Do you want to start a hot dog business by buying a franchise? If YES, here are 16 best hot dog franchise opportunities for sale and their cost. Hot dog is a traditional American snack that carved a niche for itself for being frequently consumed at games. It acts as a comfort food for the losing side and an energizing snack for the winning side. Hot dogs have now left the game stands and have now become a very popular American snack.
According to recent survey data obtained by the American Hot Dog and Sausage Council, Americans purchase 350 million pounds of hot dogs at retail stores – that’s 9 billion hot dogs! That works out to about 70 hot dogs per person each year.
Hot dogs are served in 95 percent of homes in the United States. 45% of hot dogs are consumed at the retail level, 15% are purchased from street vendors, 10% are consumed at festivals and events and 9% are purchased at ballparks. The remaining 21% are consumed at restaurants.
A hot dog stand is usually an easy business for entrepreneurs to start because it is easy to sell hot dogs off a cart and get as many customers as if you were selling from a fixed location. If you want to achieve success in a short time in this business, you can easily buy the franchise of a successful hot dog stand.
Buying a franchise within the hot dog industry requires a love for the art of the dog. There are so many styles, toppings and flavors all within one bun, and it’s no wonder why hot dog franchises appeal to such a large audience and can be so successful.
If you are thinking of starting a low cost but delicious franchise, you can check out the few hot dog businesses offering franchise in the United States that are listed here.
16 Best Hot Dog Business Franchise Opportunities for Sale and Their Cost
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Wienerschnitzel
Wienerschnitzel is a family-owned restaurant that specializes in the preparation of hot dogs. The restaurant got its start back in 1961 with a single location established by John Galardi in Southern California.
Hot dogs take the center stage of their menu with their 12 signature dogs: Chili Cheese Dog, Chili Dog, Green Chili Cheese Dog, Corn Dog, Chicago Dog (topped with fresh tomato, fresh onions, pickle spear, relish, sport peppers, tangy French’s mustard, and sprinkled with celery salt), Junkyard Dog (topped with French Fries, chili sauce, a slice of American cheese, French’s mustard, and grilled onions), Deluxe Dog (topped with fresh tomato, fresh chopped onions, pickle spear, and tangy French’s mustard), Bacon Street Dog (topped with a slice of crisp bacon, mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, and grilled diced onions), Relish Dog, Kraut Dog, Mustard Dog, and Mini Corn Dogs.
Any of the dogs on the menu can be ordered as all-beef hot dogs or with Polish sausage. Rounding out the menu are burgers, sandwiches, fries and snacks, breakfast options, and Tastee Freez soft-serve ice cream desserts. Wienerschnitzel offers franchise and it has relationships with third-party sources which offer financing only equipment. Other things you have to finance on your own.
Financial Requirements
- Initial Investment – $303,600 – $1,443,000
- Net-worth Requirement – $600,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement – $250,000
- Initial Franchise Fee – $10,000 – $32,000
- Ongoing Royalty Fee – 5%
- Ad Royalty Fee – 1%
- Veteran Incentives – 25% off franchise fee
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Hot Dog on a Stick
Hot Dog on a Stick got its start back in the 1940s when its founder, Dave Barham decided to add a new item to his Party Puffs food stand in Santa Monica, California. He was already selling ice cream cones and lemonade, but then he used his mother’s corn bread recipe to perfect his original concept of a hot dog on a stick.
He renamed his stand Hot Dog on a Stick and also started traveling around to county fairs to sell the product. It was a hit and soon his stands started appearing in malls as well. The original Muscle Beach location is still in operation today, serving up made-to-order hot dogs.
Patrons can choose a turkey dog, veggie dog, or Nathan’s Famous all-beef hot dog that is dipped into the proprietary Party Batter and cooked on the spot. Rounding out the menu are Cheese on a Stick, Hand-Stomped Lemonade, French Fries, and Funnel Cake Sticks.
The company website has a great page showing off all the famous celebrities who have had their photo taken at Hot Dog on a Stick – and it’s an impressive list.
