Hey there, it’s Ben, and today we’re talking about something that can be a bit tricky for vendors—handling gloves and money on a hot dog cart.

I get asked about this all the time, and it’s important because you want to make sure you’re not cross-contaminating your food while also taking cash from your customers.

It can be a bit of a juggling act, especially if you're working solo.

So let me walk you through a couple of methods I’ve used over the years that will help keep things clean, fast, and efficient on your cart.

The Importance of Gloves On a Hot Dog Cart

First off, let’s talk about gloves on a hot dog cart.

Gloves are essential because, well, food safety is a big deal!

Handling raw food, condiments, and the dreaded dirty money requires a system to avoid contamination.

But let me tell you, a lot of vendors wear gloves and still end up making mistakes by touching things they shouldn’t, like money, shelves, or their cart without switching gloves or washing their hands.

You’ve got to stay on top of it!

Here's what I've learned over the years to keep things simple and safe.

The One-Glove Method

One of my favorite methods—and I’ve been teaching this for years—is the One-Glove Method.

It's simple but effective.

Here's how it works:

• Gloved Hand for Food: Wear a glove on one hand, which you’ll use exclusively for handling food, utensils, and anything that comes into contact with your customers' meals. This is your “clean” hand.
• Bare Hand for Money: The other hand is bare, and that’s your “money hand.” This hand is used strictly for handling cash, credit card machines, or anything else that's dirty.

Now, you might be thinking, “Ben, I’m not ambidextrous!”

Well, you don't have to be.

It just takes a little practice, but you’ll get the hang of it quickly.

It’s a great way to keep things clean and efficient.

And just because you have a “money hand” doesn’t mean you get to skip washing your hands.

I wash my hands a lot—even if I’m using the one-glove method—because you can’t be too careful.

Safety first!

The Two-Glove Method

Now, let’s say you’re not a fan of the one-glove approach, or maybe you want to use both hands for handling food and money but still want to keep things hygienic.

Enter the Two-Glove Method:

• Wear Gloves on Both Hands: With this method, you’ll have gloves on both hands at all times, but don’t panic—it’s easier than it sounds. The key here is having a hanging bag of gloves at your station. These are food service gloves, and I like to call them “lunch lady gloves.” You know the ones—super easy to slip your hands into, even over your latex or natural gloves.
• Glove-Swap for Handling Money: So when it's time to take money, all you have to do is pull off the outer gloves, handle the cash, and then slip on a fresh pair of gloves in seconds. You’re still maintaining hygiene without having to waste time washing your hands constantly.

This method is especially helpful when you're super busy and need to swap between food and money handling quickly.

Plus, it keeps things moving smoothly during your rush hours.

And believe me, efficiency is key when you’re vending!

Cash Handling and Making Change

Now let’s talk about handling money.

Whether you’re using the one-glove or two-glove method, you’ll want to have a good system in place for cash handling.

I’m a big fan of wearing an apron.

Why?

Because it keeps everything close by.

You can store your change, bills, and other essentials right in your pockets so you're not constantly fumbling for cash.

Here’s what I do:

• Keep Big Bills Separate: Keep the larger bills in a separate pocket or compartment to avoid flashing too much cash at once.
• Change Quickly: Make change quickly by keeping smaller bills and coins in an easy-to-reach spot. I’ve found this to be super helpful, especially during busy times when you don’t want to hold up the line.

And with more people using cards nowadays, you may not have to deal with a lot of change anyway.

(Helpful: How Much Change To Keep For Vending)

But when you do, you’ll want to be ready and efficient.

The Impact of Technology: Cashless Payments

These days, we’re seeing more and more customers pay with cards, which simplifies things even more.

If you haven’t already, it might be a good idea to get yourself a card reader or mobile payment system.

That way, you can avoid handling cash altogether if you want.

(Helpful: Best Credit Card System For Hot Dog Vendors)

Card readers are super easy to set up and can connect right to your smartphone.

They allow you to handle payments quickly and avoid the whole cash situation altogether, which is a plus when it comes to hygiene.

But even if you’re mostly handling cash, these glove methods will keep your operation smooth and clean.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a new vendor or a seasoned pro, handling money and food safely is crucial.

The key is to stay organized, be prepared, and follow some basic hygiene steps to avoid cross-contamination.

The one-glove or two-glove methods I shared will keep you on top of your game and ensure you're serving safe, delicious food without any hiccups.

So, remember:

1. Gloves are your friend—use them wisely.
2. Set up a cash system that works for you—aprons, quick change, and maybe even a card reader for cashless payments.
3. Wash your hands—even if you think they’re clean, wash them again!

And if you want to see these methods in action, head over to my YouTube channel at youtube.com/benscarts where I show you exactly how it’s done.

I hope that helps you out!

If you’ve got any more questions about vending or running a hot dog cart, feel free to reach out.

Thanks for reading, and happy vending!

Love you,
Ben