I'm very excited and eager to start my own hot dog business. I have found someone local who has a cart that is just sitting in their garage and wouldn't mind renting it out to me. What should I offer them each week/month to rent their cart? What would be fair? Also, what is required as far as a business license/health department certification? Thanks so much for any help!
Herbert152: Also, what is required as far as a business license/health department certification? That is a county level decision, check their website.Herbert152: What should I offer them each week/month to rent their cart? What would be fair? A percentage of the profits with a minimum guarantee. Depends a lot on size, equipment and condition. Check on-line for similar carts for sale. Google images can help find them. First thing I would do is check the regulations, then find a location. The location is key and may cost you more than the cart rental.
Herbert152: I'm very excited and eager to start my own hot dog business. Hi, congratulations for your new business. You will be having a difficulties in starting own business, lots of question in mind. Herbert152: Also, what is required as far as a business license/health department certification? In that case, you can inquire at the government of where you are living.. Good luck..
Check with your local city hall or somewhere for a license or permit and they should be able to direct you to the right people. A good place for something like that is at flea markets, fairs, auctions etc. Good luck!
Hi Herbert, A hot dog cart business involves handling and preparing foods, so you will more than likely need a food handler's permit from the Health Department. They may require you to attend a class. You will also need a business license. Check with your local Chamber of Commerce about where to go to get these permits and how to proceed. They may be able to provide even more information for you to consider before making any agreement with the gentleman who owns the cart. Once you get started and begin making money, consider buying your own cart. That will serve you better over the long term, and once you do that, consider creating a small business by buying even more carts and hiring people to work for you. You'll make more money without doing much more than investing your own money to make more money. Allen
Funny this thread popped to the top, I just "liked" a hot dog cart FB page. I don't even eat meat! but the owner is a kid (34 yr old) I've known since he was born. He was a top time share salesman until a few weeks ago, now a hot dog cart vendor. From a quarter of a million per year to a quarter at a time, how ironic. His brother even quit work to help him with the business. Who woulda thunk!? Happy D's has more fans than me.
Rappy D's, not Happy D's. His name is Raphael D. and he's not a rapper. First he bought the cart, several months ago. Then he took a food handlers class and got a food handlers permit. Next he got a Vendor's license from the county good for all cities. They rented shared space in a commercial kitchen for prep work. They set up at a local farmer's market and a park with live music. The health department inspector showed up on the very first day. The cart and food prep/storage/handling Passed 100% (rare). Profit? hmmm, that's another story. He has time, money, and persistence.
It's a little off topic of online marketing but fantastic! Best of luck to you! My sister converted and short school bus into a roadside grill. Very popular amount the locals and drive through. It was pretty cool! right off the appalachian trail so you would get people hiking through as well. Met some fun individuals!
Make sure to register for a master business license/excise tax with the Department of Revenue for whatever state you are in. Typically L&I will handle permits/inspections needed. Then at a local level, check with both your city and county. You may have to file with both. I would also make sure you get liability insurance to protect you if someone gets sick. If you are mobile (which I assume you will be), the rules and taxation are different for wherever you locate. There are also additional laws/rules for street vending so make sure to look that up.