Financial Requirements
- Initial Investment – $349,200 – $582,000
- Net-worth Requirement – $250,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement – $100,000
- Initial Franchise Fee – $15,000 – $25,000
- Ongoing Royalty Fee – 6%
- Ad Royalty Fee – 2%
- Veteran Incentives – 25% off franchise fee
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Nathan’s Famous Inc.
Nathan’s Famous got its start all the way back in 1916 when Nathan Handwerker, an immigrant from Poland, borrowed $300 to start up a nickel hot dog stand on Coney Island using his wife’s secret recipe. Nathan’s Famous became a public company in 1970, and began franchising in 1988.
The original restaurant is still there at the corner of Stilwell and Surf and is where the company holds its popular Hot Dog Eating Contest each year on the 4th of July since the first one in 1916. Contestants compete for the coveted Mustard Belt. Joey “Jaws” Chestnut racked up his 10th win in 2017 by polishing off 72 dogs in the men’s competition while Miki Sudo took the women’s belt by downing 41 dogs.
The hot dog menu features the World Famous Beef Hot Dog, the Chili Dog, the Chili Cheese Dog, and the Corn Dog on a Stick. The menu also includes Philly Cheesesteaks, Chicken Classics, Crinkle-Cut Fries, Onion Rings, Hamburgers, and Arthur Treacher’s Fish & Chips.
Nathan’s Famous Inc. has relationships with third-party sources which offer financing to franchise fee, startup costs, equipment, inventory, accounts receivable, payroll.
Financial Requirements
- Initial Investment – $276,360 – $1,071,360
- Net-worth Requirement – $500,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement – $200,000
- Initial Franchise Fee – $30,000 – $30,000
- Ongoing Royalty Fee – 5.5%
- Ad Royalty Fee – 2%
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Dog Haus Worldwide
Dog Haus is yet another very popular hot dog restaurant that offers frnachising in the United States. The company took the idea of the “better burger” movement and brought it to hot dogs. The result is a “craft casual hot dog concept” serving up gourmet hot dogs, burgers, and fried chicken sandwiches.
The restaurant was started by a trio of friends (Hagop Giragossian, Quasim Riaz, and André Vener) in Pasadena, California. It uses all-beef dogs and hand-crafted sausages with no added nitrates and served on King’s Hawaiian rolls. Customers may choose from signature Haus creations or customize their own dogs with all kinds of toppings.
Haus creations include creatively named offerings such as the Sooo Cali (topped with wild arugula, spicy basil aioli, crispy onions, avocado, and tomato), the Scott Baioli (smoked bacon wrapped dog, cheddar cheese sauce, caramelized onions, and garlic aioli) and the Free Bird (turkey dog, avocado, tomato, smoked bacon, and miso ranch). Also on tap are craft beers focused on local offerings.
Founded in 2010 and franchising since 2013, the number of locations currently stands at 31, all of which are in the U.S. and none of which is company-owned. Dog Haus Worldwide has relationships with third-party sources which offer financing to cover the following: franchise fee, startup costs, equipment, inventory, accounts receivable, payroll.
Financial Requirements
- Initial Investment – $366,000 – $823,100
- Net-worth Requirement – $1,000,000
- Initial Franchise Fee – $35,000 – $35,000
- Ongoing Royalty Fee – 6%
- Ad Royalty Fee – 2%
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Dave’s the Doghouse LLC
In Boston, a man name Howard Johnson started a business on the beach serving hot dogs and 28 different flavors of ice cream. His hot dogs were grilled and he devised a method of making buns in a loaf which were then sliced on a special machine which left them cut in the center and cut so that there was no crust on the sides. He then buttered and grilled the buns.
Howard Johnson went on to establish a major restaurant chain and then a hotel chain which can still be found around the country. The Doghouse claims to use the best, hand-made, all beef hot dogs and they prepare a special dough for their buns and they essentially follow the lead set by Howard Johnson more than 100 years ago.
Financial Requirements
- Initial Investment – $25,000 – $245,700
- Net-worth Requirement – $100,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement – $50,000
- Initial Franchise Fee – $25,000 – $25,000
- Ongoing Royalty Fee – 6.5%
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Sonic Drive-In
Troy Smith back in the early 1950s took a root beer and hot dog stand called Top Hat in Shawnee, Oklahoma and dreamed of turning it into a vibrant drive-in concept with multiple locations. Six years later, in partnership with Charles Pappe, they started franchising under the name Sonic Drive-In.
