Hot dog cart at a busy spot

Office workers on lunch, shoppers, tourists, students and people leaving events or bars.

Each hot dog and drink is sold at a fixed price, with extras like premium sausages and combos raising the average sale. Takings depend heavily on location, weather and the time of day.

• Food safety and hygiene
• Quick, friendly customer service
• Handling cash and card payments
• Working outdoors in changing weather

• Many cities limit where vendors can set up and some cap the number of permits, so check before buying a cart
• Your public health unit will probably need to inspect the cart and may require a commissary kitchen for prep and storage
• Commercial general liability insurance, and check what your municipality asks for
• Cold weather and rain can cut sales sharply, so plan for a seasonal income
• Register for GST/HST once you pass the small supplier threshold, and check provincial rules where you live

Estimated startup costs are typically around $4,000 to $15,000, depending on whether you buy a cart or trailer, the equipment you add and your setup. Check local requirements before buying, as they can change what you need.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on your location, the weather and the time of year. Cold weather and rain can cut sales sharply, so plan for seasonal income.

Check with your city and public health unit. Many cities limit where vendors can set up and some cap permits. Check inspection and commissary kitchen requirements, insurance, and GST/HST and provincial rules before buying a cart.