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jcheese 10 years, 1 month ago.
Dog……….25
bun………..30……….Bun cost more than the dog, that tells ya something…
Chili………..08
Cole slaw…06
mustard…….02
mustard…….01
wax paper or foil wrap…02
Total cost………….74 cents selling price $1.50 = 49% food cost lets say you have fixed costs for gas, propane, insurance, fees, licenses, rent, whatever of $30 a day
Target of making a net profit of $100 a day
You need to sell 183 dogs @ $1.50 to gross $275…..
less 49% = $134.75 -net before expenses
$134.75 less expenses ($30) = 104.75- minus your taxes of 15% ( everyone pays taxes )
Equals…………..$89.04 total profit………….That’s a lot of dogs to sell on a corner when weather is always a factor. In order to sell an item like this you need people lining up at your cart that can’t wait for this wonderful. This idea may be a tradition and a food item that people grew up with, but in no way is it a quality product……………PNWC
The only way is to offer several sizes to start and see what sells. The Customer will tell you pretty quick. I’d try a 5 or 6 to the pound for starters and the skinny one as well. I wouldn’t go to a 1/4 pounder one right away. See if anyone asks for it. Everyones market is different. Good toppings are the key in my book.
The cheapo gas station dogs here are skimpy, like an after thought cuz they’re so common. Mine would be more wholesome and awesome.
Well, at that price point I’d probably be buying them.
Most of the paces out here(oregon) want $3.00 and up for a dog and I usually pass. A unique hot dog experience. hmmm.
PS: I think they lie ballpark etc. here too.
how much do they cost?
To make or buy? The crappy il dog is , like 25 cents. Favorite bun around here is about .30.Self-made chili and slaw aint much.
Got one the other day for $1.50 and it was wimpy. Simply satisfied the masses…didn’t WOW them.
how much do they cost?
Meat & potato country…. Hard to teach an old dog a new trick.
Ya get most food groups on that dog. I must say I feel satisfied after eating one of them in my “test kitchen”.
Meat & potato country…. Hard to teach an old dog a new trick.
If ya don’t know, it’s a steamed bun(Sunbeam) with mustard, onions, chili and slaw, usualy wrapped in wax paper to keep the bun soft. It was invented years ago in Charleston, WVA back when meat was a “luxury”. All the toppings madeup for the skinny weenie. It is still served to this day, most of the time, with a skinny weenie, usually a Jesse Jones dog (red dog that goes 10 dogs to 12 oz’s).
I’m in SWVA, in the shadow of Martinsville Speedway, famous for this dog. Most corner markets sell a version of this.
Around here if you say you want it “All the Way”, it’s what you get.
So the key is having the best chili and slaw.Been working on both recipes, getting good and I think I’m getting close.
Just wanna tweak the original enough to make mine stand out.
So what’s my point, or question?
I would serve the traditional dog at a slight premium because of quaility, but should I bother to upgrade and “educate” these country folk to “new” dogs?
Thinking I could offer a fat one(1/4 lb.) but not sure if tastes around here would appreciate a “premium”brand. Or pay for it. Ball Park woud probably work.
Was thinking of a BBQ dog with a chunky BBQ sauce instead of chili (with slaw of course).
Maybe a limited special of new things?
Anybody in this market got something to share?
Thanx…
Thanx for the math….
Cheapo dog woud be for the “set in their ways” folk.
Cheaper bun, skinny dog but tasty chili and slaw…..
Bump up to 6-1 dog, better bun, piled high with the “works”
Also Bratworst Dog.
If I can cook my own Chili, why not my own BBQ pork?
Chips and Soda and whatever else they allow.(Good mark up)
Fifty “Meal’s” a day may work.
West Virginia Dog?
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