Review of the Top 3 Best Selling Hot Dog Carts

In a highly competitive and fast paced society, more people are buying takeout meals instead of taking the time and effort to prepare the meals themselves. Professionals and white collar workers are relying more on mobile food vendors, delis, and fast food establishments for their daily meals. Not surprisingly, these include breakfast, lunch, and dinner as well snacks.

This naturally represents a once in a lifetime opportunity for the budding entrepreneur.

You’ll notice that more and more people today are busy. Busy with their careers, busy with their commitments, and busy at play. They don’t even have the time to stop and prepare a homemade meal. They’re too busy to even treat themselves to their own cooking!

As a result, food vendors are springing up everywhere just to meet this ever growing demand for ready-to-eat meals. So what kind of food is being served? The selection is only limited by the local health department food regulations for mobile vendor especially the hot dog cart business. Some vendors are making gourmet hot dogs using ethnic flavored sausages on buttered buns. Others are cooking crepes with a host of irresistible fillings.

So does this sound like the kind of opportunity you would like to pursue?

Well, if you’re planning to get a hot dog stand or a hot dog cart, then you should be well acquainted with the suppliers of the three best selling carts and the services as well as warranties and guarantees that these companies provide. This will save you a lot of trouble after you’ve bought the unit, whether it’s a brand new hot dog stand or a used push cart.

All American Hotdog Company

Miami Fl

The All American Hotdog Company offers both new and used hot dog carts to its customers.

The company offers six basic models with prices ranging from $2,699.00 to $3,099.00. According to their website, all of their cart models are listed and certified with NSF International ( http://www.nsf.org ).

NSF International is an independent, non-profit organization that provides protection to consumers by certifying products and writing standards for food, water, and air as well as consumer goods.

Aside from carts, this company also sells premium hot dogs under the label “Louie’s”.

The hot dogs come in either skinless or with a collagen casing. The skinless variant is for vendors who prefer to boil their franks, which is suitable for seniors and children.

The other variant has a collagen casing is an edible casing, which is mostly preferred by kosher delis that heat the franks on the grill. They’re also suitable for barbeque or stove top grilling.

Willy Dogs

Willy Dogs has a nice variety of mobile carts, including smaller inexpensive starter carts. The prices for these carts range from $599 for the “Wee Willy” tabletop model to $8999.00 for a trailer type “Willy Dog”.

One after-sales service this company worth mentioning is its comprehensive unit warranty as well as price and quality guarantees. As for the warranty, the hot dog cart that you buy from them is covered for one (1) year for parts and labor against flaws and defects.

For the price guarantee, if you happen to find a better priced cart within a week of receiving your order, the company will refund the difference. Moreover, if your should fail due to workmanship or material defect, the company will also repair or replace it at the customer’s location and all expenses will be shouldered by the company.

Willy Dogs also provides a ten-day return policy if you’re not fully satisfied with the unit, provided that the item is returned in relatively new condition and in its original factory carton. However, return shipping costs will be shouldered by the buyer.

Dream Maker Hot Dog Carts

St. Petersburg FL

Among the suppliers reviewed here, Dream Maker Hot Dog Carts probably provides the best made and reasonably priced. All of the units are made from 18 gauge 304 stainless steel with polished diamond plate body panels on a fully welded custom box steel chassis.

Aside from its heavy duty construction, each cart is treated with a rust and corrosion resistant coating. According to the company website, all the components of each cart exceed NSF standards. Each unit is also equipped with DOT-certified tires, lights, and safety equipment as well as a pressurized water system (not available on some models).

There are nine brand new models to choose from starting with the “Malibu” Hot Dog Cart, which is a smaller and more maneuverable version of the “Ventura” Hot Dog Cart, starts with a base price of $2,899.00. Its best selling model is the “Ventura” Hot Dog Cart, which retails at $3,399.00.

The company also has a California Code compliant model, the “Falcon” Hot Dog Cart, which contains most amenities such as extra work spaces, a NSF certified refrigerator, and a double steam table.

The “Daytona” and “Columbia” models (prices range from $11,999.00 – $15,999.00) are actually mobile kitchens and can accommodate two persons. It’s equipped with steamers, grills or fryers.

With regard to buyer financing, Dream Maker works closely with a third party equipment leasing company, Nations Leasing Services. A prospective cart buyer can apply for financing from $1,000 to even $100,000.00.

The company also offers used hot dog carts at $1,499.00 for a refurbished Ventura model to $4,395.00 for a cart that’s never been used. Unfortunately, their inventory of used carts gets sold rather quickly.

Choosing the right cart supplier will greatly depend on:

The type of hot dog cart that you’ll need

The equipment and accessories it should have installed

Your budget

Your location

The local health laws and regulations

The food and drinks that you’ll be serving to your patrons

Do your homework first before making the leap so that any mistakes you’ll make will be kept to a minimum.

May you prosper in your new venture!