Just wanted to add ideas for videos for you. I love to watch food being made. I imagine there are others. If you repositioned or added a second camera and get shots of you puting the hotdogs and different dishes together that would give your videos for me a little more appeal. Maybe do a video of your different menu items. I really like what you did with your business. It's a tough business to be in selling food. People don't realize how much work it is.

@pc9784

10 ай бұрын

Just to give you a point of reference. I watch videos of the kitchen workings in Japanese restaurants on a KZread channel called Udonsoba. If you watch these videos you will understand what I'm talking about being able to see them making the food and how it's visually stimulating for the audience. I watch for my kid who likes me to make Japanese food. Just An idea for your videos. I do enjoy watching you make food for the customers. Seeing the food you are making would be a plus. Thanks for reading take care and good luck.

@dinerdogs

10 ай бұрын

Your 100% on target with your input. I will see if I can make some adjustments towards that end. I have been really bad about adding content this season. I have two other major irons in the fire, one having to do with this business and another unrelated. Nevertheless I want to start looking into a little equipment to help with shooting video besides just using my iPhone. I’ve bought 2 tripods and another tripod type holder you can hand about anywhere and all three broke or came partly broke. They were all cheap so I guess you get what you pay for. Anyway, thanks for the comment and I appreciate you watching so far.

Wow... thank you! Just bought a Big Dog and we're in the process of due diligence travel (lol). Your video is super helpful and full of info. You helped me organize (in my brain) all that I've been learning.. I appreciate it.

@dinerdogs

Жыл бұрын

Hi Robin! That’s really exciting. The Big Dog is really popular and a money maker too. Bravo for making it happen and send a pic of your first setup. Love to see your style

Can’t go wrong with Nathan’s!

@nathansmiddy

3 ай бұрын

Yet, my size is only 5ft and 11"

Great info brother! Just what I was looking for 👍 Trying to fix up a used cart now to be ready by football season 🤞🏻

@dinerdogs

4 ай бұрын

So glad you found it helpful! Sounds like you got a good plan going. Best of luck!

Love this! Thank you soooo much! Between Ben drilling in my head that I can do it, and videos like this! Y’all about have me out slingin’! Just ordered all my condiments and disposables. Now I’m lookin’ around for my dogs and bread (there’s SO many!😳🤦🏼‍♀️) I live in a rural area so I hope it doesn’t take too long 🥰 Scared & excited all at the same time! Thanks again!

@dinerdogs

Жыл бұрын

It will be an adventure for you. Just remember that if another person can do it than so can you. Rural areas do pose some challenges that vendors in more populated areas don’t have to overcome but there are some advantages. It would be great to find a convenient location where it’s easy for customers to pull off and grab food from you. Then set a schedule and be consistent. You will have some down days. Just get up, brush yourself off, and go again. On top of consistently serving at a regular location, offer your services for birthday, retirement, and other private parties. Being a smaller community it will be easy to setup that type of service and once you have 3-4 private party events under your belt, word will spread and you will start getting referrals. These are typically less money than a day of street vending but you do a quick setup and service and get out. Limit it to 2 hours total and you will do well. I’m cheering for you - let me know how it’s going from time to time and share what you learn. 🍻 cheers.

@kimberwest7304

11 ай бұрын

I sure will! Taking a break from it to get the kids ready to start school ( My husband and I foster) then I’ll get back on it and let you know how it goes! Thanks again;)

Love the set up!!! I’ve been thinking about adding Lemonade and snow cones for the summer. Thanks for the video and giving me some motivation to get back out there!

@dinerdogs

Жыл бұрын

Hiya Good Dawg!, I have a new video that might interest you which will be published today at 6PM MST. It includes good info about lemonade and drinks. Just wanted to give you a personal heads up.

@shammi5

Жыл бұрын

same.... following

@dinerdogs

Жыл бұрын

@@shammi5 thank you!

@angelamc3532

Жыл бұрын

@@dinerdogs So how do you keep everything from blowing away if it storms and if its really windy?? Sometimes weighted bags wont even hold things down, plus all the stuff thats out of your table? And do you need any kind of license to sell lemonade ?

