Packer's Lemonade And Hot Dogs

I got to visit with Ken Packer of Packer's Lemonade and Crazzy Dogz Catering. Ken is a Street Food Pro on our VendorsUnited team and shares how he got his start and some cool tips for anyone wanting to make a real living in street food vending.
I share several links within the video but have included them here for easy access.
buildacart.com - Build a hot dog cart for less than $1000
hotdogvendorradio.com - link to some incredible past episodes loaded with tips and insider secrets
learnhotdogs.com/join - learn about Vendors United
learnhotdogs.com/lemon - the BEST way to start a successful lemonade business
Learn More Here: learnhotdogs.com
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[@ericvondumb2838]

Cmon brothers and sisters! One like, one comment, well two now... but mine don't count. Ben revived a long lost dream I had and Ken gave me a way to get it. Now that I have ANOTHER chance at life I'm going to run with it! My girlfriends offered to finance it...but, too old to get married again. This one's on me and you've given me the roadmap. THX Ben and Ken.

[@CatchItWhileUCan]

Awesome! I would love ine of those shirts. "Play hard Pray Hard.....Never stop praying"

[@patandersen4271]

Excellent video and guest, he was very informative and giving I feel it was worth watching he shared words of wisdom, PUSH through the FEAR.

[@BensCarts]

Excellent.

[@icecreamladydriver1606]

I love the idea of cutting holes in the table. I can't wait to start chopping up my table. Love the idea of tying down the lemon squeezer. This was an awesome video and the first time I watched it. Can't believe I wasn't interested until today.

[@BensCarts]

Yea, Ken is awesome and smart.

[@Amys_Crafts-N-Things]

Thank you! This has been very helpful. 🍋🍋🍋

[@daniellemaddle498]

I've been watching all of these video's just studying how people are doing this. I've been a vendor doing baked goods & hot chocolate bombs for awhile now but I've been thinking to adding lemonade. you guys are super informative.

[@Jammer411]

LAPEL MICS FOR BOTH OF YOU NEXT TIME GEESH

[@garybrady7478]

great video,, lots of help and good tips''

[@ChazOCAEntertainment]

Great insight.. Thanks Ben

[@jimmarchman]

Well now, he's established the standard in lemonade vending outerwear. We all have to have one of those shirts! 26:45

[@gmail4193]

Hey Ben: This is not about me. I did all that you have talked about in videos. Watched them all at least 3 times maybe more like 10 times. Made notes and all :Diligence I did . This is my second day the profit has been unreal for both days. I have a stand in trailer and it surely has a lot of benefits and some negatives: A cart your right there with the people. A trailer separates you from them. . . Never the less it has been good. Here's a few things I have learned: First, have a sign with prices- any your menu clear and plain. I know better I did not, ugh!! Ben has said this many times sign with prices!!. Second, practice before you go out to your location. If practicing takes days or weeks do it . I do Philly Cheese Steak along with Hot dogs. If the order is long for example 6 dogs and 4 Philly just let the customer know 20 minis at best. My partner studied the area round my hot trailer first and then placed the swooper flags. Frick n awesome the way he did it... We did killer $$$. So take the time study your location carefully. If you have never cooked Philly Cheese Steak practice any new foods over and over again till you can do it in your sleep. My customers did not like packets of muster or any other condiments that came in a packet. One of my customers gave me advise. First #1 food presentation. He has been a chef and said people want everything done for them. Put the condiments on even if it takes 5 or 3 seconds longer. Make the Dog ready for a BEAUTY SHOW!! Be as Creative as you can . Throw out packets of condomints That idea was hard to sell to my partner. Use those squirt bottles from the Dollar Store and make that Dog like no other!! So I want to thank Ben for all that he has taught each on of us.We have followed all of his advice on location . . . . And we ended up with a money maker for sure!! I have a Super location and making big $$$ because of all that Ben has taught each and every one of us. !!

[@BensCarts]

Thank you so much! I love it and I appreciate you taking the time to share.

[@slyfox1983]

I like my condiments on the side personally. Too many people slop on the ketchup and mustard it’s disgusting. I’d personally like the packets myself. Or have the self serve area. Best wishes

[@MommyMundo84]

Great video. Very helpful. Thank you.

[@cobia1424]

thanks for all the detailed questions and answers

[@BensCarts]

:) You're welcome.

[@DarkroomZombie]

I like when you do these kind of videos, thanks for sharing

[@BensCarts]

Yea, I need to do more.

[@tinathompson591]

Inspiration!! I'm soaking in ALL I can too Til I'm able to financially ready to go! Thanks guys!! 👍👍👍

[@BensCarts]

Thanks for being here Tina.