People pull into designated parking spots and enjoy made-to-order food delivered to their vehicle by carhops. Unlike standing in line at a counter or waiting in line for a drive-thru, the 25 parking stalls at each Sonic location mean each customer is always first in line.
The chain has also found great success in its Two Guys ad campaign that is among the longest-running in the industry, having started all the way back in 2004. Sonic has a wide-ranging menu but honors its hot dog stand roots with five signature dogs: All-American Dog, New York Dog, Chili Cheese Coney, Footlong Chili Cheese Coney, and a Corn Dog.
Founded in 1953 and franchising since 1959, the number of locations has held mostly steady in recent years and currently stands at 3,593 (an increase of 36 from last year), all of which are in the U.S. and 228 of which are company-owned.
Sonic Drive-In has relationships with third-party sources which offer financing to franchise fee, startup costs, equipment, inventory, accounts receivable, payroll
Financial Requirements
- Initial Investment – $865,000 – $3,641,300
- Net-worth Requirement – $1,000,000 – $2,000,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement – $500,000 – $1,000,000
- Initial Franchise Fee – $45,000 – $45,000
- Ongoing Royalty Fee – 2.45-5%
- Ad Royalty Fee – 5-5%
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Umai Savory Hot Dogs
Umai Savory Hot Dogs is a fast-casual restaurant serving up fusion gourmet hot dogs, sausages, sliders and many specialty items. All their hot dogs are made with fresh cuts of premium meats, all natural casings, all fresh ingredients, are gluten free, naturally smoked, contain no MSG, no byproducts, no fillers, and no artificial flavors or colors. Their unique side dishes, appetizers, desserts, specialty iced teas and craft beers will offer a taste you will never forget.
Umai Savory Hot Dogs not only offers unique fusion-style gourmet hot dogs, sausages and sliders, but their create-your-own menu offers unlimited combinations and customization for even the most die-hard fans. With over 27 signature flavors, 11 types of meat, 20 types of sauces, 8 types of fries (and many more), Umai Savory Hot Dogs® certainly has something for every one – and all made fresh to order.
Starting from just a single hot dog cart in 1992, Umai Savory Hot Dogs® has built a solid following over the years thanks to their customers and fans. Umai Savory Hot Dogs offers in-house financing to cover franchise fee and equipment.
Financial Requirements
- Initial Investment – 18,200 – $226,750
- Net-worth Requirement – 50,000 – $400,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement – 00,000 – $150,000
- Initial Franchise Fee – $20,000 – $20,000
- Ongoing Royalty Fee -5%
- Ad Royalty Fee – 3%
- Veteran Incentives – $5,000 off franchise fee
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Dat Dog
Founded in 2011 and franchising since 2017, New Orleans-based Dat Dog has garnered a cult following of customers drawn to the brand’s vibrant atmosphere, local beer, late-night hours and, of course, its hot dogs. The menu features a slew of gourmet sausages made from crawfish, alligator, chicken, hamburger, and duck, in addition to the traditional beef wiener.
There are more than 30 toppings available at no extra charge – including unconventional options like blackberry sauce, guacamole, Sriracha mayo and crawfish etouffee – and these allow customers to create their very own “jazz improvisation in a bun.”
The restaurant also offers vegetarian and vegan sausage options, in addition to a hot dog wrapped in a lettuce leaf instead of a traditional bun for carb avoiders.
This critically acclaimed restaurant – touted by The New York Times, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Travel Channel and Food Network – currently has three locations open in New Orleans, one in Lafayette, LA, and a franchise location in College Station, TX.