@dinerdogs

Жыл бұрын

@@angelamc3532 thanks for the question. Let's start with the license. We have it as an approved item on our menu because we were going to be doing food and needed the permit anyway. However, most states have lemonade under either a cottage industry item or agricultural. The best thing to do is check the Health Department website for your area. As far as wind, I never wanted to be good at wind so if it becomes a problem, we close. I have the leg weights and they do a good job for wind below 15 mph. If we get gusting wind we work through it for a while because on occasion it last only a few minutes and goes away, particularly if it has otherwise been calm. If it lasts for more than 15-30 minutes we close. I don't think it is worthwhile to fight it. We watch the weather closely and most of the time during lunch hours it is pretty calm here during our season. Our setup is definitely not wind friendly.

Hey Richard! Great to see you putting together a great information filled video. This is a great video, for a peek at what it really takes, everyday! 🌭

@dinerdogs

Жыл бұрын

Hiya Scott! I really appreciate your support and encouragement. I need to shoot some more of Okie Dokie Dogs and Updogs this year. That would be great content!

Great video love the set ip

Great Video. Very entertaining and knowledgeable. You know your stuff.

Great job explaining everything. Thanks for sharing your set up and processes 😊👍💪

@dinerdogs

7 ай бұрын

That’s very kind of you. I appreciate you watching

This was my first vid of yours, you seem like a quality guy. I’ve been watching Ben’s vids and you have a nice calm knowledgeable approach. Subbed.

THE SET UP LOOKS GREAT! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.

@dinerdogs

4 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for the kind word. Will do!

Thanks

Awesome Job! 👌🏾

@dinerdogs

Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much!

I really appreciate the time you put into sharing this video! great content, keep it up. You inspire me! 🌭🥤

@dinerdogs

Жыл бұрын

You are so kind! To inspire or at least pay it forward is my only goal! Thank you - I will be adding another hopefully within the next week.

@mscherri99

Жыл бұрын

@@dinerdogs you are most welcome. God bless your family.

@dinerdogs

Жыл бұрын

Hi Sherrie! Hope the day is finding you happy and well. I have a new video that will be published today at 6PM MST. I just wanted to thank you again for inspiring me to share more and offer you a personal heads up on what's coming later today.

THANKS BUDDY YOU HELP A LOT IM ALL IN

@dinerdogs

Жыл бұрын

My pleasure and I appreciate you watching. Have a great Saturday and good luck!

Would be interested in the table cover. Nice that they stench over the table legs. Thanks for sharing. Blessings to you and your business.

@dinerdogs

Жыл бұрын

I really recommend them. I got them on Amazon and have a few sets so they can be washed each day. Makes for a better impression and you can get them to match your colors

I appreciate you sharing your time, wisdom and thought processes AND thoroughly enjoyed this video! New sub here! Lookin forward to your other videos. Within minutes of this you gave us multiple places to look up equipment! I'll refrain from asking questions until I watch the other vids and read the comments. Thank you Sir :)

@dinerdogs

8 ай бұрын

Welcome Mike! It's not a problem, just let me know how I can help and thanks for watching

Congratulations

Love your advice, wonderful video and as detailed oriented as you seem to be you must know Nathan's is owned by a Chinese Company and so is Smithfield Meats. I'm retired and seriously thinking about doing this of course starting out on a much smaller scale getting started. I will keep following you and in the future may try to bother you for some advice. Thank you and Good Luck going forward.

@dinerdogs

6 ай бұрын

Thank you for the comment. I wish you all the best in your plan to potentially start your own business. Yes I am aware of Nathans ownership and it is very unfortunate that so many American companies have sold out this way. Even the phone in my hand was made in China. Where does one draw a line? On which hill does one choose to die? Definitely hard questions to answer for me and for many others trying to live the American Dream. As a business owner wanting to offer my customers the best I can afford, Nathans Famous has consistently been rated #1 in national taste tests with Hebrew National taking second. This is what I discovered while doing my due diligence before ever opening Diner Dogs and so far they have worked very well. There are however many other great brands and I think where one lives regionally makes a big difference. We are in the Northwest

Love the set up. What type of container do you use for you condiments?

