The McDonald's or Burger King of HotDogs

**BrucetonGuy** · Oct 27th, 2011, 09:16 AM

I have always been puzzled as to why there wasn't a nationwide (worldwide) hot dog franchise. I know that Sonic has started really pushing their variety of hotdogs and that there are local and statewide franchises of hotdog shops (Zack's in MD and Michigan and Wienerschnitzel in the west and southwest) but nothing has reached the scale of a McDonald's, BurgerKing, Wendy's, etc. Why do you think this is? There are TONS of burger joints but few hot dog shops. Could this be an opportunity?

**SHHDlove** · Oct 27th, 2011, 09:55 AM

It very well could be, but I doubt it. Trying to start a restaurant in this economy, though, on nothing more an inclination that hot dogs could work seems like a bad idea.

Then again, maybe you should try a hot dog food truck. That's actually kind of a cool idea.

**CarrieW** · Oct 27th, 2011, 09:57 AM

I think it may be due to the fact that alot of people think hot dogs r gross. I personally love them!

the hot dog places that you see on like man vs food and hot dog paradise on travel channel seem to do really really well so idk.

also theres alot of places that sell food that have hot dogs on their menus(usually kids menus). and almost all gas stations /convience stores have hot dogs already.

idk what youll find out but I think its worth looking into. good luck!

**Kak** · Oct 27th, 2011, 12:13 PM

Do it I LOVE HOT DOGS!!!!

Please use houston as your epicenter.

**CarrieW** · Oct 27th, 2011, 12:16 PM

you know all this talk of hot dogs makes me want 1 lol. I think I will call hubby at work and make him bring some home for lunch!

**MCD** · Oct 27th, 2011, 04:13 PM

What about Nathan's Famous? They aren't exclusively hot dogs, but McDonalds isn't exclusively burgers either. They're international and all across the United States.

**BrucetonGuy** · Oct 27th, 2011, 04:16 PM

I suppose I forgot about Nathan's! Thanks!

**MCD** · Oct 27th, 2011, 04:55 PM

Originally Posted by BrucetonGuy

I suppose I forgot about Nathan's! Thanks!

No problem, didn't mean to stop you from going ahead with your idea! Just wanted to make sure you were aware of everything before jumping in.

**CarrieW** · Oct 27th, 2011, 05:09 PM

I have heard of nathans.

but i have lived in 4 different states and not one of them had a nathans anywhere. the closest one I knew of was at the beach.

I say investigate still. if it interests you, you owe it to yourself to at least look into it.

**deepestblue** · Oct 27th, 2011, 05:35 PM

In the US isn't Nathan's primarily east coast.

**CarrieW** · Oct 27th, 2011, 05:53 PM

yeah the ones at the beach are either in jersey or ny.

I have lived in jersey pa fla and ga all east coast. all with no nathans lol.

**Kung Fu Steve** · Oct 27th, 2011, 07:15 PM

Originally Posted by SHHDlove

Trying to start a restaurant in this economy, though, on nothing more an inclination that hot dogs could work seems like a bad idea.

That is an interesting philosophy...

**hustleEveryDay** · Oct 27th, 2011, 09:00 PM

Hot dog stands are doing quite well actually. In fact, I've read about some people making roughly $80k+ in the right locations. Startup cost is minimal, and all you need to invest in is a stand, probably some food licensing, transportation, and then the food itself. I don't have any personal experience with this, but I read this article a while back on some people making $10k+/mo in the right locations:

"Hot Dog-Prenuers" | Nightly Business Report | PBS (talks about making roughly $10k/mo in the right location)

**Kak** · Oct 27th, 2011, 11:59 PM

Well franchising that business model out could be fastlane for sure!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using Tapatalk

**charleswalker36** · Dec 1st, 2011, 06:52 AM

Thoughtful question! But if we start thinking like this, then there will be chains of every fast food. But I appreciate your thought you can go ahead with the idea.

**healthstatus** · Dec 1st, 2011, 11:57 AM

Dairy Queen, Dog & Suds and A&W all have a various selection of options on hot dogs. With the marketing depts of the big players, I would assume they market tested hot dogs and found them to be less than profitable.

**rc08234** · Dec 1st, 2011, 01:58 PM

There is a Nathan's on the atlantic city boardwalk right near ceasers. They are even open late till like 3 or 4 in the morning during summer

**InMotion** · Jan 1st, 2012, 12:27 PM

While I know nothing about the restaurant industry; lookup this guy for some motivation. He's super fastlane in my opinion. He was on secret millionaire also. May have been posted before, but he made like 60 million off of chicken fingers and fries; he’s under 40 still I think. Check it out on youtube, I believe hes on there also.

Todd Graves | Raising Cane's | Secret Millionaire | Chicken Fingers | Cane's Sauce