Hot dog push carts are a great business opportunity that allow you to be your own boss and make some money by operating your hot dog stand either full time or on the side. You can find hot dog carts at a variety of prices based on the type of cart you want. You may just need a small cart to place in front of a large office building during lunch hour, or a deluxe cart that will hold enough supplies for you to remain at an established location to sell your tasty meals all day long.

The pricing and costs of hot dog carts depends entirely on what you are looking for. When you are considering obtaining a cart, there are a few things you should decide first:

1. Will you prefer a mini hot dog cart or an extra large model?

2. How many hot dog cart accessories will you need to purchase?

3. Do you have a good location in mind for your cart?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Purchase hot dog carts for sale

Hot dog cart vendors sell their wares at a wide range of prices depending on the size and capabilities of each model. Smaller carts with no frills can be found for less than $2,000, while extra large carts with all the bells and whistles may run more than $10,000 each. You will also pay more for carts that feature specific designs that are intended to catch the attention of potential customers. You may start with a small cart and then upgrade as you become successful.

I recommend: Look through the types of carts that are available from All Star Carts and Vehicles. See carts that range from $3,000 to $19,500 at Thehotdogcart.

Rent commercial hot dog carts

People who only want to sell hot dogs for special occasions, such as sporting events or street fairs, may be better off renting equipment from hot dog cart distributors. This will allow you to have a cart whenever you need it without making a major investment. Most rental companies offer daily rates that are between $300 and $600, or weekly rates that begin at $1,000.

I recommend: The Octopus Works has carts for $300 per day or $1,000 per week. Hot-dog-cart-rental has a price range of $495 to $605 per day.

Consider buying used commercial hot dog stands

A pre-owned cart that was taken care of will be just as good as a new one, and less expensive. The prices vary depending on the seller, but they can usually be found starting at about $500 to $2,000, or $3,000 to $12,000 for deluxe models. Keep in mind that a good price on a used cart is likely to be snapped up immediately, so you will have to act fast.

I recommend: Read details about used carts at All American Hotdog or American Dream Hot Dog Carts.

Invest in a hot dog cart franchise

When you get involved in a franchise, you will receive the benefit of ongoing support from an existing and successful corporation. They will have an established business plan, a well-known name and will help you find a viable location. An initial investment will run from about $29,000 to $80,000 depending on the size of cart you desire.

I recommend: Check into a hot dog cart business like Woody's Chicago Style or Let's Do Lunch.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  While examining the pricing and costs of hot dog carts, budget for the hot dog cart supplies you will need such as trays, chip clips, condiments and a cash box.
• •  Make sure there aren't already established hot dog push carts operating in the location you are considering.

Hot dog push carts are common sites on the streets of many cities in the United States. Even though the hot dog cart business may seem like a simple business that anyone can do, it is actually highly regulated by the Department of Health to ensure that the food, the operators, and the hot dog vending carts meet standards.

When starting a hot dog cart business you have to decide where you want to do business in order to determine which type of cart you need. Your choices for your business include renting a cart, purchasing a cart, or buying into a hot dog cart franchise. To decide which option is best for you, consider the following:

1. The amount of capital that you have to invest in your business.

2. Whether you are staying in one location or want a mobile hot dog cart.

3. If you prefer to be an independent or part of a hot dog cart franchise.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find out what exists in hot dog vending carts

There are many options available among hot dog carts. If you intend to set up your business inside, look at commercial hot dog stands, in addition to hot dog carts. If you are going to sell in an area with low traffic volume, you may also wish to consider a mini hot dog cart, which is typically lower in price.

I recommend: Vending Cart Directory is a good place to find out what types of carts exist. TheHotDogCart.com is a good place to see choices if you are interested in a stainless steel hot dog cart.

Rent a hot dog cart

Renting a hot dog cart is a good way to try out the business without making too much of an initial commitment or investment. If you discover the market is not what you expected or the business if not for you, it is easier to return a rental than to sell your cart.

I recommend: Hot Dog Cart Rental has locations in many of the United States as well as parts of Canada. Push Cart International rents many types of food vending carts world wide.

Look at hot dog carts for sale

Purchasing your own hot dog cart saves you money on overhead spent on renting or leasing a cart. If you are going to purchase a cart, you may wish to purchase a mobile hot dog cart so if your first location does not turn out to be profitable, you can move to another area.

I recommend: World's Best Hot Dog Carts has a nice variety of mobile carts, including smaller inexpensive starter carts. All American Hotdog Co. sells both new and used hot dog carts. They also offer a lowest price guarantee.

Buy into a hot dog cart franchise

A hot dog cart franchise is like a hot dog cart business-in-a-box. When you buy into a franchise, in addition to getting the cart, you are purchasing business support to help you start and grow your business. You also get the right to use the established franchise name.

