Hot Dog Vending Carts - Tips For Purchasing The Right Cart From The Right Manufacturer

For general business success tips for hot dog cart vendors click here.

This page was created to inform a new or existing mobile food vender to some of the commonly forgotten elements when purchasing a new hot dog cart. After reading this, you will be better prepared to shop for the perfect hot dog cart for your new or existing business.

Location & Hot Dog Cart Style

Remember that not every hot dog cart will be suitable for every location. For example, a simple open concept hot dog cart may be good for warm climates, but in cooler climates you may prefer a custom enclosed hot dog cart. Likewise a basic hot dog cart may be suitable for street vending but you may need to purchase a higher quality fully enclosed cart to work on a private property.

Changing Times

Customers today are becoming more health conscious as to what food they buy and from whom. As you have seen most fast food restaurants now offer healthier food alternatives and a clean fresh look. It is important to change with the times. A new fresh redesigned hot dog cart may be what you need to appeal to the health conscious customers. You may even want to try selling different types of food if your city permits.

Construction Quality & Durability

It is by far the most overlooked element in purchasing a new hot dog cart. When purchasing a new car, would you not inspect it fully and then take it for a test drive? Purchasing a hot dog cart should be no different. Make sure that it is designed in such a way that it will be comfortable for daily use. Inspect all doors and locking mechanisms to ensure they are strong and durable. Doors should all have double wall stainless steel construction and remain rigid when attempting to twist them. Have a look under the hot dog cart, this will usually shows you how much attention to detail the manufacturer has. Most manufacturers (including car manufacturers) will try to save costs on areas that the customer can't see or overlooks. A quality cart will have a strong stainless steel base to resist rust from water and salt. It will also be undercoated on all steel components to ensure they remain rust free. Don't be afraid to bang on some of the exterior panels to see how flimsy or rigid they are. Listen for any hollow sounds, these would indicate poor insulation or thin gauge materials. Check that the trailer package is of commercial quality and that any loose items are designed to be strapped down or mounted in some way during transport. Remember that your cart should be safe above all else! Inspect the broiler and steamers. Ensure that knobs, igniters, and burners are all mounted properly and functioning. These should be of the best heavy duty commercial quality as you will be using them all day, everyday. We have seen many hot dog cart vendors make the mistake and mount a $100 grill to their cart only to replace it in 1 year. The saying, "you get what you pay for" applies here. The hot & cold water system is also of importance since you should be washing your hands quite often. Make sure that the hot water is quite hot otherwise it will be very uncomfortable in the winter months. Be cautious as many manufacturers do not heat their water enough as there are no specific regulations as to the temperature required for hand washing. The cold water should also be located nearby to prevent freezing during those cold days. Ask the manufacturer what type of insulation is used for the cold section and meat storage areas. These areas need to remain cool during the summer months and should come with a temperature gauge as per city regulations. If the cart is enclosed or comes with a roof, you should ensure that there is a quality exhaust system. The system should be easily capable of extracting smoke during use, it should also have a tray to trap grease. Many manufacturers will try to save costs by installing a basic exhaust fan, be sure to test it to ensure it meets your needs. A fire suppression system may also be required in certain enclosed units. This system should always be installed by a professional and certified.

Unfortunately it may take a few weeks of operation before you realize a hot dog cart doesn't operate to your liking. You may have noticed that certain components don't function as they should. Prior to purchasing, it would be wise to discuss what you are entitled to as for repairs or anything that doesn't quite work as you would expect. You may even be able to return the cart should it not satisfy your requirements.

Choosing The Right Manufacturer

When you begin your search for a new or replacement hot dog cart remember that the lowest price is not always the ultimate deciding factor. In fact many well designed heavy duty carts will have an excellent resale value should you decide to upgrade your business. High quality carts will last much longer and have superior components thereby saving you repair and/or replacement costs.

When shopping for a hot dog cart try to avoid the following types of businesses:

• Individuals that operate mainly on the Internet. These types of businesses usually operate from home or a small office with little or no inventory. Most are in business short-term and here today, gone tomorrow. Don't get caught by a discount business, buy from a reputable company like Silver Star Metal Fabricating Inc.

• Companies that give you the used car salesman feeling. A trustworthy company is confident in their products and stands by them 100%. You as a customer should feel convinced that this company can build the quality product you require. There are several companies that have an excellent marketing brand but do not have the experience and knowledge to build a high quality product. Don't be fooled by a flashy website and lame marketing gimmicks.

• Small companies located in rundown locations. Take note of the building condition and size. A respectable company cares about their location and building quality. You can rest assured that if the company cares about their business they will be there when you need them.

• Companies whose main business is NOT mobile food catering. Needless to say you want a company who has years of experience behind them. You want to be sure that when you need service that company will be there for you.

• Companies whose manufacturing plant is located hundreds of kilometres away. Many companies today have small offices but the bulk of the manufacturing is done hundreds of kilometres away where the labour is cheaper. These companies may take weeks to repair or modify your hot dog cart. It would be wise to know how much of the cart is built at the location you are visiting.

• Companies that do not stock replacement parts. A reliable company will have all parts in stock and even provide installation services.

• Companies that are located far away from your place of business. When the time comes you want to ensure you don't have to drive hundreds of kilometres to service your cart. Remember that you also need regular propane inspections. You will want to minimize downtime as every hour is lost profit.

• Companies that do NOT have an onsite showroom.

Additional Tips

Be sure to research the company before you buy from them. The Internet can be a great source for reviews and comments about companies. Beware that some companies will post fictitious comments and reviews in an attempt to gain popularity or quell negative reviews and comments. Rule of thumb is that negative reviews/comments should be weighed heavily vs. positive reviews/comments. The following websites will help with your research:

http://www.complaintsboard.com/

http://www.bbb.org/canada/

http://www.bbb.org/

http://www.inbadcompany.com/

http://www.ripoffreport.com/

http://www.complaints.com/

http://www.pissedconsumer.com/

Before you decide to purchase a hot dog cart ask the company the following questions:

• Can I see your manufacturing plant?

• How long have you been manufacturing hot dog carts?

• Do you have any recent customer references?

• Do you have technical drawings and supportive documentation (ie. Safety Manuals, Operating Manuals, etc) for your products?

• Do you offer any customization?

• Do you have a warranty on the hot dog cart?

• Do you stock replace parts for this hot dog cart?

• Do you offer propane inspection?