[@Jammer411]

The secret is put the sugar in a Vitamix. Voila it becomes powdered sugar, dissolves instantly! You're welcome

[@cobia1424]

great table set up

[@luzreyes1251]

I love his lemonade setup

[@BensCarts]

He kills it!

[@JasonPeltier]

Excellent video! Tons of info. Thanks!

[@BensCarts]

Thank you Jason.

[@bugsmoran21]

Gotta Love Ben!!! "Don't worry about that ant",, Cheers, Bugs

[@donowens6527]

nice set up

[@simontonpiland29]

great job

[@britavega6497]

Very informative. I wish the 2 of you had mics so I could hear a bit better.

[@ericvondumb2838]

Great interview. Thinking to get my start this way, then the cart this winter.

[@dramireziii]

I started with lemonade in April of last year and it's gone really well. Had to get a second set of equipment to keep up with the number of events I was setting up at. Best of luck.

[@ericvondumb2838]

Will probably start in late July. Lots of rodeos around here. Thinking of calling it Snake Oil instead of Lemonade... keeps the rodeo crowd laughing. Laughing equals money. Joining V.U. next month. Just found out I was cancer free... not planning my funeral anymore. THX for the support, back at you!

[@royalsportsshow9118]

Reason I wouldn't pre mix the sugar with water, is because if you don't use as much sugar, it's not just sitting in water for days. I'd rather scoop, plus you don't know if the customer wants a lot of sugar.

[@loumarkarian9923]

Very informative and cool set up for sure! 1 question - are your berry purées free of seeds? If not, I’m picturing them sinking down to bottom of cup and customers getting a mouthful. Than you!

[@trepathy1]

I dig the chilli & cheese in the aluminum meatloaf pans

[@TheGrumpyAngelPR]

Hello Ben! Your videos are amazing and very helpful. I've been binge watching them all night. I just bought your courses for the lemonade stand and also your book on hot dog vending. I finished reading the lemonade one and will start on the other book soon. I was wondering if you cover how much to pay yourself and how much to pay the help? Family and friends don't always do things for free :/ Thank you very much for all of the great information and inspiration!

[@BensCarts]

Thank you Fran! I cover this in my free training at learnhotdogs.com/start I'll do a new video though soon. It's a great question!

[@TheGrumpyAngelPR]

@@BensCarts Thank you! I appreciate all your help. Have an awesome day!

[@gmail4193]

I forgot to say who I am . . . Whistle Stop, Jr Hot Dogs and Caterin For AllAll Occasions!!

[@gregmckee2740]

How big is that sugar measure? What brand of squeezer does he use? Thanks!

[@ianscianablo8507]

Hi Big Ben! What is IN Packer's lemonade? Would it be less xpensive to make my own simple syrup at home ?

[@ianscianablo8507]

Can you zest your left over lemons and freeze the zest? Can you squeeze lemons, freeze the juice? Just in case you are stuck with them after a crappy day vending?

[@Recallalertnetwork111]

Can I ask what kind of press you are using, thank you

[@ianscianablo8507]

Lots of questions today! Sorry. Gotta know this stuff. How big are those blue coolers of ice? How many of these is he currently using? How man of those big red water dispensers? Where did he get them? Can you fill those red dispensers from a Walmart store? I have Sulphur water in my kitchen faucet. I could never use my house water. Did he need more than one big red dispenser for that gig? How many lemonades he sold that day? Thank you!!!

[@lacucinadipapa3932]

I wonder if people ever question where the water in the orange jug came from. There are people like that!

[@BensCarts]

I'm sure.

[@ImTiredOfBeingFat13]

I’ll give the secret, shake it with no ice, the reason we shake with ice is so people want start saying no ice

[@tonyb3676]

What citrus press is that?

[@royalsportsshow9118]

Well one thing with me, I have a recipe from my late uncle foot, it ain't lemonade, but similar to it made a different way. Ain't nobody getting that idea. I'm a made man once I get all my stuff and get a spot.

[@BensCarts]

Hopefully I can try it someday!

[@jareddollen1113]

So you say Packers shares his recipe can you tell me where?

[@AndrewHedlund100]

Hot dog Ben I bought your e-book and I’m trying to access it again does it expire? I can’t see it in my email

[@jasonbattiste6300]

Ben, can I sell Orange Jullius at my lemonade stand, with the brand ,banners,flgs etc?

[@lanfordmims5080]

Hey Ben, I love Ken Packer's T- Shirt is there a way to buy one?

[@BensCarts]

I don't know. Message him. It's on Facebook as Packer's Lemonade

[@packersconcessions]

Lanford I bought the shirt from Walmart over a year ago.

