How to Run a Hot Dog Stand.

I hoping this will be a group exercise. The topic is to add to the list of things needed to run a successful hot dog stand. I know TKC and Liz have business experience. I am sure others do also.

I will start off the list with No. 1.

  1. Hot Dogs
  2. A group of hungry people who favor hot dogs and are willing to part with present or future earnings to acquire a hot dog and satisfy that hunger.
  3. Refrigerator
  4. Location
  5. Signs
  6. Mustard (in weaponized containers)
  7. *
  8. *
  9. *
  10. *
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61 Responses to How to Run a Hot Dog Stand.

  1. BrentB67BrentB67 says:

    #1, while logical is incorrect.

    #1 should always be a group of hungry people who favor hot dog and are willing to part with present or future earnings to acquire a hot dog and satisfy that hunger.

    The first mistake people make in business, especially retail, is focusing on the inventory and/or the delivery. When the focus needs to be on what problem/need your business will solve that people willingly part with $.

    • 10 Cents10 Cents says:

      Brent, I am not making a list of what you do first. I am making of things one needs. You are correct that before you can start buying anything one needs a business plan.

    • 10 Cents10 Cents says:

      Does anyone get the feeling that I am getting that Brent was a Hot Dog Pilot?

  2. BrentB67BrentB67 says:

    I didn’t say anything about a business plan. I was responding to your question about a list of things you need.

    If you don’t have my #1 and go buy hot dogs, buns, etc. all you have is a pile of inventory rapidly declining in value.

    • 10 Cents10 Cents says:

      Brent, are you going to stand there or are you going to order a hot dog? Would you like a Coke with that?

    • 10 Cents10 Cents says:

      You are right. I need a refrigerator.

      • BrentB67BrentB67 says:

        Ah yes, a large mechanical capital asset that no only costs capital to acquire, but also generates expense in the form of utility consumption to sustain soon to be worthless inventory also known as a solution in search of a problem.

  3. PencilvaniaPencilvania says:

    You need a spot to set up that is close to where all those hungry people are. Location, location, location.

    You need signage that says HOT DOGS facing every direction those people are walking.

    I don’t know if you absolutely need it, but it would be good to have a nice savory aroma emanating from your stand to get that Pavlovian response.

  4. BrentB67BrentB67 says:

    So far Dime all the advice says worry about the demand more than supply.

    • 10 Cents10 Cents says:

      Mustard in weaponized containers.

      “Brent, would you like mustard with that hot dog? Oops!!!”

  5. PencilvaniaPencilvania says:

    Spicy brown mustard. Food fight!
    Hey that might sell a lotta dogs!

    • 10 Cents10 Cents says:

      I like to think of them as giving extra service to the etiquette challenged patrons rather than food fights. Plus there are extra points if I hit his tie.

  6. EThompson says:

    A good relationship with a stadium or arena owner!

  7. EThompson says:

    I know everybody on this site will be shocked that my favorite reality show is Shark Tank; with your particular goals Dime, I recommend presenting a good pitch to Mark Cuban. :)

    Here some of this shark’s (term is wishful thinking, indeed),list:

    1. Two-fers
    2. Made to order toppings.
    3. Allow customers to place pre-orders before the game so they don’t have to wait in line during half-time of the 7th inning stretch.
    4. Consider pre-purchasing with seat location so it can be delivered to you directly.
    5. Charge more for these services. I’ve attended NHL play-off games at $600 per seat (I wasn’t paying) but people who can afford to attend sporting events are not pinching pennies.

    • PencilvaniaPencilvania says:

      Laser-focused customer perks, so smart.

      • EThompson says:

        Especially when we’re talking about wealthy consumers who always react positively to VIP treatment! Liberals waste far too much money criticizing this particular socio-economic demographic when they, in fact, are allowing owners to grow businesses that are usually low margin!

        • 10 Cents10 Cents says:

          Yes, the 80 20 rule can apply to a premium Hot Dog Stand. Another type would just go for volume and no frills.

          • DevereauxDevereaux says:

            But if you’re going “up-scale” you should sell bratwurst, preferably from Sheboigan.

          • EThompson says:

            Volume occurs at hugely attended sporting events that are so expensive nobody cares about the cost of a coke and a dog.

            Focus on what truly irritates people- the wait in line for everything! I’ve attended two events at the Joe Louis Arena and my childhood pal who had bought me a seat to sit “on the ice” also had access to a private bathrooms reserved for season ticket holders.

            I just shot him a message about my concessions idea; he loved it. We normally go out to dinner beforehand because we don’t want to hassle waiting in line with drunk and disorderly hockey fans.

            Not that there is anything wrong with that. :))

  8. Whiskey SamWhiskey Sam says:

    A) A cart to keep the hot dogs in
    B) A monkey in a costume to drum up business

    • 10 Cents10 Cents says:

      Minky, do you have a young relative that needs work or did the organ grinder lay you off again?

      • PencilvaniaPencilvania says:

        Superb! the monkey launches the auxiliary merchandise – a banana on a sweet bun (drizzled with chocolate or peanut butter sauce) for dessert; little plush monkey dolls (maybe lose the cigarette for that); monkey theme t-shirts . . .

  9. TKC1101TKC1101 says:

    In this day and age, all I need is people willing to pay me for my hot dogs, a way to communicate with them and a way to take their money.

    The actual hot dog making I can subcontract. Do you think Amazon makes all the stuff they sell?

    The trick is in the question- “Hot dog stand” is the retail end. You view that as a separate business from producing hot dogs for consumption.

    Now, the numbers may work out to do both, but that is not a forgone conclusion.

