mos old she still had regained her birth weight. I was trying to work at my salaried position however; I keep having to take her to the doctor so that they can run test to figure out why she isn't gaining weight.

My boss unfortunately was not very flexible and wanted to govern when the appointments would be, which we all know you go to the doctor when they tell you to.

So, I made the decision to leave the job. To do something that I have always loved, work with people and cook! To be my own boss so that if I am told I need to bring her to the doctor last minute, I don't have a boss threatening to fire me.

My background is Psychology and Education, btw.

Trust me, I am going to miss the salaried guaranteed income portion of my job!!!! But my daughter comes first.

So do you have any suggestions for me?

quote:

Originally posted by Janski
You have to consider that you don't necessarily have to have a park, or a sporting field, or a large chain store to work in front of in order to be successful.
Look for your opportunities, they are there...

Not to steal the thread but you made a great point. If anyone in the food business isn't always looking at the streets, businesses, shopping centers, strip malls, sporting events, and talking with people to promote their business and location (or a new location) they won't last long or they'll miss some great opportunities.
So that's a very good point.

We need to put together a reoccurring post that covers the basic questions for the seemingly endless number of cart want ta b's that come here on an almost daily bases. Just a thought I've had for the last month or so.
Jack

Jack that would be awesome. I have been through most of the threads on here, but am still new and navigating my way around so I am sure that I missed some. :)

Oh and yes, I tell anyone that I come into contact with. I had tshirts made for my whole family and we all wear them any chance we get :)

Good luck, Brainfreeze!
I'm in the same boat, I started two weeks ago.
Don't forget special events. I did pretty good at one.

Hey Sgt... can I call you that, lol.

I have been working day and night and have found about 6 events to get into that the deadline hadn't passed yet.

My first one is a two day event, estimated 3-6K people. I will be the only hot dog vendor there.

I am starting to get very nervous, b/c I have no idea what to expect with my first event and all!!!!

Thanks for the encouragement, will let you know how it goes.

Brainfreeze best of luck yes leaving the $ and position at first also struck me as foolish. When you explained why i thought right on do something you love and best is it means you are able te be there to witness first hand when the miracle your daughter being cured happens.

I am going to go out on a limb for Shelly here since I am pretty sure after reading her posts she meant no disrepect. Most people keep their fulltime jobs and get this going to make sure they can make ends meet. I am guesing thats where the foolish came in. I would be scared myself to quit my job to jump into this from the get go as there are som many uknown variables that you will run into getting started.
We actually do a kettle corn business but do it part time and it has been very good to us. I keep looking to get into the hotdog vending are just waiting for the right time and oppurtunity to get in. Best of luck to you and hope it all works out for you

Originally posted by brainfreeze
"My first one is a two day event, estimated 3-6K people. I will be the only hot dog vendor there."


I'd be really pretty nervous about just starting out with a 2-day event with 3-6K people attended... and the only dog vendor there! I sure do hope you have one or two others there to help you out on that, or it may become a bad experience for you. One or two of you can work the food, and the other can handle the cash end, making for a faster line of customers and more sanity for yourself.

Best of luck with that and let us know how it works out (and prayers and best wishes for your child's recovery!)

I am sorry I wasn't meaning to imply that Shelley meant that in an extremely negative or bad way, I am sure she like many others tilted her head in a very curious way.

OH and yes, I have solicitated a few family members to help me out with the event, as I am sure that I am in for a very busy two days!

brainfreeze. I really wasn't trying to insult you. If i came off that way, i am sorry. I was quite shocked to hear that someone would quit a salary job to explore the unknown. And unknown it certainly is. I am sorry your daughter is ill and i would like to talk to you more about that off forum as i have a friend who has a granddaughter w/ that and other illiness
I commend you for doing what you are doing but as far as being flexable, I am not so sure that this is flexiable. I know myself it is 6 days a week and alot of prep and clean up. Well what ever, good luck to you. Again, i didn't mean to offend.

Brain Freeze I understand what you are doing. I to am at a point of my work that has the WORST retirement for me. I have been there for 30 years and my nest egg has been frozen. Anyway I too have started a business selling Mexican food and have purchased a trailer with all the food permitted stuff. I hope this will be a bridge to my retirement in 3 years. I hate my job and loved to cook my adult life. I have friends who ask me to open up a restaurant and maybe if the taco trolley does well I may open a restaurant. I am from Ohio and hopefully I can get into a few small events to get my feet soaked then seek larger venues next year.

quote:

Originally posted by ShellysDawgHouse

brainfreeze. I really wasn't trying to insult you. If i came off that way, i am sorry. I was quite shocked to hear that someone would quit a salary job to explore the unknown. And unknown it certainly is. I am sorry your daughter is ill and i would like to talk to you more about that off forum as i have a friend who has a granddaughter w/ that and other illiness
I commend you for doing what you are doing but as far as being flexable, I am not so sure that this is flexiable. I know myself it is 6 days a week and alot of prep and clean up. Well what ever, good luck to you. Again, i didn't mean to offend.

