You really have no idea until you get in there are start selling. My relatives from over that way get a kick out of hot dogs!
Display/branding would most likely be the easiest way to go to motivate the interest of the new experience. Since Sabrett is the “brand”…Sabrett as the brand people experience (personally) while on vacation in NYC or see on the BBC in regard to food shows easily recognized on display…as well as some pictures and print articles about the carts/stands with the blue/yellow umbrella. You just have the other brand to think about/sell as you see how it goes. More on the side of the “experience” or if people develop an interest in the pretty good hot dog and do not care about the rest. [;)]
You might get a ton of looks…or a ton of business right away. Spread the word and learn as much as possible so you can have conversations and answer the questions that will come. That is the fastest and easiest way to get someone to stop looking and start buying/eating.
The NYC hot dog vendors are there rain…shine….and in a blizzard.
Best of luck! Very exciting! [8D]
Thanks so much for that great advice! Strong branding is one of the things I’m relying on, but I had actually been thinking of it more in terms of my own brand. A Sabretts umbrella however might be a powerful magnet, I’m just a little worried that it will only attract New Yorkers. Ideally I want any American that passes that likes Hot Dogs to at least give me a try. There are absolutely no other US style carts that I have seen. Oscar Meyer was mentioned as one of the biggest selling, but would it have pull?
Interestingly there does not seem to be any actual UK distributor for any of the main US brands over here. I’m thinking of trying to organise an exclusive agency deal so I could also sell them uncooked.
What do you think about storage conditions and time limits? Am I right in saying they are pre-cooked, do they need to be stored at under 5 celsius? Can they be frozen?
I’m afraid I’m new to all this, but if it is practical it could be good business for me to import and distribute one brand only.
Please, please, do not carry a Sabretts umbrella if you do not plan to carry their product. That would tick off New Yorkers who would visit your cart to see a familiar umbrella but no product. Could cause a riot….lol.
p.s. dont forget red onion sauce. DD