Action Plan
The following is a step by step action plan which will allow you to make steady progress toward opening day without leaving anything to chance. Once you start, try to keep your forward momentum going. It’s just like exercise – if you skip one day, you probably won’t get back to it for weeks.
This action plan covers all of the topics discussed in this book. It does not list the many important business related tasks that must be accomplished prior to opening day. These tasks include such things as free trademark searches, choosing a business legal structure, DBAs, and EINs, bookkeeping and finance, cash flow projections, etc.
These concepts are covered in the companion book, “Carts of Cash – Business Management Made Easy” which is included in your membership. The ideas are explained thoroughly in an easy to understand, non-technical style that anyone will be able to understand and put to use. So you have zero business experience? This book was written for you!
ACTION PLAN
Startup tasks
• Start scouting for locations / special events
• Start searching for bounce castles/clowns/magicians to use at parties
• Obtain a copy of the health code for your location and READ IT.
• Meet with health inspector and ask about rules, required equipment
• Decide on a cart, present cart plans to health dept for pre-approval
• Obtain local and state licenses, permits, sales tax certificates, FEIN number
• Get a commissary agreement
• Select a site and negotiate tentative lease agreement
• Buy or build cart (Only after completing above steps!)
• Obtain liability insurance policy
• Purchase other equipment and supplies
• Purchase an estimated 2-3 days of food inventory
• Do a practice run in your yard for friends and neighbors
Marketing Tasks
• Determine what image you want to project (Market Positioning)
• Determine what products you will offer and set your prices
• Determine your company name
• Design your logo
• Design your menu
• Design your punch card
• Design your flyers
• Have your materials printed
• Register an internet domain name (optional)
• Build a web site
• Start your grassroots marketing efforts
• Contact local media outlets (newspaper/radio/TV)
• Make a list of companies that need your menu in their break room
• Make a list of candidates for business card swapping (reciprocal) relationships
Once you’ve completed all of these tasks…
YOU’RE IN BUSINESS ! CONGRATULATIONS !
I have read the words punch card twice and I am not sure what you are talking about. Only thing I can think of is a card you punch and once they have bought five dogs they get one free or something like that. Help me out here.
You got it Brian.
We use a business card with marks around the edge. We punch one mark every time they buy a hot dog. Most people go with 10 punches, so after the customer buys 10 dogs they get one free. The fancy marketing term for this is “customer loyalty program”. What ever you call it, it works.
Here is a tip: When you give out punch cards, punch the first hole for free. The customer will feel like they are already on their way to the free hot dog, like they already got something. It’s a powerful psychological trigger and increases your return customer percentage significantly.
Hello Steve. Gotta say I am loving your website and all the info I have been reading so far. So here’s my question regarding your action plan. For the second column regarding advertising, do I do these steps before going out and selling? Like logo, advertising and menu. Second question regarding the menu. In your previous chapters you talk about starting off simple. With chips, soda and a hotdog. So that means I shouldn’t have a menu yet? I am hoping one day to expand my menu.. any advise?
Glad you like the training Rose!
The action plan is a suggested order of doing things. It’s not set in stone. The most important thing is getting started so don’t let one step derail your progress. You can always come back and complete a step that you skipped.
I say to start out simple so that you won’t be trying to do too many things at once when you first open, but as soon as you are feeling comfortable it’s time to experiment with “signature” hot dogs and photo menus. But yes, you do need a menu right from the start so customers can see your prices.
Thanks for joining!
Chris jumping in here. I just placed an order for my first cart. I have spent 30 years in the garment business in LA and the brightest man I knew used to say “ learn to walk first, you can run later. “I am very excited about my new adventure.
Awesome Chris! This course should put you on the right track. Keep me posted!
-Steve
Hi Steve,
I just joined your program and it is awesome! I have a couple of questions. About the health inspector, I live in a suburb outside a major city and adjacent to other suburbs that I may eventually set up my cart. Is there a health inspector for each city I will have to consult or is the inspector a statewide authority? My second question – I anticipate starting this on a part time basis doing festivals on the weekends. How would you find out about all the festivals in an area, times, fees, etc? Ideally, I would like to have a year round schedule of festivals to vend. Thanks!
Hi Micheal,
Glad you like the program!
Regarding the health inspector, it varies by location. In some places, each city has a health department but in most places it is a county function. You will have to ask around down at city hall to find out what applies in your situation.
There are a few websites that specialize in fair and festival listings. Some want you to pay for the information, others are free. Do a Google search and you will find a bunch of them.
Good luck and thanks for joining us!
Steve, I am super stoked! After 81/2 years of employment with Double Tree, a franchise hotel we had a new company take over and 16 people were not rehired just like that. I managed to be employed for 1 more month until they could find someone to replace me too; however, for the past 6 months I have been saying if I lose my job I am going to buy me a snowcone machine and sell snowcones. Well as of today I have a hot dog cart and the snow cone machine is will be here Tuesday. My brother offered to buy me the snowcone machine and I said sure and my husband said I will buy you a hot dog cart. So I found a small cart on Ebay for $599 in a pawn shop in Miami. (near my home too) Every cart I found just like this one was $1300 and more. It is in excellent condition and I can’t wait to start selling hot dogs and snowcones. Thanks for this program.
Good for you Barbara!!! You have a winning attitude and I’m sure you will do well. Let me know how else I can help you!
-Steve
Hey Barbara, I’m think of doing shave ice too, could you contact me at (808) 699-1667 and perhaps we can share info.
Steve, I just registered my name ” Blizzzard in Hawaii & Hula Dogs.” Waddayatink?
Nice! I like the contrast. Very catchy and memorable.
Has anyone here ever contacted their local media?
I have. They ran a story on us in the local paper when we opened.
Got a suggestion that I want to run by you and it may help others
In addition to Punch cards, I want to do a weekly business card drawing, where they drop cards in a bowl and every sunday night I pick a card, and post the winner of a hot dog, chips and soda for all to see.
besides people possibly coming especially to the cart to see if they won ( whomever does stop by to check will probably lunch while they are there. The secondary benefit will be business cards left that you can prospect, by bringing flyers to break rooms, advertising catering, and possibly finding a new great spot to bring your cart twice a week at lunch or whatever.
What are your thoughts?
I love it. Promotions like this are very effective.