Hot Dog Cart Quick Start Guide

Hi, folks! If you’ve been reading my posts or watching my videos for long, you probably know my story. But in case you haven’t heard it before, here’s the short version. I was doing well, and I lost it all. I was bankrupt and on food stamps, and had to do something quick to support my family. I started selling hot dogs. I went from broke to making money fast, and I will tell you how.
Whether you’re broke, or just interested in adding some extra money to your income, a hot dog cart or street food business is a great, flexible, profitable opportunity! If you have any questions, just let me know and I’ll do whatever I can to help you or point you in the right direction.
Want more free training videos?
Visit our Website: www.LearnHotDogs.com
Wanna get social with us?
Facebook: / benshotdogcarts
Twitter: / benscarts
Want to stay Connected?
Subscribe to our KZbin channel and never miss out a new video!
/ benscarts
Ben also offers a DIY - Do it yourself course for building your very own hot dog cart, or if you get good and ready, check out the carts Ben builds now.
buildacart.com
www.hotdogcartstore.com
Ben provides these and many other ways for you to learn including HDVR (Hot Dog Vendor Radio) and the LearnHotDogs.com blog.
www.hotdogvendorradio.com
www.learnhotdogs.com
Looking for a hot dog stand or cart? Bens Carts offers quality new and used hot dog carts for sale as well as a ton of information on how to run a successful hot dog stand. We are one of the largest hot dog cart business retailers on the internet - learn from our experts.
Head on to: hotdogcartstore.com
Please feel free to go click happy and "like", comment and share these videos. If you're feeling really wild and crazy, go over to Ben's Facebook page and follow him on Twitter. It's a great way of saying thanks.

[@krausse13]

WOW! Im so encouraged by your videos! Im a wife of 28 years mother of 3 grown children, all my life I have been waiting to do what I love! I love food! and to make people happy with my food! I have made a decision to start with a hot dog cart in my wonderful city of San Diego! You are a role model & thanks so much for the valuable info you give us with each video, GOD keep blessing you & us as entrepreneurs! 🙏🤠👍🌭

[@BensCarts]

Howdy Monica! Your comment made me happy! Thank you for taking the time to write. :)

[@Laughoutloudmommy]

Your story is amazing, God bless you and your family for reaching back and helping others be successful. I've been going through your videos one by one, you've given me so much inspiration to get started. Thank you.

[@BensCarts]

Thank you! :) Much love. ~ Ben

[@aprilfool240]

Just don’t get a cart from him Junk junk junk

[@davidres1lqje]

Thank you very much for your great advice

[@tinathompson591]

Thanks so much!! I JUST keep going OVER and OVER all your videos and lessons as much as I can Learn! Soak everything in til I'm able to START ALWAYS Soo much info👍👍👍 Thx

[@BensCarts]

Thank you so much Tina. I love that you take the time to comment and share. :)

[@tinathompson591]

Hot Dog Cart Store YOUR sooo welcome 👍👍👍

[@dennisdickinson8337]

Thank you ben

[@sandraefthos1945]

Hi Ben ,wow! I just started to watch your videos,I'm one of these that are panicking and unsure about getting linsense for hot dogs cart, I really want to do it,my family love my not dogs,they went me to do the dogs business ...Im really excited to see your motivation...God bless you! Ikeep up with your videos

[@BensCarts]

Check out learnhotdogs.com for free step by step video guide on getting started and the licensing guide. :)

[@RealityNewsProvidence]

Thank u for everything you are very knowledgeable appreciate the time and advice 4 a new subscriber and new vendor

[@BensCarts]

😀 😃 😄

[@margaretf1972]

Im very interested in owning my own hot dog cart business. Thank you for all your videos. They are very helpful. By the way, you are hilarious!

[@BensCarts]

:) Thank you.

[@jamesthompson103]

I’m not a vendor but love to be.. Love your videos

[@RealityNewsProvidence]

Your awesome ben

[@BensCarts]

Now you're just making me blush. 😊

[@salouabenjamaa3315]

Hi I love ur videos and I'm so interested of having a hot dog cart I wana konow how to get my license thanku u amazing God bless u.ps I'm from orlando fl

[@fredbarrett9638]

Ben is awesome! And Fred really is my name so I can use a Fred LOL

[@BensCarts]

LOL. ;)

[@russellhughes4496]

if you have a woman that stayed with you though the very hard times then you are truly rich. god bless..

[@BensCarts]

I agree!

[@rogeliomaldonado4745]

Ben I have a quick question for you. First things first thank you for or you've given to us in the form of knowledge. I've gotten out there and started my own hot dog cart business, anyway how do you go about filing and tracking every item that is sold on the cart? As you know at any given time you can have a ton of sales. What's the best way to log the sales for the IRS in your experience

[@BensCarts]

Oh yea. learnhotdogs.com/easy-recordkeeping-for-small-business/

[@ianscianablo8507]

Hey Big Ben! Any updates on how to figure out a gig these days? Your book is over a decade long and if someone wants me to vend a function I think I'll need more than 4 bucks for a dog per meal. Have you revised those figures from 2011? Sure would help a ton!