@dinerdogs

Жыл бұрын

Thank you Mike! I put that info in the comments section of this video under Related Links kzread.info/dash/bejne/jHmbu5KJj9zJhNI.html

@mikekirkpatrick3005

Жыл бұрын

Thank you Sir!!

@dinerdogs

Жыл бұрын

@@mikekirkpatrick3005 Certainly! Thank you for watching

I'll stick to Costco for my doggies. Ain't gonna pay seven bucks for a cart dog. 😊

Once again great video what type of your built in refrigerated cooler is that and how do you keep it powered up without a generator? Thanks in advance

@dinerdogs

Жыл бұрын

It is an EdgeStar which is no longer in business but another company makes pretty much the exact same model. Can’t recall the name but I’ve put link to it in another video description. Sorry for my bad memory. I’ll look it up for you and post in our page content for you. Appreciate your kind words.

@dinerdogs

Жыл бұрын

Here you go www.whynter.com/product/fm-65g

Do you cut down the middle of the dogs before you put them on the grill and do you butter the buns before grilling? Do you cook your onions or serve raw Thanks

@dinerdogs

9 ай бұрын

I don’t cut them. I steam, then grill which is recommended by Nathan’s. When I first started I used ghee on the grill for the buns but it’s really not necessary. The buns we use are bakery fresh and toast quickly with just the small amount of fat from the dogs being rolled on the same grill. We have fresh diced sweet onions as well as grilled. I grill a bunch during setup and out in a 1/6 pan. When ordered I put some on the grill, season, flip, and top the dog. Thanks for the questions

Where did you get the spring table cloth covers that hinge bottom of tables?

@dinerdogs

Жыл бұрын

Look for "ABCCANOPY Spandex Tablecloths" on Amazon

Hello great video ... I also sell Nathan's may I ask were did you get the signs.. Thanks again

@dinerdogs

Жыл бұрын

Nathan's sent it to me, it depends on where you live as far as who to contact but with a google search I'm sure will get you to where you need. You do have to sign some paperwork that protects their brand etc but it's no big deal. They will give you a few things in a package to promote Nathans. If you have trouble connect I will help you out - just email me eat(at)dinerdogs.com

Love your setup! I'm in North Idaho and was wondering if your setup is completely approved by the Panhandle Health Department? I'm just getting started and will be going to my inspection in a few weeks and want to be sure I'm doing right. Thanks so much!

@dinerdogs

Жыл бұрын

Mine is approved by Central District Health Dept. Yours of course is the Panhandle Health District. You have stricter (stupid) guidelines there which say you cannot grill or cook, only reheat foods transported from your commissary. They do say an adjacent outdoor grill is okay but does that change the rule that you are allowed to cook onsite or still only reheat? I don't know? Sometimes it can be a little frustrating because the HD person may interpret the rules a little differently than they were intended. Your HD also says you have to be partially enclosed however an umbrella is generally accepted. Is that the case there? I have no idea because I've never really studied the Panhandle HD rules. Just glanced at them to reply here. If you have already completed your application and sent in your plan then you will be able to get guidance and I'm sure you will be fine. Also, it is my experience that some health departments do have some room to make judgement calls whereas they will allow things that are not specifically allowed in the code or fall a little outside of their guidelines. This happens when you have met all other requirements and a reasonable workaround in outlined in your plan which includes how you will be able to operate withing food safety guidelines. Food Safety of course must always be in line but you might for instance get away with grilling or frying if you can provide a method that demonstrates the same level of safety. Does that make sense?

@junebug8475

Жыл бұрын

@@dinerdogs Yes, that makes complete sense. You would think the guidelines would be the same throughout the state. I have alot of research to do. Thanks for responding!😊

@dinerdogs

Жыл бұрын

@@junebug8475 will you check back and let us know when you have your review etc. I would love to celebrate your approval with you or help you through any challenges just in case they don't approve on the first review. Either way you will eventually have everything you need to start slinging. Also, don't be discouraged by the limits I pointed at in previous message - you can still make great money because when you do have a good line going you will be able to serve faster than we do. Keeping it simple does bare fruit. Anyway, we are cheering for you so please let us know. PS. My eldest brother was born in Sandpoint and Grandparents owned a little farm right across the road from Silverwood in Athol 🙂They sold it when I was only a few years old.

