Well, howdy folks! Ben here, and let’s talk about something every new vendor deals with — overpaying for equipment. Buy Smart, Not Fancy Buying hot dog cart gear without getting ripped off. In our Q&A, a vendor asked, “Where do you buy your condiment pans — brick and mortar or online?” Here’s the deal: always […]
Vendor Mistakes That Cost You Thousands (and How to Avoid Them)
Hey folks, Ben here! If there’s one thing that’ll save you a fortune in this business, it’s learning from other vendors’ mistakes — not your own. Learn from Others’ Mistakes — Before They Cost You In our Q&A, we talked about this over and over: everybody makes mistakes, but smart vendors make them once — […]
Cottage Food Goldmine: How to Start Selling from Home Without a License
Hey y’all, Ben here! Is cottage food a real goldmine? Well… Not everyone can afford a hot dog cart right away — and that’s okay. Starting from Your Kitchen You can still make money right from your kitchen if your state allows it. We talked about this in the Q&A when a vendor said he […]
Do You Really Need a Hot Dog Cart to Start Vending?
Well, howdy! I get this question all the time — “Ben, do I really need a cart to start a hot dog business? To start vending?” The short answer?Nope. You can get started right now without one — legally and smartly — if you know how to work your local codes. Starting Out Without a […]
10 Must Try Hot Dog Toppings (and What the Health Department Will Actually Let You Serve)
Howdy folks, Ben here! You can add hot dog toppings in a hundred ways—but not all of ’em are allowed by your local health department. The Balancing Act: Flavor vs. Rules In our Q&A, Dan asked, “How many toppings do you suggest stocking on a hot dog cart?” and that kicked off one of my […]