Do You Have The Necessary Senses To Become A Successful Hot Dog Vendor?
1. The All Important Sight Sense Test. Most people walking along the street will give you and your food cart, whether it is a small stand or large enclosed concession trailer, the once over eye test before they even consider walking toward your location. If they do not like the way you look or if they don’t like the appearance of your concession stand, chances are they are not going to approach you. They will keep walking.
2. The Nose Sense Test. Appealing to the sense of smell is very important in drawing in the crowds. The aroma of grilled onions with garlic or ginger produces an enticing aroma to the body’s olfactory system. Combine that with the smell of fresh hot pretzels, steaming coffee and grilled hot dogs and you’ve got a whole smorgasbord of pleasant smells acting like magnets to draw your customers in.
3. The Sense of Taste Test. Never cut corners on your food products. Always serve up the best quality. If you have to, raise the price before you cut the quality. If you are selling hot dogs, use all beef hot dogs and sausages, such as Sabretts, Hebrew National, Vienna Beef or Nathans depending on where you operate your concession. Your product cost will be a little higher, but your chances of success will also be greater. You want your customer to enjoy the food you sell and to enjoy the experience of stopping and eating at your stand. In order to survive in this business you must build a following, a repeat business as well as a referral business. Remember this rule. It is of paramount importance. Never skimp on quality. Buy the best quality products even if you have to raise your prices.
4. The Oral Sense Test. When a customer is approaching your stand, know what to say to be helpful. Be pleasant and sell at the same time. Be sincere and offer suggestions. For example you might point at your menu board which shows your offerings and the various condiments. Ask them how they like their hot dog dressed. Make sure you know how to upsell. Take a cue from MacDonalds and ask if they want a soda and chips with their order. If you can be funny, humor is good. If you are not a funny person, don’t fake it. Be everything else instead.
5. The Sense of Hearing Test. Listen closely to what the customer is saying. He or she may be offering you buying clues and opportunities for upsells. For example if the lady says she has a train to catch, ask her if she wants a soft pretzel to eat on the way home. Make it more appealing by telling her you have insulated bags that keep the pretzels warm and fresh for hours.
6. Feeling Test. Always smile and be friendly. After a while you will start to see familiar faces. You will eventually remember their names and what they like. In time youll become a Cheers (where everybody knows your name) on wheels. And hopefully very wealthy too.
7. The Common Sense Test. One of the biggest traps most people fall into is greed. Some people start to cut corners; they look for cheaper inferior products in an attempt to increase their profits. They become overwhelmed with their success. They see all the money they are making and figure they could make more if they cut some costs. This type of thinking eventually leads to their demise. What they should be doing is looking for ways to improve the products and services, to increase their customer base and perhaps expand their business. That is the proper way to make more money.
8. Sense of No Touch. Always use your tongs and foil wrap papers when handling food products. Never touch the food. If the Health Department sees the violation, you will probably get a citation.