I recommend: WillyDogs.com sells hot dog cart franchises that also come with business support and hot dog cart accessories. Dream Franchises offers franchise opportunities in many food related businesses, including hot dog carts.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Check with your local government to find about licensing requirements and fees for your hot dog cart business.
• •  To sell food, you also need a permit from the Department of Health.

In 2001, Americans spent $20 billion on hot dogs (most of which was spent outside brick-and-mortar stores), making it tempting to take a serious look at hot dog carts supplies and equipment. The peak time for hot dogs—between Memorial Day and Labor Day, when people consume 7 billion hot dogs each year—is also an ideal time to operate vending carts. Fortunately, of all food businesses, a hot dog cart is one of the least expensive to set up and operate.

Aside from the obvious need for hot dogs, buns, condiments and other food items, there are a number of things you'll need to carefully consider before launching your mobile hot dog cart. For example:

1. Will you buy or lease your stainless steel hot dog cart?

2. What hot dog cart accessories do you want or need?

3. Which functional accessories for commercial hot dog stands do you require?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Consider whether to buy or lease commercial hot dog carts

The biggest up-front cost of beginning a hot dog cart business is buying a cart. A new, simple mini hot dog cart costs about $2,000; used ones are about half that. Fancier, bigger carts can cost up to $11,000. Many distributors and manufacturers offer financing on hot dog carts, but it's also worth looking into leasing a cart. When you lease, your monthly payments are lower, giving your business greater cash flow.

I recommend: For hot dog carts for sale, check out All American Hotdog, which sells large and small carts. At Scribd, read one man's hot dog cart success story, and how he suggests leasing a cart to keep start-up expenses low.

Include decorative hot dog cart supplies

Although decorative accessories like umbrellas with logos might seem unnecessary at first, experts suggest otherwise. Name brand logos quickly allow passersby know you sell quality products they love, thereby increasing the chances they'll stop and buy something. Bright colors bring attention to your wares when potential customers are focused on other things. And toe-tapping music makes waiting in line for your dogs seem more fun.

I recommend: Magnolia Carts sells custom and generic umbrellas, light kits and other hot dog cart accessories. Carts and Grills offers umbrellas, lights, dollies and more. Read "The Hot Dog Professor" at BusinessWeek for tips on decorative accessories that can increase your sales.

Find functional hot dog cart accessories

Ideally, the hot dog vending carts you buy or lease will comes well equipped with all the functional accessories you need. However, it's likely you'll need to buy at least some essentials such as napkin holders and condiment bottles or grills and dog sleds.

I recommend: World's Best Hot Dog Carts sells essential accessories such as money boxes, condiment trays, dog sleds and more. Willydogs Hot Dog Carts offers squeeze bottles, sinks, griddles and similar accessories.

To some, the hot dog cart may seem like a simple contraption, but there are still a lot of aspects to look at when purchasing one of these old-time food venues and getting it operational. New hot dog stand operators will want to familiarize themselves with some basic key terms for day-to-day operation and equipment for hot dog carts. Take a look at some of the basics for hot dog carts and stands to see what applies to your new enterprise.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Business license

As it is technically a business, a hot dog cart will need to operate under a business license as well as other paperwork. Getting these details down is crucial to the success of the roving hot dog seller.

I recommend: Read more on what you will need to start a hot dog cart business at this page from Hot-Dog-Carts.com.

Health permit

A hot dog cart will also need a health permit. The health department of a state will issue a permit based on specific criteria.

I recommend: See a guide to Health Permit Basics from Sabrett, a big hot dog seller, at their site.

Continuous welding

Continuous welding is a welding method where the weld goes all along a seam to provide strength. This is used on some hot dog carts to make sure they stand up to the pressures of the road.

I recommend: Get the definition of a continuous weld at Steel Pipes and Tubes. For a look at an example of continuous welding in producing hot dog carts, check out the World's Best Hot Dog Carts site.

Hot dog broiler

A hot dog cart will often include a hot dog broiler for keeping the dogs toasty. The hot dog broiler is your classic 'heat box' for hot dogs where the dogs rotate on sticks. As they rotate, they get close to the broiling area where they get heated through.

I recommend: See hot dog broiler models at Concession Stands.

Hot dog steamer

A hot dog steamer works on a different principle. It uses hot steam to cook the dogs. This will also be a common fixture on your hot dog cart.

I recommend: See more on hot dog steamer models at Instawares: "The Restaurant Supply Superstore."

Bun warmer

Some customers joke around about it, but the bun warmer is an integral part of the hot dog stand setup for sellers who want to create the best experience for hot dog buyers. The bun warmer keeps the buns crisp and presentable. It is often attached to a larger commercial hot dog machine.

I recommend: For an example of a hot dog machine with bun warmers and toasters to heat the hot dog buns for your customers at Appliance Wholesale.