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Franchise 500 Rank
N/R Not ranked last year
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Initial investment
$457K - $630K
Units as of 2024
49 Decrease 3% over 3 years

Founded in 1946, Hot Dog on a Stick is an American franchise that sells hot dogs. What started as a single location has spread to more than 50 locations in the United States to go along with several overseas. Of those, more than 15 are operated by franchisees.

One thing that has allowed Hot Dog on a Stick to remain on the top of its game for this long is its unique position in the fast-food industry. It may stand out from its competitors by making delicious hot dogs, quirky uniforms, and fresh lemonade, all in a serene atmosphere.

Quality practices are Hot Dog on a Stick’s main focus—if you are going to make a hot dog, there’s no way to do it apart from making it delicious.

Why You May Want to Start a Hot Dog on a Stick Franchise

If you have excellent entrepreneurial and management skills and think you have what it takes to don a Hot Dog on a Stick uniform while providing amazing service with a smile, you may want to consider becoming a Hot Dog on a Stick franchisee. Hot Dog on a Stick believes it is an iconic American brand whose progress is clear for everyone to see. With its limited menu that could be easy to prepare, executing its operation may be simple and convenient.

Opening a Hot Dog on a Stick franchise could offer a more predictable outcome than investing in a completely new brand that may struggle to thrive in an already crowded and competitive industry.

What Might Make a Hot Dog on a Stick Franchise a Good Choice?

Depending on your city, the physical location, and the size of your store, opening a Hot Dog on a Stick may be a good choice because of how it runs its franchises. There is an outlined, proven business model for every franchisee, so you may be able to focus on the operations of your franchise rather than company logistics. 

As a franchisee, you will be responsible for following the company recipe, wearing the famous Hot Dog on a Stick uniforms, and serving customers with a smile on your face.

How to Open a Hot Dog on a Stick Franchise

To be part of the Hot Dog on a Stick team, you should make sure you’re financially ready for an initial investment made up of a franchise fee and other startup costs. In addition, you should prepare yourself for ongoing fees that will include advertising, royalty, and potential renewal fees. Franchisees will also need to meet the company’s set net worth and liquid capital requirements.

While the process of opening a Hot Dog on a Stick franchise may not be complicated, it’s on you to do your research to determine if the franchise will do well in your area. If awarded a franchise, franchisees may receive support from the Hot Dog on a Stick brand throughout the franchising process. In addition to pre-opening training, franchisees could receive support through brand awareness, marketing, research, and construction.

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Company Overview

About Hot Dog on a Stick

Industry Food
Related Categories Hot Dogs
Founded 1946
Parent Company FAT Brands Inc.
Leadership Taylor Wiederhorn, Chief Development Officer
Corporate Address 9720 Wilshire Blvd., #500
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
Social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok

Business Overview

Franchising Since 1997 (27 years)
# of employees at HQ 335
Where seeking

This company is offering new franchises throughout the US.

This company is offering new franchises worldwide.

# of Units 49 (as of 2024)

Information for Franchisees

Here's what you need to know if you're interested in opening a Hot Dog on a Stick franchise.

Financial Requirements & Ongoing Fees

Here's what you can expect to spend to start the business and what ongoing fees the franchisor charges throughout the life of the business.

Initial Franchise Fee Information Circle
$25,000
Initial Investment Information Circle
$456,500 - $629,500
Net Worth Requirement Information Circle
$1,500,000
Cash Requirement Information Circle
$500,000
Royalty Fee Information Circle
6%
Ad Royalty Fee Information Circle
4%
Term of Agreement Information Circle
15 years
Is franchise term renewable? Yes
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Financing Options

Some franchisors offer in-house financing, while others have relationships with third-party financing sources to which they refer qualified franchisees.

Third Party Financing Hot Dog on a Stick has relationships with third-party sources which offer financing to cover the following: startup costs, equipment, inventory, accounts receivable, payroll

Training & Support Offered

Franchisors offer initial training programs and a variety of ongoing support options to help franchisees run their businesses.

On-The-Job Training 194 hours
Classroom Training 56 hours
Ongoing Support
Purchasing Co-ops
Newsletter
Meetings & Conventions
Grand Opening
Online Support
Security & Safety Procedures
Field Operations
Site Selection
Proprietary Software
Franchisee Intranet Platform
Marketing Support
Ad Templates
National Media
Regional Advertising
Social Media
Website Development
Email Marketing
Loyalty Program/App

Operations

Additional details about running this franchise.

Is absentee ownership allowed? No
Can this franchise be run from home/mobile unit? Information Circle
No
Can this franchise be run part time? Information Circle
No
Are exclusive territories available? Information Circle
Yes
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Franchise 500 Ranking History

Compare where Hot Dog on a Stick landed on this year's Franchise 500 Ranking versus previous years.

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Disclaimer
The information on this page is not intended as an endorsement or recommendation of any particular franchise or business opportunity by Entrepreneur Media. Our listings and rankings are solely research tools you can use to compare opportunities. Entrepreneur stresses that you should always conduct your own independent investigation before investing in a franchise or business opportunity. That should include reviewing the company's legal documents, consulting with an attorney and an accountant, and talking to former and current franchisees/licensees/dealers.
Updated: December 12th, 2022