Hot Dog Stand Locations - Where to Put a Hot Dog Cart

If you want to succeed in the fast food industry then location will be one of the major keys to your success.

Locations can roughly be divided into two categories. Firstly, you have permanent locations where a vendor will set up a regular long term operation at a certain spot. Secondly, you have temporary locations where a hot dog vendor may set up his or her cart for a short period of time such as the duration of a fair or other such events.

In this article we take a look at some of the things that you should consider when it comes to analyzing and deciding on hot dog stand locations.

Permanent Locations for a Stand

You can learn everything that you need to know about where to put a hot dog cart by observing a variety of locations and taking an interest in the activity and flows of people in each location.

Your best chance at making exceptionally high profits in the hot dog business will come when you position yourself near a hungry crowd. People are unlikely to travel very far out of their way to get something to eat so you must be close to where they live, spend time or pass by. And you must be there at a time when they are likely to be hungry.

Spots where people are busy and hurrying past can work well. A hot dog is one of the fastest meals around and busy people near train and bus stations who do not have time to go into a restaurant and order food may consider grabbing a hot dog on their way past. Try to position yourself in a location where people that are passing through cannot avoid coming into close contact with your cart.

Foot traffic is generally better than vehicle traffic as it is easier for pedestrians to stop at your stand and wait for you to deliver their order. Some towns are spread out though and don't have areas with decent pedestrian density. It is possible to run a hot dog stand on the road side in certain locations. Being visible and on a straight section of road with slow moving traffic definitely helps as people need time to react and slow down. Strategically placed signage and nearby parking will also help you to find success with this approach.

Different locations will offer different opportunities depending on the time of day. During the day, at lunch time and during dinner time, try to be located close to where people will be. Locating close to where people work, study or spend time during the day is sensible. In the late evenings there is a good trade to be had outside bars and clubs as hungry people emerge and make their way home.

Another thing to consider when deciding on a location is the number of competitors that are operating nearby. While it is not necessarily bad to have other food businesses nearby it is best if you can find a spot with few direct competitors.

Locations can take time to develop and become profitable. It takes time for people to get used to you being there and to find the time to try your products. If you have a location that you are unsure of, don't right it off as a dud until you have tried it for at least a few weeks. Some locations will take a few months to develop to their full potential.

Temporary Hot Dog Cart Locations

Many hot dog stand operators don’t have a fixed location that they work on a regular basis. One alternative to a permanent location is to work events that happen only for a short period of time. If you can secure the right to set up your stand at a busy event then it can be possible to rake in thousands of dollars in a day. Working two of three events every month could earn you more than you would make if you worked every day in a fixed location. Such events can include fairs, festivals, parades, exhibitions, concerts and sporting events to give just a few examples.

A hot dog cart should be fairly mobile. If you can get a vendors permit to sell hot dogs on the street then you may be able to move around freely and try out a variety of locations. Make sure that you keep detailed records of your sales at each location. Eventually you will know where the best spots for your cart are on a day to day and an hourly basis.

Some locations are seasonal and you may find that you can do well at parks and beaches during the summer time or ski resorts during the winter for example.

Some great locations may be temporary in that it is only worth your time to be there for a few hours a day. Locating your cart outside a busy factory or construction site for a few hours at lunch time or when the workers are finishing their shifts could be a profitable option. However, being there all day may not be viable.

Keep in mind that humans are creatures of habit. Once they get used to the idea that you will be in a certain place at a certain time they may become regulars. If they are expecting you to be there and find that you aren't then they may not come looking for you again. So try to stick to a time schedule if possible.

If you are just starting out it is advised that you secure your first location before purchasing a hot dog cart if possible. You can then buy the right equipment to suit the location and you won't be out of pocket if it takes longer than you thought to find a suitable spot.