[@BensCarts]

Absolutely have. It's here in KZbin and in VendorsUnited.com Ian.

[@jimmieroberts4430]

Do I have to register and insure cart as a trailer veh? Since it will be on the road

[@BensCarts]

In some states.

[@alexandriarobbins2482]

Should i do all this before i get oked by the inspector or do my cart inspection first then all this?

[@BensCarts]

Get your cart schematics pre-approved then do this.

[@sadriski]

Ben, I just finish watching your quick start video, but some of the other videos mention getting a commissary & what about a certified professional food manager certificate? I'm in Phoenix Arizona. I bought a used cart!!! (omg what have I done!) now I'm at the " too scared to move point" & I'm runnin outta time! can I put off the manager course? do HALF TO have it? there's like 10 cities around me I want to try, so how can I give them a location? I want to vend in front of my local food stamp office. theirs no food around for 2 miles! :) thanks again, Susan

[@BensCarts]

Hi Susan! Thank you for writing me. Today I do the live Q&A on F/book and I'm going to answer these for you. You can watch and join live at facebook.com/benscarts or watch KZbin as we'll post the video the following day here. :) . Of course you can always call me or use the www.learnhotdogs.com/askben feature and I'll respond instantly

[@russellhughes4496]

if you try ..you have 50% chance of making it work.. but if you never try then 100% fail. i did a promotion for a small biz and it was a loss but dont let it stop you ..i am moving to a new spot and trying again. try and try again. just get out and DO IT.. lol good luck.russ.

[@ianscianablo8507]

Hey Big Ben! So if I get a "Tax ID" for my business will the IRS send me forms for quarterly reports? I'm not on the street yet vending. What are my responsibilities for IRS/Taxes if I get a tax ID for my business? Getting stuff done but moving slowly. Thanks!

[@BensCarts]

Did you watch my stuff on taxes?

[@ianscianablo8507]

@@BensCarts I did yest day. I'll double check it. Thanks.

[@ianscianablo8507]

Hey Big Ben. What if I change my business name? Do I have to refile all over again? Thanks! Or what if later in the year I change my name? What would I need to do? Who do I inform? Do I have to pay more money? Thanks!

[@BensCarts]

Usually any name change costs money, but it can be from a few bucks to hundreds depending on if you're a sole proprietorship or a corporation.

[@RICOFRAISE]

What do you do for health insurance and dental insurance?

[@BensCarts]

learnhotdogs.com/hot-dog-vendor-health-insurance/

[@philipgoodwin9463]

Hi Ben I would like to know how to start on a little money.I don't have much to put down.phil

[@BensCarts]

Check this out Phillip and see what they did: learnhotdogs.com/broke

[@hollygray3685]

I'm tired of working part time or minimum wage full time and not getting ahead ..but if I started this I'd have to go into debt 6 grand roughly .. is it worth it can anyone help

[@BensCarts]

Hi Holly! Lots of help at learnhotdogs.com Start there. Its FREE.

[@williameaton3552]

Where in east tenn are u from. I'm from Knoxville.

[@BensCarts]

Sevierville

[@warloc1]

I like your videos but PLEASE try to quit smoking. Don't want to see you leave us. You put out great information.

[@sadriski]

Ben, is a LLC the same as a business license? If not what's the difference? I went online & im tryn to do as much online as possible. Got a name, & working on my commissary! :) "Az HAUTE DOG & Catering Co.". :))We dress our dogs right!

[@BensCarts]

Check this out Susan: learnhotdogs.com/?s=llc+or

[@alexandriarobbins2482]

Do i need a commissary before I start vending?

[@BensCarts]

Depends on your State requirements. Just google it or ask the inspector.

[@alexandriarobbins2482]

Hot Dog Cart Store Thank you! Honestly your story has hit home for my family as well. We are a family of 8 who lost our home in the paradise campfire. We were "before the fire"planning on purchasing your trailer after taxes and set up our own family dog business. However November had different plans but we are as of last weekend finally in a home and still trying to figure out our hotdog dreams. Your video's help so much!! Thank you :)

[@SHOCKANDAWTV]

Theres no mention of insurance

[@chillybilly4896]

Hi Ben I live in Ontario Canada and I want to get into the vending business within a month or two I need some help creating my menu and getting a business name

[@BensCarts]

I have some great tips and advice on this at the blog. learnhotdogs.com/how-to-choose-name-street-food-business/ learnhotdogs.com/vendor-menu/

[@jamesthompson103]

Are you still giving away a cart ?

[@johnrutkowski2070]

10 kids.... omg.....stud.....

[@BensCarts]

Adopted 5.

[@johnrutkowski2070]

@@BensCarts still. A lot names. I named my boys same initials. We're all the same JAR. Little guy cal lmk s us JAR Bros. My brother adopted 2 from China. Both about done with high school.

[@chillybilly4896]

Can I name my business off my Daughter?

[@BensCarts]

Absolutely.

[@johnrutkowski2070]

Hi. I think it's illegal to put condiments sideways on a hot dog in OH...😂🤣😉🤭😁😉🌭😎

[@BensCarts]

What? LOL