I love that people equate a home stove with a mobile rig and the cost of workers, transportation, extra ingredients, propane/electro, and the markup for profit
Forum > General Discussion > The "Random crap that isn't worth a thread" thread
Originally posted by rams78110
I love that people equate a home stove with a mobile rig and the cost of workers, transportation, extra ingredients, propane/electro, and the markup for profit
I am the first person to admit my hot dog prices are high. I tried to offset that by offering the best quality product for that price, but I really want people to try the stuff we make. I basically consider them to be a convenience item, and ONLY carry them because so many people ask (same with the liquid cheese for cheese fries).
I love that people equate a home stove with a mobile rig and the cost of workers, transportation, extra ingredients, propane/electro, and the markup for profit
I am the first person to admit my hot dog prices are high. I tried to offset that by offering the best quality product for that price, but I really want people to try the stuff we make. I basically consider them to be a convenience item, and ONLY carry them because so many people ask (same with the liquid cheese for cheese fries).
Well they should be. It's not a flat bulk pack you're buying at wally world, it's a cooked in-bun with condiments food item at basically a mobile restaurant.
What's the price for 1?
What's the price for 1?
Originally posted by rams78110
Well they should be. It's not a flat bulk pack you're buying at wally world, it's a cooked in-bun with condiments food item at basically a mobile restaurant.
What's the price for 1?
$4. I was doing them for $3, but certain events were buying so many that I was not making money at all. When I lifted the price to $4, I also added the option of a combo at $5 that includes a small bag of chips and a soda, to increase the perceived value (and trying to squeeze some more profit out of that item).
I could get the dirt cheap hot dog and roll and sell them for $2.50 and make the same profit, but that is not my business.
Well they should be. It's not a flat bulk pack you're buying at wally world, it's a cooked in-bun with condiments food item at basically a mobile restaurant.
What's the price for 1?
$4. I was doing them for $3, but certain events were buying so many that I was not making money at all. When I lifted the price to $4, I also added the option of a combo at $5 that includes a small bag of chips and a soda, to increase the perceived value (and trying to squeeze some more profit out of that item).
I could get the dirt cheap hot dog and roll and sell them for $2.50 and make the same profit, but that is not my business.
Originally posted by foofighter24
$4. I was doing them for $3, but certain events were buying so many that I was not making money at all. When I lifted the price to $4, I also added the option of a combo at $5 that includes a small bag of chips and a soda, to increase the perceived value (and trying to squeeze some more profit out of that item).
I could get the dirt cheap hot dog and roll and sell them for $2.50 and make the same profit, but that is not my business.
Yeah that's not a lot. That's roughly even +/- a dollar from what I'd expect anywhere.
$4. I was doing them for $3, but certain events were buying so many that I was not making money at all. When I lifted the price to $4, I also added the option of a combo at $5 that includes a small bag of chips and a soda, to increase the perceived value (and trying to squeeze some more profit out of that item).
I could get the dirt cheap hot dog and roll and sell them for $2.50 and make the same profit, but that is not my business.
Yeah that's not a lot. That's roughly even +/- a dollar from what I'd expect anywhere.
4 bucks seems a tiny bit steep for hot dogs, especially if they actually are just out of the pack rather than "gourmet".
Should offer plain dogs for like 3 bucks and chili dogs for 5 bucks or something. At least then you could get creative with the chili.
Should offer plain dogs for like 3 bucks and chili dogs for 5 bucks or something. At least then you could get creative with the chili.
Originally posted by Corndog
4 bucks seems a tiny bit steep for hot dogs, especially if they actually are just out of the pack rather than "gourmet".
Should offer plain dogs for like 3 bucks and chili dogs for 5 bucks or something. At least then you could get creative with the chili.
It is a bit steep. If it was a convenience store, I would expect to pay $3 or less for a 1/4 pound hot dog. My personal preference is a nice natural casing hot dog, but they don't seem to sell well locally and those folks are not really looking for "gourmet".