[@ianscianablo8507]

Hey Big Ben! Hi. I'm starting out by myself. Would it be easier for me to start a hot dog cart or a lemonade stand? I'm in upstate, NY. Thanks!

[@BensCarts]

Did you see the video from yesterday? I explain it all Ian.

[@lorettaclark243]

Okay, so how does the sugar melt enough to blend well? Could his water be warm? Could his fruit be warm? He shakes it up before pouring it on the ice. Maybe just tepid water so it will melt some sugar but not melt the ice. ???

[@BensCarts]

Warm water from being in sun.

[@lanfordmims5080]

Ben on a humid day does that sugar start getting clumpy exposed to the air in that tray?

[@BensCarts]

Usually you're only out for a couple or 3 hours. So no. But by using less in tray and adding as needed would prevent that issue if vending for hours at a time.

[@ianscianablo8507]

You can squeeze the lemon juice & freeze it ahead of time? How much? How long can it stay in freezer. Do you defrost it in fridge or outside the fridge? Thank you!

[@BensCarts]

I've defrosted in my cooler. I've only done this when I had leftover lemons from a gig that got rained out or something. It's not standard practice.

[@slyfox1983]

Ian Scianablo I’ve had lemon juice in my freezer for up to a year. I don’t serve it to customers but I use it at home for lemonade but it’s still good .

[@azedizzal]

I'm just like u

[@Reemotv]

I wonder what size is the grill?

[@BensCarts]

Chargrill is 240 sq. inches

[@jacobcastillo8180]

I cant get the sugar to fully disolve. It all settles to the bottom. Should I just use simple syrup?

[@packersconcessions]

Jacob a lot of people use simple syrup and love it. I prefer dry sugar. That is per choice...neither is wrong.

[@wagil90]

re watch the video starting at the 13 minute mark. there is 1 thing he does that most dont.

[@lanfordmims5080]

wagil90 Ohh, I see, I believe the secret is to add the sugar before you squeeze the fruit! Good idea.

[@slyfox1983]

Lanford Mims The secrets is too ass the sugar and liquid shake and then add to the ice.

[@larplarpson6783]

@@wagil90 what is it!!!!

[@Hmetalz]

How do you deal with insects? Flies and ants ? Gnats?

[@JoshM2121]

Does the hot dog guy have a website or facebook page?

[@BensCarts]

Packer's Lemonade on Facebook

[@packersconcessions]

Also Krazzy Dogz Catering on Facebook

[@frankpappalardo630]

Can’t hear the video from the background noise😊

[@ianscianablo8507]

Hi Ben. I can't hear it. What is his value meal? 1 dog 2 sides soda too? Can't hear it. Sorry.

[@BensCarts]

Hot dog, chips and drink.

[@RichFrisk]

How much sugar did he put in, half of a cup?

[@packersconcessions]

I would start with around 2 oz. Then based on what you like add or subtract the amount.

[@davidlopez-rl4sh]

peaple say i make the best lemonades but i am still new and think its to much ice. i use a big stainless steel bar scooper and fill it to the top with ice. then add my water to top it off no simple syrup. it tastes good but i drank a few and its alot of ice. i am afraid if its to much water and less ice it would be watered down but i am not 100% sure

[@BensCarts]

Use the recipe I give out. Or do like Ken does. It's not too much ice.

[@marklanham391]

Wish it was easier to hear. But the motor is running

[@BensCarts]

Yea, need better mics that are directional instead of omni-directionals.

[@ianscianablo8507]

I wish I could see how he served up a value meal? One scoop two scoop?

[@BensCarts]

Scoop of what?

[@ianscianablo8507]

@@BensCarts Well he had mac and cheese and beans. I was impressed but I was hoping I would see how he cobbled a meal together. I guess I needed to see him at work. Ha Ha!

[@packersconcessions]

@@ianscianablo8507 Ian it was a 2 oz scoop.

[@ianscianablo8507]

@@packersconcessions Thank you! Now if I had a clue how to whip up that lemonaide! Thank you!

[@ScottyMac71]

Does Ken have a youtube channel?

[@BensCarts]

He has f/book.

[@stevealaska73]

That audio was brutal. Barely made it. Good tips from what I could make out.

[@BensCarts]

Sorry Steve.

[@stevealaska73]

@@BensCarts No worries Brother.

[@erikcable1755]

blank

[@BensCarts]

Nope... may be your video processor.

[@Recallalertnetwork111]

Can I ask what kind of press you are using, thank you

[@BensCarts]

learnhotdogs.com/lemonade-vending-to-hot-dog-vending/ and all the supplies