How to Start a Hotdog Cart

[nirmallll patel]

Choosing the right hotdog cart. Decide on the manufacturer you want to go with. There are several reputable manufacturers out there. Some big and other smaller operations Exotic carts. You can buy new or used. There are resources online. eBay or Craigslist are options as well. Do your due diligence here but do not spend all of your time researching hotdog carts. Although, this is your biggest investment you have other business to attend to.

Another option that you may not realize is that you can build your own cart. This can literally save you thousands of dollars while having the pride and joy of building it yourself. This way you can customize it to the exact specifications that you want.

The laws governing your particular state will have specific requirements regarding how your hotdog cart should be outfitted. One such requirement is the number of sinks. Some States only require one sink and others four or more. Some states may require sneeze guards. These are issues you need to find out beforehand.

Getting licensed is another issue. In most cases you cannot just go down to any street corner and start selling hotdogs. You will need a business license required by your local and state government. A Health Department Permit. A food handlers license. Your cart will need to be approved by the city in which you live. Go to your local city clerk's office or find them online. They will have the information you need for starting a street concession/vending business.

Discuss with your cart manufacturer your situation and what your state requires. If you build your hotdog cart yourself you can easily add the equipment your state requires. I have seen some incredible self built hotdog carts. It truly amazes me of the idea's people come up with. Build it to the correct specifications. Keep your cart clean. You will pass with flying colors.

If the Hotdog Cart manufacturer is a reputable one they will work with you. They understand about state requirements. They should also be able to supply you with blueprints of their carts. If they cannot provide any of this. Look elsewhere.

Find a location(s) This is really the most difficult part of the process. You can be stationary, travel to festivals, cater birthday parties, work grand openings, etc. You could locate near a college campus. This is the perfect meal for a college student. Especially, if they are on the go between classes. Children's birthday parties is another great idea! I bet not many caterers offer this option. The hotdog cart itself is the attraction.

Brand yourself. Dress appropriately. You do not have to wear a chef's hat but be clean with a nice shirt. Maybe, a polo shirt with your logo. Jean's are okay but make sure they are not worn. No cologne. You want them smelling your delicious hotdogs not you. Project a professional image.

Come up with a logo, color scheme, a banner, a canopy over your operation, etc. I can still remember Hot-Dog on a Stick's colors. Red, yellow, blue. Your umbrella will be an attention getter. Make up a professional menu board. Create fun names for your offerings. So, the next time your customers come to see you they will remember what they ordered. The name will stick in their head. You can name a hotdog after your city's Mayor or a Baseball player in your hometown. You get the idea.

Decide on a menu When starting out you probably have ideas of an elaborate menu. Five different types of hotdogs and sausages, exotic toppings, etc. My best advice is K.I.S.S. Keep it super simple. A good quality hotdog, chips, and soda. Condiments could be: ketchup, mustard, onion and relish.

Do not try to locate a contact a food distributor at least when starting out. They will usually require a minimum order. Go to your local club warehouse. They will have everything you need to get started. A warehouse should have several good quality hotdog brands. They will have some utensils, condiment pumps, etc. Your hotdog cart manufacturer should be able to help you out with anything else that you may need.

Keeping a simple menu, will save you a lot of headaches. Especially, when starting out keeping it basic will help you serve your customers in a more timely and efficient manner. Keep your customers happy! These products are also classified by the health department as non-hazardous foods. This will give you a much easier pass inspection by your local health department.

So, in conclusion, there is quite a lot to think about when starting a Hotdog Cart Business. Treat it like any other business. You may want to write a business plan. You will need this if your planning on applying for a loan. The topics that I have touched on such as; cart selection, location, licenses, permits, food and branding are some of the main elements to think about when starting this business. I hope the idea's in this article will help get you on your way to a fun and profitable business.