Nothing beats a delicious hot dog---they're one of America's most popular foods and few people can resist the lure of a tasty dog. If you're ready to venture into entrepreneurship and you enjoy meeting new people, a great place to start is with a hot dog stand. Beyond crafting the perfect dog, you'll need a stellar location that's up to code.
Obtain all of the necessary permits. Contact your zoning department prior to signing a lease or purchasing your stand since you will need to gain government clearance for your restaurant location. If you intend to modify the building, contact the local building department to see if the modifications will require a permit. Call the local health department to ensure that your location can pass inspection. You'll also need to purchase liability insurance and obtain a business license from the county clerk.
Scout locations for your hot dog stand. Select a place with a lot of foot or car traffic, such as a spot near a highway or busy tourist route. Study the lunch traffic at potential locations, and interview people on the street to gauge the demand for a hot dog stand in the area. If possible, purchase or lease an existing but out-of-use restaurant location to minimize construction time and cost. If you intend to include a drive-thru, look for locations with an existing service window. If customers will visit your stand by car, ensure that you have adequate parking. Make sure that any existing equipment is fully functional prior to signing a lease or any other contract.
Create a menu. Offer a variety of hot dogs, such as a Chicago style dog or a chili-cheese dog. Experiment with existing ingredients to create a signature dog. Additional menu items could include potato salad, beans, chips, onion rings, fries, nachos, soft serve ice cream and soft pretzels. Be prepared to remove items from the menu that don't sell well in the first few weeks.
Enroll in a food handling course to obtain your food handler's permit. Visit your local health department's website to download free study materials and register for the test.
Attract customers by procuring lively signage for your hot dog stand. You can also make your own signs from wood salvaged from a local junkyard or bought at a home-and-garden store. Begin advertising the date of your grand opening during construction.
Stock your stand. Contact soda and chip suppliers. Purchase bulk condiments, napkins, paper plates and hot dog holders for your restaurant. Buy all of the necessary hot dog equipment, such as warmers, stainless steel prep tables and refrigerators. Meet with local farmers to find high quality, all-beef hot dogs. If you start a roadside stand, purchase picnic tables.
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