photo credit: TheBusyBrain
Hot dogs are enjoying a renaissance of sorts, especially in Columbus, Ohio where six new eateries that specialize in the tasty bun-filled meals have opened up recently.
Food snobs needn’t scoff: With toppings ranging from dried cranberries to cream cheese served on high-quality wieners, the timeless hand-held meal has turned into the face of sloppy chic.
“These aren’t your gas-station hot dogs,” said Rebecca Krutko, an ex- banker who opened Wunderdaug during November in the Clintonville neighborhood. “People who eat hot dogs are die-hard connoisseurs.
First, you should read the Hot Dog Cash System. It lays everything out as a step by step process and offers some great secrets like how to find free locations, some great dog recipes and a list of supplies that you’ll need to get started — including where to get them at wholesale prices!
Then you should figure out what kind of hot dogs you’d like to sell. As mentioned early, and in the linked article, mustard isn’t the only condiment that people expect to be available for their hot dog anymore. Unique flavors and toppings are the norm. Read a book like the Great American Hot Dog Book, The: Recipes and Side Dishes from Across America to explore the many taste options and decide which ones you’ll offer.
Next you should purchase a hot dog cart. If you’re lucky you’ll be able to find one on the local Craigslist, but if not you’ll need to approach a specialized hot dog cart companies. From these companies, carts range in price from about $1000 for a small used cart, to over $10,000 depending on what options, accessories and size you choose. Here are some good vendors to check out:
- Willydogs
- All American Hot Dog Carts
- The Hot Dog Cart.com
- American Dream Hot Dog Carts
You’ll also need to get some kind of state or local license, especially if you want to operate on the sidewalk. Unfortunately, this process will probably be the most daunting of them all. It will require that you jump through many hurdles, and wait in plenty of lines, but eventually you’ll receive “permission” to sell your dogs and will be able to get to work.
If you’re really interested in starting a hot dog business, the following educational resources might also be helpful: