Hot dog stall at markets and events

Market visitors, families at events, sports crowds and festival goers looking for a quick, cheap bite.

Sell each hot dog and drink at a fixed price, with extras like cheese or premium sausages to lift the average sale. Site fees at markets and events come out of takings.

• Safe food handling
• Fast, friendly customer service
• Planning stock to avoid waste
• Handling cash and card payments

• Food business registration and notification, which is managed through your local council and differs by state, so check what applies
• Food safety rules for temperature control, handwashing and a food safety supervisor, which vary by state
• Public liability insurance, which many markets and events require
• Gas equipment safety and any fire rules at events, so check with organisers
• Weather and quiet days can hit takings, so avoid overbuying stock
• ABN, and GST registration once turnover reaches the threshold

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $2,000 to $8,000, depending on your gazebo, cooking equipment, stock, insurance and registration costs. Avoid overbuying stock early, as weather and quiet days can hit takings.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $800 to $4,000, depending on how many markets and events you trade at, your pricing and the weather. The idea assumes at least about 8 hours a week, and revenue is not profit.

Check food business registration and notification through your local council, as this differs by state. Also check food safety rules on temperature control, handwashing and food safety supervisors, public liability insurance required by markets, gas and fire rules at events, and ABN and GST.