Few things say "America" like the humble hot dog. Sure, there's the Statue of Liberty, apple pie, baseball, and a strange obsession with Hallowe'en. But hot dogs hold their own as a symbol of the good old US of A - a universally loved, super-simple food - utterly delicious and easy to eat on the go.
Street food is a growing obsession in the UK; over the past decade, foodie entrepreneurs have popped up in trendy markets all across the land. And we can't get enough of them.
It's easy to forget the modest hot dog among the exotic poutines, burritos, phos, and vegan cauliflower wings. But sometimes simple really is best. The UK street food sector is worth around £1.2 billion per annum, and hot dogs remain a firm favourite, especially among the young.
Hot dog franchises are often mobile businesses that provide owners with vast amounts of freedom. Many franchisees enjoy the music festival circuit throughout the summer and sporting events over the winter.
Festivalgoers, in particular, spend around £200 on food and drink each year. And with big festivals like Glastonbury, V-Fest, and the Notting Hill Carnival offering a vast array of world foods, hot dogs hold onto their position as delicious fodder fuelling late-night revelry.
Franchising
Along with burgers, hot dogs represent a key element of the street food industry in the UK, appealing to a broad demographic. Hot dogs are among the most customisable of all street foods, with a range of condiments and toppings to help define and differentiate your product.
Hot dog franchises provide the training to bring you up to expert status while helping your new business with a ready-built supply chain. The support you receive from your parent company enables you to provide superlative flavour innovation so that you can demand premium prices.
Hot dog franchises are super-flexible when it comes to your choice of outlet: from basic pushcarts that evoke that unique New York nostalgia; to towed trailers and vans, catering to events large and small; all the way through to stylish gazebo stalls in fashionable food markets. Franchise Direct can help you find a franchise model that suits how you want to work.
Investment costs for hot dog franchises are relatively low in comparison with large-scale businesses, ensuring that profit margins remain high, and you earn back your investment costs more quickly.
One of the main benefits of all franchise businesses is that the parent company has proven its market viability with a clearly-defined, demonstrable market niche. Hit the ground running with a product that's been tried and tested and proven popular
Facts About Hot Dog Franchises
Many hot dog vendors differentiate their product with a range of premium condiments and toppings. For example, rather than the standard mustard and ketchup (although they're always going to be a favourite), think about topping your hot dog with chilli-con-carne for a classic Chilli Dog; or topped with roasted peanuts for an Alabama dog.
Alaskan hot dogs use Coca-Cola onions, providing a delicious, sweet, savoury, caramelised glaze; while the Classic California hot dog is wrapped in bacon and served with slices of avocado stuffed into the finger roll: delish! A Connecticut White Clam Dog includes parmesan, clams, mozzarella, and crispy-fried garlic; while a Delaware Dog is topped with salt and vinegar crisps.
Here are some more ideas for delicious dogs:
- The Florida - topped with mango salsa
- The Georgia - topped with yummy, chopped peaches
- The Hawaii - the dog is sandwiched between two slices of deep-fried Spam and topped with diced pineapple
- The Idaho - topped with fluffy mashed potatoes
There are so many varieties; your customers will keep coming back for more.
Franchising Vs Independent
Franchisees tend to attract start-up funds from moneylenders and banks because their adopted business model has been proven successful. Independent companies, on the other hand, often struggle for affordable borrowing rates because they have no evidence of market viability.
Franchises have demonstrated their sustainability and have a demonstrable history of profit, and this is what puts a franchisee in an excellent position to achieve start-up collateral.
Independent companies can rarely prove that their business model has the necessary market potential; creating a barrier to attracting funds.
Hot Dog Franchises
Explore our delectable selection of hot dog franchises, and turn your love of food and creativity into a profitable business today.
Find your brand new start with Franchise Direct.