Over coming Obstuctions with Landlords.

OK, found the best spot in this town. Strip Mall at the begiining of a Cul-de-sac.About 8 tenents that I polled to see if they would like Weenies, done right, in their parking lot..(Mostly unused, over flow).Got 100% positive.They want me there.
Separate property from the Wal-Mart and Lowes  that are at the end of the little road. In this town, no better spot.
Thinking they will wanna suck money outta me, or not(Propertey Owners), what are yer best arguments against them, to show them there is no reason to charge me. I'm talking empty parking spaces, close to the road to WM and Lowes.
 
Dang, almost missed my point.......
So, when you present the concept of a cart in the parking lot, and they fight back, what is your fight back?

Property owners have a reason to charge you, they own the property!!    To answer your question: You present the concept when you ask for permission to use their property before you use it.  Remember it doesn't have to be in the form of cash, you can tell them they can have a free lunch every time they visit(or pass by) the property, since you say its a separate property maybe you can make a deal with them to keep the area clean of trash.  There is no "fighting back" if a property owner says no.  Would you like a trespasser on your own property?  Since this is a spot with very high traffic (I assume with WM and Lowes close by) this is probably something you would want to make a regular spot so try and negotiate legitimately....otherwise if you resort to the previously mentioned "wildcattin" method you might not sell there very long... just my 2 cents.  DD  

WalMarts usually have some chain in their stores like Subway or McDonalds. They might "Beef" about you being there.  
Do you know if the property owner is local or a distant corporate commercial property company? If local, I'd approach them. If distant corporation, I'd just set up shop.

OK, a two-point question.....Can I set up and how to convince them not to charge me. I' m willing to pay, if it's reasonable. Rather not monthly but, per use, as I have other things going. Tho, this has the best potential in town and may give up other things.
Didn't mention that of the 8 business' in the strip mall...one is a tobacco shop another is an ABC .Nothing like addicts who don't mind fat-laden weenies.

Property owner is outta state, don't know if that's good or bad. Wal-Mart and Lowes are on different property, have no say. And if Wal-Mart should complain then BINGO!! I fight back and get in the news.
I guess my point is...if they first reject you, what is your rebuttell ?
Trash?....I'd scour the place every day. Plus I'm thinking of ordering custom litter bags with my name on.
Competition with B&M's?...only one is a Japanese place that closes between lunch and dinner.
Liabilaty......got $2,000,000 of insurance.
So, if you've been rejected....what were the reasons? If you overcame objections...how did you do it?
I'm working up a proposal and wanna get it right. The first time.
Did I mention if you go to Wal-Mart or Lowes, you pass me both ways?
 

If I were a Strip Mall owner, it would be my job to keep the right stores in my Mall. The better and more popular stores would keep the public coming to the Mall and would bring more business to the other stores in the Mall. It's isn't easy finding and keeping the right mix of stores, the more popular the stores the higher the traffic. I can't see how a Hot Dog cart would be an asset to the betterment of the Mall. If anything it would be an eye sore, and not something I would want to help promote new Mall business and traffic. The food trucks I see in my town are located at smaller locally owned stores/businesses, it is more likely that a local owner would want to help out a small business owner. Most of the strip malls are larger Corporations and could care less about you or your business. ..............pnwc

PNWCHEF,
I'm not sure you read his first post correctly. He called it a mall, but, as he later explained, it's actually an 8 store strip center, NOT a mall, with 1 store being a Tobacco Shop and another a liquor store. I assume the other six stores are small mom & pops. There's no food outlet close nearby. The town of Fieldale,VA had 929 people in the 2000 Census! Not what you would call a major shopping center in SW VA. They were however, the first town in SW VA to have sidewalks, electrical lighting and municipal water and sewers!
Therefore, image is not a major issue. It's not like having a cart outside a Macy's! I see many carts and food trucks showing up in or near these older strip centers. They need them to help draw traffic to compete with the big box stores and Regional Malls.
The property owner is Out of State and since it's only an 8 store strip center, I'd bet the owner doesn't show up very often.
(jcheese- Ask the current shopowners how often they see the landlord. If infrequent, I'd just set up. ---And are there any vacant storefronts available?If so, having your cart there is a selling point to draw traffic and help the landlord rent the vacant spaces.)

We set up in an empty gas station while in TX. We even called the realtor who got permission from the owner. No charge. Don't assume everyone wants to charge you for setting up.

"It's easier to ask forgiveness than it is to get permission!"
(This quote is attributed to Rear Admiral Grace Hopper, an Amazing woman!)

Set up and if the owner squawks, here's your combacks:

1. IMPORTANT- If the landlord shows up, ask the current tenants to support you with positive comments.
2. "All your current tenants asked me to be here. They said it's a great idea. They say it helps their Businesses" "
3. If they're making money, you have happy tenants and you're making money too!"
4. " It causes people to stop, and possibly shop, that would otherwise just drive by."
5. " I've been inspected by the Health Department and as you can see, I believe in keeping the area around my cart clean & tidy".