To be perfectly honest, I struggling to balance creativity and consistency right now. I do get people quite often asking me for things I have sold in the past that they got previously or saw on facebook. Quite a few don't seem to grasp the idea that the menu is always different, and that is part of the novelty.
4 bucks seems a tiny bit steep for hot dogs, especially if they actually are just out of the pack rather than "gourmet".
Should offer plain dogs for like 3 bucks and chili dogs for 5 bucks or something. At least then you could get creative with the chili.
It is a bit steep. If it was a convenience store, I would expect to pay $3 or less for a 1/4 pound hot dog. My personal preference is a nice natural casing hot dog, but they don't seem to sell well locally and those folks are not really looking for "gourmet".
To be perfectly honest, I struggling to balance creativity and consistency right now. I do get people quite often asking me for things I have sold in the past that they got previously or saw on facebook. Quite a few don't seem to grasp the idea that the menu is always different, and that is part of the novelty.
Originally posted by Corndog
4 bucks seems a tiny bit steep for hot dogs, especially if they actually are just out of the pack rather than "gourmet".
Should offer plain dogs for like 3 bucks and chili dogs for 5 bucks or something. At least then you could get creative with the chili.
the hot dog shacks in my town sell hot dogs for $2.50 each. and those are the cheap small ones with regular white buns
and "jumbo dog" which is a 1/4 lb dog is 3.50. so i dont think $4 is too much for an event price. especially since they are all beef
4 bucks seems a tiny bit steep for hot dogs, especially if they actually are just out of the pack rather than "gourmet".
Should offer plain dogs for like 3 bucks and chili dogs for 5 bucks or something. At least then you could get creative with the chili.
the hot dog shacks in my town sell hot dogs for $2.50 each. and those are the cheap small ones with regular white buns
and "jumbo dog" which is a 1/4 lb dog is 3.50. so i dont think $4 is too much for an event price. especially since they are all beef
Originally posted by foofighter24
It is a bit steep. If it was a convenience store, I would expect to pay $3 or less for a 1/4 pound hot dog. My personal preference is a nice natural casing hot dog, but they don't seem to sell well locally and those folks are not really looking for "gourmet".
To be perfectly honest, I struggling to balance creativity and consistency right now. I do get people quite often asking me for things I have sold in the past that they got previously or saw on facebook. Quite a few don't seem to grasp the idea that the menu is always different, and that is part of the novelty.
Remember: Lowest Common Denominator. And in America, it's LOW. Well-educated people with money to spend on foodie habits tend to look for restaurants that cater to them.
Perhaps do a half-stable half-rotating or half-temporary half-longer term menu. You get the consistency of "I always/usually offer X" with the creativity of "Here is something new I'm offering, if it sells well I'll keep it, if not hey you got to try it"
It is a bit steep. If it was a convenience store, I would expect to pay $3 or less for a 1/4 pound hot dog. My personal preference is a nice natural casing hot dog, but they don't seem to sell well locally and those folks are not really looking for "gourmet".
To be perfectly honest, I struggling to balance creativity and consistency right now. I do get people quite often asking me for things I have sold in the past that they got previously or saw on facebook. Quite a few don't seem to grasp the idea that the menu is always different, and that is part of the novelty.
Remember: Lowest Common Denominator. And in America, it's LOW. Well-educated people with money to spend on foodie habits tend to look for restaurants that cater to them.
Perhaps do a half-stable half-rotating or half-temporary half-longer term menu. You get the consistency of "I always/usually offer X" with the creativity of "Here is something new I'm offering, if it sells well I'll keep it, if not hey you got to try it"
Originally posted by rams78110
Perhaps do a half-stable half-rotating or half-temporary half-longer term menu. You get the consistency of "I always/usually offer X" with the creativity of "Here is something new I'm offering, if it sells well I'll keep it, if not hey you got to try it"
That's what he already does from what I've gathered.