    • 10 Cents10 Cents says:

      TKC,

      My first thoughts for this post was the minimal things needed to get a Hot Dog Stand up and running. I never thought about a stadium franchise, Internet sales, or sub-contracting.

      • DevereauxDevereaux says:

        Well, you had best be considering a city franchise fee. Most cities charge street vendors a fee for doing business.

  10. PencilvaniaPencilvania says:

    It seems everybody contributed ideas according to their experience, which was fun. It satisfies your original idea in that respect, doesn’t it, Sockretary of Hosiery?

    • 10 Cents10 Cents says:

      Pencil, I am not a Sockretary. I am a Footwear Assistant. I am more than a pretty face.

  11. 10 Cents10 Cents says:

    What do we name the Hot Dog Stand?

  12. EThompson says:

    You need to determine the socio-demograpic ‘handle’ and location of any business before you ascribe a name.

  13. PencilvaniaPencilvania says:

    You should keep the name very literal. But you should also keep it in step with the current Protest Economy, wherein every cause comes with a knitted hat in a neon color, and a ticket for a charter bus to the demonstration. So, I think you should name it ‘Stand with Hot Dogs.’

    • EThompson says:

      In the spirit of this post and the ice hockey events I attend where players with powerful and accurate shots are referred to as “snipers,” I say we name the arena franchise business ‘We let the DOGS out.’

  14. 10 Cents10 Cents says:

    This is SERIOUS. You guys are telling jokes. Great names but that is besides the point.

    Bun Dog Beverage.
    Big Dogs Best
    Bowl Diamond Bowl

    • EThompson says:

      Seriously, I vote for Big Dogs if you can get that trademarked because it was the name of a now defunct clothing line.

      It’s simple and to the point. Like!

  15. PencilvaniaPencilvania says:

    They are yoga positions, aren’t they?

  16. 10 Cents10 Cents says:

    Do I have a vending machine or kiosk to handle all the money? Brent wants a job but no way is he worth minimum wage. He doesn’t even think hot dogs at a hot dog stand is important. He makes great presentations though.

    • EThompson says:

      Yeah, but I understand the new level of insane consumerism. Do 13 yr-olds really need a $600 I-Phone?

      No, but they want one!

  17. 10 Cents10 Cents says:

    Pencil, how about a link to a graphic?

  18. PencilvaniaPencilvania says:

    oh brother, I forget how to do that. Lemme try to figure that out again. There’s no way to put the image in a comment, is there? You can only put images in an OP?

  19. PencilvaniaPencilvania says:

    http://balldiamondball.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/littleweenieslogofinish1.jpg

    does that work? That’s a logo I did for a client but I don’t think they ever built the business.

    • 10 Cents10 Cents says:

      Was the client a congressman from New York with a Middle Eastern wife?

  20. PencilvaniaPencilvania says:

    ha! augh
    no selfies were used in the making of this drawing.

    • 10 Cents10 Cents says:

      Are you saying that Anthony might not be the best spokesperson for the franchise?

      • 10 Cents10 Cents says:

        How about for advertising we have a hot blond with a dynamite body?

        Oh, did I forget about the amazing ‘stache he has?

        • EThompson says:

          I am intrigued with this business plan for Big Dogs because it offers three alternatives:

          1. Wait in line to order at the main counter for however long it takes.
          2. Pre-order and pick up during third period breaks, half-time, or 7th inning stretches. Have your receipt ready.
          3. Pre-order; show your ticket stubs at point of purchase and have it delivered to your seat.

          The beauty of options #2 and #3 allow you to charge more as they are a tad more labor intensive. Note to employees, however: Bet you can engender some decent tips.

          Owner of business should present three different counters for three different services. My guess is that #1 should have double employee coverage in the beginning until customers get used to concierge service.

          I like hotdogs but I won’t eat beef or pork, so I suggest turkey dogs as a third alternative … low-fat and less sodium and frankly, turkey tastes the same as anything else. Offer all three options, but I still like the moniker “Big Dogs” because it’s a perfect meld of “bigger is better” while giving the consumer an option to eat healthier.

          Perfect blend of the two most important trends in American eating!

  21. 10 Cents10 Cents says:

    I wonder if I should write a post on how not to run a Hot Dog Stand. The Not-Dos or sometimes more important than the To-Dos. Also you might have a good business but you will still fail if the other guy has the better business.

  22. EThompson says:

    Why write a post on how not to? We all, malheureusement, know something about that!

    I liked your original idea and was genuinely interested in https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qkuu0Lwb5EM

  23. JJJJ says:

    Umbrella. Some days are hot and it’s not good to stand in the sun all day.

    Get the freshest buns. Delivered daily.

    Beer. Beer goes great with hot dogs. Gotta be cold so you’ll need a bigger fridge.

    Butter for the buns. No margarine! Remember what happend last time people tried to pawn off margarine for butter? Was a huge mess.

  24. EJHill says:

    I ain’t giving any of you a vendors license until I see a little… uh, how should I put this? Appreciation. Yeah. Appreciation to the sniveling little bureaucrat that makes life safe for the nation.

    Red tape binds the community together, don’t you know…

    So let’s do lunch and we’ll talk about yer crazy little business plans. And it better be sumptin’ better than a chintzy little high fat offal tube.

  25. EJHill says:

    I is insulted. And I’s don’t come here to be insulted. I got a regular gig for THAT!

    • 10 Cents10 Cents says:

      EJ, you come on my thread you are gonna get insulted and like it.

  26. PencilvaniaPencilvania says:

    Oh boy, L&I. Dime, you’re gonna need multiple dog licenses, put that at the top of your list.