Shelly might want to go back and read some of her original posts. It sounded like she was quite new to the cart business when she took the plunge. She had some failures and successes along the way. And ther were always Roadfooders there to help along the way. I personally make a very good living. And a day doesnt pass that I dont think about opening a diner, cart, or restauant....Russ

brainfreeze if you travel up north and decide to park your rig along lakeerie i would love to come and check out what you are selling. my wife started to sell toe rings for women and is a very good business in the summer. i attend her gigs and decide by seeing hundreds and possibly thousands of dollars handed over to food eaters i want to do that. i can't work with my wife because we would like to kill each other by the end of the day she also agrees with my thoughts as well. i am a little apprehensive as to the success of my taco trolley but hey I'm going to do it and if I fail it will be my fault. I hope nothing more to get help from our roadfood members minds and they will help us steer the coarse to success.

Russ
And i am still new to the biz. Let me clarify something right now and maybe i read the post wrong, took it wrong, whatever. Point i was making was this........ (and this is before knowing the WHOLE story) I thought it foolish to QUIT a job that PAYS to TRY something and NOT KNOW if it will work. I DID NOT have a job at the time of opening my cart, so i was LOSING NOTHING!!!
I am sorry i had an opinion and i will check and see if i can have one in the future.
TO ALL who have helped me in the past, THANK YOU (you know who u all are) I will try not to post again. again my point was if you are the bread winner in the family is it smart to jump in and not know what income you will have. I wish everyone luck. I have people come to my cart all the time and tell me they want to do this and how do i start and ya know what, I give them all the advice i can. Sorry for my opinion.I wasn't trying to put anyone down.
bye all

quote:

Originally posted by ShellysDawgHouse

Russ
And i am still new to the biz. Let me clarify something right now and maybe i read the post wrong, took it wrong, whatever. Point i was making was this........ (and this is before knowing the WHOLE story) I thought it foolish to QUIT a job that PAYS to TRY something and NOT KNOW if it will work. I DID NOT have a job at the time of opening my cart, so i was LOSING NOTHING!!!
I am sorry i had an opinion and i will check and see if i can have one in the future.
TO ALL who have helped me in the past, THANK YOU (you know who u all are) I will try not to post again. again my point was if you are the bread winner in the family is it smart to jump in and not know what income you will have. I wish everyone luck. I have people come to my cart all the time and tell me they want to do this and how do i start and ya know what, I give them all the advice i can. Sorry for my opinion.I wasn't trying to put anyone down.
bye all

Shelly, As a small businessperson I knew exactly what you meant. I admire your success and appreciate your comments. One large Mojito, make that two large Mojito's and post in the morning.

Joe

what great advice chicagostyledog and you to Shelly i am new to this site and food venture. hopefully we can get the help we need from advice from experienced business people. so many times when i was out with my wife i wanted to so bad go ask the food vendors...how do you do that. i will now since i will be in the line of business as they are.

quote:

Originally posted by tacomaker

Brain Freeze I understand what you are doing. I to am at a point of my work that has the WORST retirement for me. I have been there for 30 years and my nest egg has been frozen. Anyway I too have started a business selling Mexican food and have purchased a trailer with all the food permitted stuff. I hope this will be a bridge to my retirement in 3 years. I hate my job and loved to cook my adult life. I have friends who ask me to open up a restaurant and maybe if the taco trolley does well I may open a restaurant. I am from Ohio and hopefully I can get into a few small events to get my feet soaked then seek larger venues next year.

That is awesome, how are you liking it so far! What kind of places are you vending at? I haven't done any events yet, but I am hoping that they will be well worth the effort! My first one is in 1 1/2 weeks.

Oh and Tacomaker,
That is too funny about working with the wife. Toe rings, man it has been forever seen I have worn one of those! Great idea though. Are you near Bass Island by any chance?

yes i do i live in port clinton and the islands are by boat 15 min away

I am in the same boat. I was at one time looking at concession trailers to do BBQ, sandwiches, etc. Then I began attending events in South florida and noticed many vendors don't even have running water, etc!

I lost my regular job and so it's now or never to get things started doing events. I'm doing my first this weekend, roasting a pig and doing crawfish for a local poker run. I'm excited but scared to death.

I've done all the research, have 4-5 friends and family helping out, etc. I frequently cook these same dishes at home for 20-30 people in my back yard. But this is more of a crap shoot, as there is no real head count, only an estimated 200 scooters. I'm the only food vendor, which is nice...

Any suggestions/advice from you pro's is really appreciated!

Thanks,

D

Ok so my first event is this weekend and I am starting to become really nervous and overwhelmed. I feel like I am missing something...

I could use some input on a few things:
How much do you sell hot dogs for at an event?

I will be the only hot dog vendor, h/e there will be many many other food vendors!!!

I plan on sending my 8 year out with hot dogs to eat and entice the crowd, hehe. Along with Shaved ice :)

I bought really cool decorative/artsy type of cups for the shaved ice.... again what do you sell shaved ice for at an event.

The artsy cups are 12 oz and my styro foam cups are 16 oz. I have heard some mixed reviews on toppings for shaved ice, does anyone have any input on that?

I heard things like marshmellow cream, and caramel etc are great topping sellers??
I personally have never had a shaved ice with toppings on it!

Any input is greatly appreciated.
Thanks