Perhaps do a half-stable half-rotating or half-temporary half-longer term menu. You get the consistency of "I always/usually offer X" with the creativity of "Here is something new I'm offering, if it sells well I'll keep it, if not hey you got to try it"
That's what he already does from what I've gathered.
I actually admit I have trouble relating to foo's truck.
Most of my experience is with stationary trucks around Portland that have large, stable menus and are basically a mildly quicker outside alternative to a sit down restaurant. If I'm at an event with people pouring in or out, my preferred route is getting away from it rather than buying hot dogs.
Most of my experience is with stationary trucks around Portland that have large, stable menus and are basically a mildly quicker outside alternative to a sit down restaurant. If I'm at an event with people pouring in or out, my preferred route is getting away from it rather than buying hot dogs.
Originally posted by Corndog
I actually admit I have trouble relating to foo's truck.
Most of my experience is with stationary trucks around Portland that have large, stable menus and are basically a mildly quicker outside alternative to a sit down restaurant. If I'm at an event with people pouring in or out, my preferred route is getting away from it rather than buying hot dogs.
Yeah, I would not bother buying a hot dog at an event, either.
Right now, my business is going through an evolution. I suddenly have three regular days to go out at some prominent locations, with options to go out literally 7 days a week. Of course, staffing is a big deal as I can't be making everything that touches the griddle in that scenario and still run the business side. With that comes the issues of food quality...
I want to have more menu consistency, while not losing the elements that I feel have made the business take off. I have some ideas to do different menus every week, such as doing a brew pub menu one week, then a regionally-inspired taco menu the next week, etc, but again, I have to weigh the benefits of being creative with the benefits of consistency. Is the guy who gets a "Hot Spaniard" Cheeseburger from me this week going to be pissed that next week it is a choice of different tacos?
Time Trial
offline
offline
Originally posted by foofighter24
Can I rant about the dudes who walk up to the food truck and bitch about the price of a hot dog?
Hot Dog Haggler: "I can get a whole pack of hot dogs for that price!"
Me: "I support that thinking. Feel free to do so. These are 1/4 pound Hebrew National Hot dogs on a potato roll and you get access to the toppings bar."
Hot Dog Haggler: "Pfft, I'll just make some when I get home"
Me: "Ok, maybe next time"
The vendor just down the street charges $6.50 for a hot dog. It still gets lined up. Unbelievable.
Can I rant about the dudes who walk up to the food truck and bitch about the price of a hot dog?
Hot Dog Haggler: "I can get a whole pack of hot dogs for that price!"
Me: "I support that thinking. Feel free to do so. These are 1/4 pound Hebrew National Hot dogs on a potato roll and you get access to the toppings bar."
Hot Dog Haggler: "Pfft, I'll just make some when I get home"
Me: "Ok, maybe next time"
The vendor just down the street charges $6.50 for a hot dog. It still gets lined up. Unbelievable.
Time Trial
offline
offline
Originally posted by foofighter24
I want to have more menu consistency, while not losing the elements that I feel have made the business take off. I have some ideas to do different menus every week, such as doing a brew pub menu one week, then a regionally-inspired taco menu the next week, etc, but again, I have to weigh the benefits of being creative with the benefits of consistency. Is the guy who gets a "Hot Spaniard" Cheeseburger from me this week going to be pissed that next week it is a choice of different tacos?
Yes. You need to have like a top 5 that you keep at all times and then 2-3 items that are variable.
I want to have more menu consistency, while not losing the elements that I feel have made the business take off. I have some ideas to do different menus every week, such as doing a brew pub menu one week, then a regionally-inspired taco menu the next week, etc, but again, I have to weigh the benefits of being creative with the benefits of consistency. Is the guy who gets a "Hot Spaniard" Cheeseburger from me this week going to be pissed that next week it is a choice of different tacos?
Yes. You need to have like a top 5 that you keep at all times and then 2-3 items that are variable.
You are not logged in. Please log in if you want to post a reply.
