Hot Dog Franchises Information

Hot Dogs in America are a national tradition. Eating one at the ball park watching a game or grabbing a 'dog from a vendor on the street on the way home is very much a part of American life.

And enterprising Americans have taken the simple idea of a frankfurter in a bun with a lot of sauce and turned it into not only a multi-billion dollar industry, but one of the most popular franchises in the US.

• The original hotdog originated in Germany in the 1860s;
• July is National Hotdog Month;
• Americans eat on average 150 million hotdogs during the summer months, known as "Hotdog Season";(National Hotdog and Sausage Society)
• In 2007 $4.1 billion dollars was spent on consuming hotdogs (National Hotdog and Sausage Society);
• Low fat or healthy hotdogs accounted for 12.4% of the total hot dog market in 2004 (National Hotdog and Sausage Society)
  
  The simplicity of the hotdog is one of its major strengths. It requires little work and preparation, stalls can be set up almost anywhere, there is a guaranteed demand for the product, and the returns are high. Of course, there are many different types of hotdog vying for the top spot, with wieners, footlongs, redhot, corn dogs, chili dogs, cheese dogs, and many others available across the country.
  
  And it's this diversification that makes the 'dog so popular. Each city in the US has its own style and brand, and many are fiercely proud of their take on the American classic. In Chicago for instance, the hotdog comes steamed or boiled in a sesame seed bun, with a variety of relishes and toppings – but strictly no ketchup.
  
  And this means more scope for potential franchisees, with Chicago-based hotdog seller Gold Coast Dogs among those capitalizing on the intensity of this Midwestern demand.
  
  For those considering a move into the market by way of franchising, the scope of opportunity is huge. From static hotdog stands to mobile carts, sausage and hotdog crossover vendors and even full-blown hotdog stores, there is a variety of choice for a potential hotdog franchise business venture.
  
  Costs can range from around $40,000 or $50,000 for a simple cart or stand franchise, up to $150,000 to $400,000 for bigger, static locations and stores.
  
  And with the backing of a franchiser behind you, whether it is local or national, there is a strong chance of success for the enterprising hotdog salesperson. Support from franchisers comes in the form of training, sales and marketing advice, promotions and various other business necessities to help improve the franchise.
  
  However, anybody considering the market is urged to undertake as much research as possible, both in terms of market consumption and the franchisee's personal financial situation. For smaller hotdog outlets, a great deal of hands-on work may be necessary, while any franchisee will be required to put a lot of effort into developing their business, and this needs to be taken into account when weighing up options for the hotdog franchising industry.