Hopelessly Interested

in starting a hot dog vending company but you simply have no way of raising the funds for a cart.  This is not uncommon, people like you find my website, my blog or my YouTube videos and get the ‘all-overs' about starting their own business.

You have read about ways to start with little to no money but for whatever reason(s) you haven't been able to find the opportunity or work out the details.  Yet… you haven't given up.  You subscribe to my newsletters and you watch for a new post on the blog, hoping for a spark, a light, some new piece of information that you can use to overcome the current dilemma.

Is this you?

Well I have news for you.  In many states you can get involved in some kind of street vending without the expenses of a hot dog cart.  Even used, they often can be expensive.

Problem Meet, Solution!

You can become a street food vendor today.  Over the years I've met and become cyberspace friends with many who just wouldn't take no for an answer.  They were determined to find a solution come hell or high water.  When met with a NO, they would immediately look for alternatives. In yesterdays blog article, a vendor makes good example of exactly what I'm talking about now.

He couldn't afford a cart at first and so he set up tables with burners, got the inspector to inspect it and he was given the green light.  (he now has his own restaurant)

All states have their own codes and rules but many of these states have loopholes.  They are areas of the code that they never considered a priority, nor thought their would be a need to regulate them as heavy.

For example:  In North Carolina you and I can go over to the camping supply store, get us a turkey cooker, visit Sams Club and buy the ingredients and we can set up on the side of the road making hot, fresh funnel cakes.

No license from the Health Department required.  (you still will need a business license)

Some states allow boiled peanuts, lemonade, shaved ice, baked potatoes and a plethora of other items – All

WITHOUT A LICENSE!

WHICH STATES ALLOW WHAT?

Great question and one I don't have the answer for.  The best way to handle that is to use the mighty powers of Google.  First I would think about what it is you would be content offering and then begin looking up the rules and codes regarding that.  If you can't find the rules, call your local restaurant inspector or health department.

NOTE:  YOU MAY GET A “NO”.

But you should know by now that “no” often means, they don't want to deal with you.  Always, always ask for the reference for the code that states that or ask for a copy of the exact code that prohibits it.  Often you will find that “NO” really meant, Oh Crap, you want proof, ohhhhhhhh after all you can sell funnel cakes without a h.d. license.

What Else…

could you look into?  Well how about pre-packaged fudge, what about other pre-packaged and individually wrapped foods? Popcorn, fudge, kettle corn, cotton candy, muffins, cookies, cupcakes, peanut brittle, candied peanuts, regular peanuts etc…

Location

I've given out some fantastic location ideas on the radio show and on street food vendor tv.  But don't think you are limited to just the common, side of the road, in front of the gas station locations.  There are hundreds of location ideas.  Heck, type in the word location or try locations on this blog's search box above and you will find other articles where I've taught location ideas.

What if…

you were to find out today that you could set up at the local flea market, without any health department involvement and could be selling elephant ears (popular donut type fried dough)?   Wouldn't you be there tomorrow making money?  Me too.

If it meant that I could make money now and save up money to be able to buy a new cart or concession stand, I'd do it in a heartbeat.

So let's do it.  Let's figure out what you can do to make money in the street food vending business right now.  Take 5 minutes today and sit down with your handy yellow pad and lets get started.  Become a street food vendor today.