Hot Dog Carts Supplies and Equipment

Learn what you'll need to start your own hot dog push carts business

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?

 

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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.

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