Howdy, howdy, howdy! Let's dive into one of the biggest questions new vendors have: “What if I run out of hot dogs?”

This fear is common, but let's break it down so you can handle it like a pro.

How Many Hot Dogs Should You Take?

When you're just starting out, figuring out how many hot dogs to take can be tricky.

New vendors often email me or call me, asking, “Ben, how many hot dogs should I take?

How many lemonades should I plan for?”

It's a loaded question because there's a lot that goes into that decision, but I'll get you to the right answer.

(Helpful Read: How To Start A Hot Dog Business)

Planning for Success

Running out of hot dogs can actually be a good thing.
It means you sold out and had a great day.

But there's always that fear: what if you take too much and it goes bad?

This is more of a concern for events than street food vending because, typically, you can keep the product cold and use it the next day.

I always keep my hot dogs frozen in Ziploc bags—maybe 10 per bag, or 30 if it's a good location.

(Helpful Read: What Size Hot Dogs)

I dump them in a bowl of water and seven minutes later, I have fresh, hot hot dogs.

When you're new, start small.

Take only what you can afford and don’t panic if you run out.

Celebrate it as a win!

(Helpful Read: What Hot Dog Buns Should I Use?)

Building Your Experience

When you start a new location, you won't have any records yet.

That's why I keep a yellow pad—I'm a fan of yellow pads.

I note the date, the weather, the location, the number of hot dogs sold, and any special circumstances.

This way, you start building a history.

For instance, you might find out that Thursdays are great in front of Tractor Supply, but Tuesdays aren't.

Adjust accordingly.

Realistic Goals

Be realistic.

Aim for a hundred meals a day.

That’s a number you can achieve between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM, which is the average time vendors work.

If you can't afford stock for a hundred meals, start with 50.

That's still a case and a piece because most cases have 80 hot dogs.

Running Out of Hot Dogs Is Okay

Don’t stress if you run out.

It's better than taking too much and wasting it.

Plus, it gives you a reason to celebrate.

You can always adjust next time based on your notes and experience.

Joining the Community

If you need more guidance, consider joining Vendors United.

If you want to take your vending business to the next level, go and get together with the best vendors on the planet inside the Vendors United community.

You can learn about it HERE (it is 100% free to try it out for 5 days!!)…

🧡🧡 Vendors United – 100% FREE 5 Days Trial – Try It Today! 🧡🧡

You'll avoid all the learning curves.

And if you want to know the top 40 questions I get asked daily, go to learnhotdogs.com/40 for my answers in video format.

Final Thoughts

Running out of hot dogs isn’t the end of the world.

It's a sign that you're doing something right.

Start small, keep good records, and adjust as you go.

You’ll figure it out, and you’ll do great.

By focusing on these core principles, you’ll be well on your way to handling the ins and outs of being a hot dog vendor without breaking a sweat.

Happy vending!