Financial Requirements
- Initial Investment – $502,250 – $927,500
- Net-worth Requirement – $2,000,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement – $150,000
- Initial Franchise Fee – $50,000 – $50,000
- Ongoing Royalty Fee – 6.5%
- Ad Royalty Fee – 2%
- Veteran Incentives – $5,000 off franchise fee
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The Original Hot Dog Factory
The Original Hot Dog Factory is America’s favorite Hot Dog restaurant. If you love hot dogs, then The Original Hot Dog Factory is the perfect place for you. The restaurant offers a wide variety of mouthwatering hot dogs that will make you ask for more.
All their hot dogs are served steamed, grilled, or fried with globally inspired toppings. In addition, they also have friendly staff and delicious food. Not just hot dogs, their menu also features many different beverages and desserts.
The Original Hot Dog Factory is seeking experienced single or multi-unit franchisees to acquire and develop locations in shopping areas, airports, colleges, and more. They will negotiate development agreements ranging from a minimum of three, to over one hundred locations.
Being a great Franchise Partner requires a combination of aptitude, good judgement, and perseverance. The restaurant is looking for people with a passion for business, matched by their desire to deliver the highest-quality customer service and hospitality.
Financial Requirements
- Initial Investment – $97,500 – $517,887
- Net-worth Requirement – $100,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement – $40,000
- Initial Franchise Fee – $20,000 – $20,000
- Ongoing Royalty Fee – 5.5%
- Ad Royalty Fee – 1%
- Veteran Incentives – 25% off franchise fee
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Johnnie’s Dog House
Johnnies is a locally owned, family oriented restaurant featuring World Famous Fried Chicken, Hot Dogs – Beef, Veggie, Turkey, with many toppings from all regions of the country. You will be pleasantly surprised by all the great food options that they offer.
At Johnnies Dog House, the food is always fresh and hot and the restaurant is always clean. They are further known for their friendly staff and the variety of the hot dogs they serve.
If you like food and would like to be part of a growing franchise brand, then Johnnie’s Dog House may be for you. You’ll not only be a franchisee, you’ll be part of a national brand that provides a time-tested and universally loved food—hot dogs!
Financial Requirements
- Initial Investment – $275,000 – $355,000
- Net-Worth Requirement – $300,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement – $75,000 – $100,000
- Total Investment – $275,000 – $355,000
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Destination Dogs
Destination Dogs was founded and is owned by two partners: Jimmy Cronk, and Sean Hosty, who met while working at Clydz restaurant in New Brunswick, NJ. Destination Dogs is totally in-tune with today’s market and consumer preferences, and boasts of an unmatched selection of global-travel-themed gourmet hot dogs and sausages, served up with their own signature cocktails.
Franchise owners, or operating partners, within the Destination Dogs system are needed to have restaurant experience (preferably full service restaurant experience). The company is on the look-out for motivated owner-operators who have management experience, computer skills, leadership and coaching abilities, good communications and problem solving skills, and who are involved in their local communities. They offer both single-unit franchise agreements as well as multi-unit options.
Financial Requirements
- Initial investment range for a single start-up location – $374,000 to $1,091,000
- Initial franchise fee – $50,000
- Royalty – 6% of gross sales
- Technology fee – $50/month
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Naughty Dog
Naughty Dog opened April 2, 2009 with the idea of offering high quality hot dogs at a great price in many different sizes and prepared many different ways. Locally owned and operated, Naughty Dog hopes to continue to be a part of the community and another great option in Bloomington’s variety of restaurants.
Naughty Dog is proud to use Hebrew National Kosher Beef Franks to help ensure they always offer a quality product. For over 100 years, Hebrew National’s commitment to manufacturing products of only the highest quality has meant that artificial flavors, colors, fillers, and by-products are simply not allowed.
This hot dog restaurant offers franchise, and if you want to be part of their team, you can write to the company to request for their franchise development document.
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Sam’s Hot Dog Stand
Growing up in a small town in West Virginia, Sam’s Hot Dog Stand Founder, Frank Lucente often enjoyed spicy chili dogs from a local restaurant as a young boy. It was that childhood joy that became the inspiration for the perfect hot dog experience being delivered at Sam’s Hot Dog Stand today.
Before opening the first Sam’s Hot Dog Stand in Huntington, West Virginia, Frank recruited his good friend and local chef Rocco Muriale to help perfect the menu and develop the most perfectly balanced chili sauce ever, modeled after a secret regional recipe that dates back more than 60 years.
