Here is a fairly comprehensive list of the items that will need to be considered in starting a new hotdog cart business. This can be used to build a business plan. Not all the items listed may apply to your particular situation. There may also be some not listed that may apply to your local circumstance.

• Business License
• Location License
• Location Rent
• Special Events Permit
• Health Dept. Permit
• Health Dept. Cart Inspection Fee
• Health Dept. Training
• Commissary Fee
• Hot Dog Cart Purchase Cost
• Initial Inventory:

1. Food (Meat)

2. Food (Buns)

3. Condiments

4. Side Orders

5. Beverages

6. Paper Goods

7. Cleaning Supplies

8. Propane

• Clothing – uniforms, aprons, gloves, hats
• Trailer Hitch on Tow Vehicle – purchase & installation
• Office Supplies – paper, balance sheets, cash box
• Cell Phone
• Signage (cart logo and menu)
• Advertising (flyers, menus, classified ads)
• Insurance (vehicle, cart, business)
• Cash Float (coins and small bills)

The Expense List for Your Hotdog Cart

After the single largest outlay of funds in your hotdog cart business, the next things you need to prepare your wallet for are the small daily expenditures for operating your business. The following is a short list of generalized expense list for your hotdog cart business.

• The Periodic Expenses. These first expenses for the hotdog cart business are the yearly expenses. These include the licenses needed to legally operate the business such as the business license and the location license. These licenses need to be renewed annually and with it payment of the licensure fees. The next periodic expenses are the monthly expenses that need be paid monthly and these include rent, salaries, utilities, taxes and finance payments. These need be paid in order to keep your business afloat as it operates daily.
• The Supplies Expenses. Like any going concern, you need to have an inventory of items that would be used in the business you are operating. For your hotdog cart business, you need to purchase the meat and bread products, condiments, side orders and beverages. These all need proper storage and it is best that purchases for these are made weekly or as the need arises depending on demand. The other supplies that need to be provided are the paper items such as plates, napkins and wrappers. You would also need to stock up on plastic cutlery, propane and cleaning materials as you need to keep this in proper storage as you operate your business.
• The Operational Expenses. These expenses are not directly attendant to the operation of the hot dog cart business but are still essential items in the business operation. These include uniforms, aprons, gloves and hats for your hotdog cart personnel. You also need to have office supplies for the business operations of your going concern. These include cash box, balance sheets, cash box and other office items that are essential for your reportorial requirements.
• The Marketing Expenses. These are the expenses that will make your hotdog cart business visible and viable in the myriad of food stall owners in the market today. This not only is about having a sign over your hotdog cart stand, but it is also about giving out flyers and making taste tests to inform the public of your business and you to obtain information about your business. Ultimately, these marketing expenses will get paid off with the increased sales because of your marketing activities.

These are but some of the expenses your hotdog cart business would entail as it starts its operation. All these expenses can be covered so long as you have properly planned for the revenue that will be earned selling your food. Ultimately, these become normal expenses that you will need not only to ensure the business operates but it runs smoothly and efficiently.