Street Vendor

[ChunkyMonkey]

Eversince I am home based, I have WAY too much free time. Lately, I have been looking into buying 3 hotdog carts whose owner is retiring. I am sure I could find some bored family members to run them.

Does anyone have any experience with hot dog carts? Locations are in Downtown, one is on the 16th st mall. The numbers look great on paper, but we all know that's not always the truth. Any input is appreciated.

[Irving]

Out of the few policies I've written while selling insurance the last few years, many of them have actually been hotdog carts. In fact, there is a good chance that if you ask someone in Denver for recommendations on where to get insurance, they will give you my number. I don't like advertising online (especially since I'm trying to do something else) but if you need help, I can get you the coverage you need. Just because I'm not going to sell anymore, doesn't mean that my mom's business (she's had it for 20 years now) is going anywhere.

From what my guys have done, it sounds like you can buy a cart and stock it with food for around $5,000 (that's what I usually insure them for). Then you just have to go to the city and find out what they need from you. You have to have an insurance certificate to show the cops when they come around. I actually insure a bunch of people who work Farmer's Markets as well. Let me know if you need anything else.

[cowboykjohnson]

My aunt quit here job as a VP of a bank 2 years ago to open a hotdog cart in Salida... she does very well with it, and makes good money.

O and if it pays decent you can sign me up to run one!

[DD977GM2]

All this hotdog stand talk is making me hungry for a dog with chili or some peppers on it chicago style !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[BigBear]

All this hotdog stand talk is making me hungry for a dog with chili or some peppers on it chicago style !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
mmhmmm Rgr that.

[DD977GM2]

Might have to make a run to 7-11. They are decent, Im not downtown to enjoy the better dogs.

[cowboykjohnson]

Had a Chicago dog in downtown Chicago about a month ago... hated the city, but the best dog I've ever eaten!

[Not_A_Llama]

I tend to frequent a lot of the stands downtown. The only stand that seems to be doing *stellar* is Biker Jim's on 16th St. There is (was) also a guy on Arapahoe (?) and 17th that had really solid business.

I think the key is to differentiate yourself from the dudes that sell water boiled pale crapdogs. If you're grilling, the smell will drive people towards you. Exotic and premium meats helps market a premium product. Also, having a more open cart setup so that people can see the flame and smoke is a strong motivator.

There's a second branch of Biker Jim's that set up shop outside my building on 17th/California. It wasn't doing too well at first, but business seems to be perking up. Gaining a reputation and a stable customer base seems pretty invaluable to me.

[sniper7]

All i know is I spent a lot of money at the burrito stand on 16th street when i was in college. every day I was at school I had one of those breakfast burritos, a bag of chips and a pepsi for the walk over to school!


go for it!

[TS12000]

Y'all ever visit Mustard's Last Stand on Evans? Hooooly Sheeet Mustard's and Pete's on one corner I must be in heaven.

[Glock Shooter]

Best I could do is get you a sit down with a Boulder Hot Dog vendor to pick his brain about the industry.

[ChunkyMonkey]

Best I could do is get you a sit down with a Boulder Hot Dog vendor to pick his brain about the industry.

I would love to!

[ChunkyMonkey]

Out of the few policies I've written while selling insurance the last few years, many of them have actually been hotdog carts. In fact, there is a good chance that if you ask someone in Denver for recommendations on where to get insurance, they will give you my number. I don't like advertising online (especially since I'm trying to do something else) but if you need help, I can get you the coverage you need. Just because I'm not going to sell anymore, doesn't mean that my mom's business (she's had it for 20 years now) is going anywhere.

From what my guys have done, it sounds like you can buy a cart and stock it with food for around $5,000 (that's what I usually insure them for). Then you just have to go to the city and find out what they need from you. You have to have an insurance certificate to show the cops when they come around. I actually insure a bunch of people who work Farmer's Markets as well. Let me know if you need anything else.


I need to renew my OE and liabilities on my other business - pm me your info..

[gnihcraes]

I believe the carts do well, if you have a good location. There are a pair of sisters that run two carts around the denver courthouse. I believe they just started another one more towards the new jail too... good locations. The food at the old courthouse sucks, and the new courthouse/jail area doesn't have any food available, so you'd do good in these areas probably if not already spoken for by the others... just some thoughts to help you out. I buy on occasion, the food is usually good, and reasonable in cost. Soda, Chips, Dog or Chicken sandwich for $5 or less is great.