In 1983, when an opportunity arose, Frank and Rocco opened the first Sam’s Hot Dog Stand and the rest, as they say, is history. Frank Lucente is a lifelong entrepreneur who founded Sam’s Hot Dog Stand in 1983 and began franchising the restaurants in 1990. Prior to founding Sam’s, he started a series of successful companies in West Virginia.
Financial Requirements
- Franchisee fee – $10,000
- Average capital required – $21,300 – $49,200
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What’s Up Dog!
The vision to open a hot dog stand became a reality when four longtime friends, with a love for hot dogs, set out to open their very own gourmet grilled hot dog store in March of 2003, and what better name to use than “What’s Up Dog!” A What’s Up Dog! Franchise offers the opportunity to be part of the world’s up and coming franchises.
With over 10 years of building the WUD! brand and much trial and error of WUD line of hot dogs, including its famous What’s Up Dog! 8″all beef frankfurter, Chicago style dogs, chili and cheese dogs and corn dogs, they have arrived at a unique and competitive position in the fast food marketplace.
Financial Requirements
- Liquid Capital Required: $60,000 – $75,000
- Total Investment: $125,000 – $200,000
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Windmill Hot dogs
Windmill hot dog is yet another hot dog business that is offering franchise in the United States. Windmill Fresh Meat 100% Beef Burgers are ground by local butchers and delivered directly to the stores on a day-to-day basis. The entree menu is rounded out by Charbroiled Gourmet Chicken Breasts, second to none; custom-cut Rib-Eye Steak Sandwiches; a limited variety of other tasty entree sandwiches and in some locations, fresh salads.
The Windmill franchise team is totally committed to your success and to the success of your restaurant. Their experts will be able to take you from beginner to expert in just thirty days! They will also be able to provide you with just the right amount of support during each phase of the opening.
They are prepared to offer comprehensive support to those new to the industry, and to the more experienced franchisee, just the guidance and support unique to the Windmill operation.
Financial Requirements
- The initial fee is $27,500, with discounts available for multiple locations.
- Total investment – $127,500-$322,500
- Advertising fees – 4% on the first 500,000 of gross sales and 2% on all gross sales after that.
- Royalty fees – 5%
- CRAVE Hot Dogs and Barbecue
Crave began in 2018 and are unique and trendy fast casual BBQ and Hot Dog Joint that offers BBQ sandwiches and sliders along with 100% All Beef Hot Dogs, Brats and Sausages grilled to perfection. You can top it anyway you like with their array of toppings and delicious sides, such as baked fries or coleslaw.
The restaurant also features a self serve beer wall. Customers can choose from the many beer options, as well as wine and cider. As much or little as you choose, it’s up to you. At Crave its all about customer satisfaction and experience.
Crave is now looking for franchise partners throughout the U.S. as well as Internationally. If you want to own your own business, encourage creativity and still have time for your family, Crave could be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for.
Financial Requirements
- Minimum Cash Required – $50,000
- Net Worth – $50,000
- Total Investment – $190,400 – $512,500
- Franchise Fee – $35,000
- Hula Dog
Hula Dog is a new power in comfort food that will forever be linked to Hawaii. Hula Dog® is a unique Hawaiian experience. In a specially baked, bun sized loaf of bread the bread maker pierces a “Puka” from one end through most of the length of the bun. Hula Dog reinvents the identity of the American hot dog.
The sweet essence of local fruits is combined with the mellow warmth of garlic, lemon sauces to contrast with the savory taste of the polish sausage. The restaurant not only provides a hotdog that not only presents a totally new taste sensation, but one that must be held differently too.
In addition, they employ their own uniquely designed equipment to toast a Puka (hole) in the bread and keep the polish sausages separate from the veggies. With bright colorful murals, and painted tables & chairs, they present their dinning experience in a tropical Bamboo little hut setting to follow the idea of a Hawaiian influence in their products.
Financial Requirements
- Cash Investment: $100,000
- Investment Range: $164,000 – $270,000
- Franchise Fees: $25,000