@junebug8475

Жыл бұрын

@@dinerdogs you bet! Thanks again😊

How do you determine the prices for your products?

@dinerdogs

6 ай бұрын

Good question, Thank you. On most items I shoot for 33% cost or better but on higher profit items I shift towards market pricing. That is I see what my closest competitor sells it for and try matching or beating that price with a better value wherever possible.

How much does Tractor Supply charge you to set up in their parking lot and what is your average daliy sales

@dinerdogs

9 ай бұрын

This TSC does not charge me but have told me they will be charging any new vendors $50/day to setup. This is our 4th season at this location and we have a great relationship with them and give them a discount. I won’t share our average sale’s because that number is meaningless to anyone speculating. We do well is all I can tell you.

@stevecosby6006

8 ай бұрын

Adding your lemonade to your menu increase your daliy sales amount and is it really worth the extra set up and work? Thanks@@dinerdogs

@dinerdogs

8 ай бұрын

@@stevecosby6006 That’s very insightful. Of course if we didn’t think it was worth it (to us) then of course we would skip the extra workload, expense, and potential waste. However, a cart that just sells a handful of lemonades a day would have to seriously ask themselves the same question. Our lemonade is pretty popular and we do pretty well with it. It builds our ticket nicely and although we sell a lot less sweet tea, the low expense still makes it worth our time to offer the additional option. Nevertheless, our weather here starts to cool down significantly at the end of September, therefore, we notify our customers on social media that the last service in September will be the last day lemonade will be offered and we stop setting it up through October. Actually, Saturday was supposed to be our last setup of the year but due to strong winds predicted in the forecast, we will do our final service at a Trunk or Treat event tomorrow afternoon and evening. Thanks for the questions 😊

@stevecosby6006

8 ай бұрын

@@dinerdogs Enjoy your time off and thank you for your answers

Do you have to ask manager before you start setting up at a location?

@dinerdogs

Жыл бұрын

Absolutely. You always have to have a property owner’s permission to setup on their property. In my city, we have to turn in a signed paper saying as much however that may or may not be required where you operate. Just check with your city for their rules.

@davidlopez-rl4sh

Жыл бұрын

No just start blocking businesses and see how that works good luck

how do you get permission to set up in a shopping center/parking lot?

@dinerdogs

Жыл бұрын

I don’t know of any secret or magic method other than simply asking the owner. I can share however that you want to approach them with a mindset or attitude that you are the one giving them an opportunity to better serve their customers. It is not a one way street and the business benefits from having you there. Be armed with all the benefits when you ask. For example, we always shout out our location (your business) on our social media posts to let our customers know where and when to find us. Think of all the benefits they might receive from having you there.

@MrCoolbeanstogo

Жыл бұрын

@@dinerdogs I really appreciate your response. Thank you Sir.

Thank you for the video...but I don't know, it seems you create a lot of extra work for yourself. Of course, if it pays off in dividends, then it must be okay. You keep repeating to "keep it simple" but you really do not practice this at all. Again, I say this knowing that if it didn't work for you, you wouldn't be doing it. Best to you!

@dinerdogs

10 ай бұрын

Spot on. I absolutely believe in keeping it simple and always caution those following a similar path to do just that. This is a great deal of work and more work than we ever see in the videos. Keeping it simple don’t entirely mean keeping things basic or easy. Your comment that I wouldn’t be doing it if it wasn’t working for me is very insightful. I have a lot of examples about how I keep it simple, but when something works I can’t help but to think about how I can scale up. Ultimately, it means I have to work harder most of the time. But knowing as I move in that direct, the rewards are legit and attainable. That’s what I’m focused on now with just a couple months left of the season. Thank you for taking time to comment. Much appreciated