Tallen got me to rethink

I went down to the County/City building to see on a permit for a 'meal' cart. Per the city regulation a cart 'meal' must consist of a minimum of three items, a meat or vegatable substitute main item, a bread or starch, and a vegatable. So I asked if a New York Style Hot Dog conforms. A Kosher Hebrew National Hot Dog/or Nathan's Beef Hot Dog, a standard 8 in hot dog roll, and the vegatable consisting of sauerkraut, pickle relish, and chopped onion.
The nice lady looked the items up and it conforms to the regulation. Idiotic but true here in Lincoln, NE

Found a top of the line hot dog cart on line for $2500, a tow behind propane powered boilers. Perfect for NYC 'dirty water' hot dog prep.

Then consulted my VA disability rep, proposed the idea of a part time (lunch only) bussiness venture. Again looked at regulations and I can 'work' under certian conditions. Can not stand or sit for long periods, OK I bring along a bag chair or bar stool. Can only 'work' 20 hours per week, OK 1030-1330 per day times 5 days so 15 hours.

So we are looking at a Momma owned (minority owned tax breaks) "New York Dirty Dogs" Hot Dogs with a NY Attitude (my attitude, served to you my way, deal with it, scrape off what you don't like.)
Also looking at a "Green and Red", standard NY Jewish Deli breakfast and snack bagel.
Everything bagel, cream cheese, green olives, slice of red onion. Can be pre-made night before.

Permit cost $500 annual, cost per dog with a 15% profit $1.75(unbelievable the low cost of bulk HN or Nathan's hot dogs shipped from east coast), Bagel $1.50, permit for spot near County City building $25 (no fast food or convienient store options in close walking distance so I will 'corner' walk up market. So VA will provide initial re-hab start up cost of forgiveable loan (show profit for two years cost totally written off, no payments for 24 months)for $2500 cart. Just a good freezer for bulk storage, a few inspections and we are up and running.

Burger joints abound, standard fast food options all over, not a hot dog joint in town. Creating a little bit of home, give myself something to do, and transplant a little of NYC to downtown Lincoln, all good things.

Now just have to brain game for potention problems then may dive in in August. Also can bring cart to State Fair, sporting events (Husker games will bring a fortune), concerts (the ticket wait line crowd), so far no real negatives in the way. Employees would be Momma and step daughter, so again low overhead.

1. Get a very large meal truck. 2. Call it "For Those About to Wok." 3. Park outside college bars Wed-Sat, 8:00PM-3:30AM. 4. Play heavy metal music while cooking food with musical puns (i.e. Pan-tera Cakes). 5. Deep fry anything. 6. Profit.

I say round up to $2.00/dog. I doubt a quarter will really ding down sales much plus then you and customers don't have to deal with change, only bills.

What is the nightlife scene like in lincoln? You could hire a local kid to work for minimum wage + tips to work from midnight to 3am Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning. Bar close traffic is killer for street vendors with the right location.

Hot dog carts are a dime a dozen around here and t.o.

I know you know this but I'll reiterate what has been said in this thread: Hit up the late-night college crowd. 

Cool OS. Should be fun and a learning experience to help enlighten others on the burdens of running your own business while dealing with all of the regulations and hoops you have to jump through.

Ceesman762 wrote: FreeEnterprise wrote: Also, many people don't carry cash (I never do anymore) so being able to accept credit is important. many phones can be adapted to accept credit card transactions. Dirtywater Dog carts in NYC don't have CC machines...and they are on every corner of the Big Apple.

Maybe Grouchy Dogs: Hot dogs with an attitude. That way you have a gimmick and you get to be an ass to your customers as part of the experience.

I would tie the name in some way to your military service... Everyone wants to support a veteran, especially one with as many cool stories that you have.

Ceesman762 wrote: Isnt there a hotdog stand like that in Chicago?