Look out, America.  We may think we live in a democracy but a powerful new ruler is about to take the country by storm, usurping our minds and satisfying our stomachs.  Standing astride one of his gleaming new vending carts, this mighty monarch is coming in person or on the Internet and when he arrives you’d better have plenty of mustard.  All hail Louie DiRaimondo, Hot Dog King and entrepreneur extraordinaire. 

Patriotic to the core, Louie DiRaimondo feels hot dogs are woven into the fabric of our country like Apple Pie or baseball and is proud to have All American Hot Dog vending carts selling clear across the world.  But with his engaging personality, winner-take-all attitude and business smarts, Louie most personifies our country by living large on the American Dream—and ‘relishing’ every minute of it.

From A Cart To A Kingdom-The “Dream Business”

            Louie began his career as a vendor in the early 70’s in Miami , and became intrigued with how many people asked where they could buy a cart when they bought their hot dogs.   At the time the only place to buy a cart was in the Northeast, and this lack of availability sparked the idea for what would eventually become The All American Hot Dog Company.  Refining his plan and honing his salesmanship skills for the next nine years, DiRaimondo eventually started selling carts as a sideline to his vending business.  After buying carts from local papers he would resell them out of his own home.  The business flourished to such a degree that Louie began manufacturing the carts full time in 1988. 

            In the first of a series of innovative moves that would make All American so distinctive, DiRaimondo chose to emulate the business model of car dealerships and market his carts on a showroom floor.  The idea came after he studied the way carts were traditionally being sold: “I decided to do a tour of all the places that sold hot dog carts, all over the country.  I would arrive and a guy sitting in a warehouse, no shirt on, would show me a catalogue of carts.  I’m thinking, I drove a hundred miles and you’re going to show me a picture?” 

            So DiRaimondo capitalized on a void in the vending industry by creating the world’s first hot dog cart, multiple-unit showroom, complete with TV’s and boldly colored red, white, and blue walls.  “We create an experience, not just a product,” says DiRaimondo.  “We train customers and offer them the supplies they’ll need to operate their cart.”  It’s one-stop shopping in a fun filled, customer-centric atmosphere in a factory retail setting; a paradigm unheard of in the vending industry until DiRaimondo came along.

            “We’re getting phone calls every day from people who want to come in just to see the store.  We have the factory for the carts set up in such a way that people can tour the premises.”  A genuine tourist attraction in Miami , All American Hot Dog is drawing

customers from around the world as well as from around the country.  “I can’t believe this has all happened in just ten to fifteen years.  I’m shipping carts to Russia , Poland , Germany , all over.  It makes me feel good that I can help other people start their own business like I started mine.” 

            DiRaimondo’s infectious enthusiasm has also caught the attention of the media.  He and his carts have been featured on The Food Network, The Discovery Channel’s Monster Garage, plus numerous films and commercials.  In June of 2003 he and his carts were also showcased on the David Letterman show.  This suits the Hot Dog King fine, as he is working to brand the All American name into people’s minds as the first place to go to answer all of their vending needs. 

            “When someone thinks of carts, they’re going to think ‘All American.’”  Recently Louie sold a cart to the Radio City Music Hall in New York City for their Christmas show.  “Why do you think they came to Miami to get a hot dog cart when they could have bought one in New York ?  It’s because they saw All American on the Internet or the Food Channel and knew we sell the best.”

            —And the most.  Sales have doubled this year, and should double again next year.  All American is currently buying another building so their original headquarters will be freed up to be an exclusive showroom space.   But along with the profits, one of DiRaimondo’s greatest pleasures is making his customers happy.  “Our carts are everywhere now.  With the help of the media, it’s great to think of how many people we’ve touched and reached.  But I guess it makes sense.  Everybody loves the hot dog.  It’s as American as apple pie.  I’m in a business that’s going to go on forever because I help people help themselves.”   With a touch of pride to his voice he adds, “I’m in the dream business.” 

Entrepreneur Alley

           Besides creating the showroom business model for The All American Hot Dog Company, Louie DiRaimondo has also established a distinctive and far-reaching presence on the Internet.  By continuing to brand the hot dog cart as a distinctly American symbol, web surfers are finding it remarkably easy to locate Louie and All American on the Internet.  DiRaimondo is something of a connoisseur of the Web, with specialists on staff who help maintain his high ranking on search engines.  “These days if you just buy a domain name and don’t keep track of where you stand, you’ll be fifth or sixth to come up on the list and the customer has already gone with number one or number two.”

            When asked to give advice to budding entrepreneurs, DiRaimondo says, “Don’t give up.  Believe in yourself.  Don’t worry about failing, just jump back up.  You have to give whatever you’re doing one hundred percent.  If you believe in what you’re doing, just work hard and stick it out no matter what.  And don’t try to fool people—customers are the most important aspect of your business, the first thing.  Without customers you’re never going to grow.”

            DiRaimondo feels that entrepreneurship can also be a distinct personality trait: “It takes a certain type of person to be charged up all the time.  Entrepreneurship, running your own business; it doesn’t work well for a guy that slouches.  There are lots of

sacrifices to be made, to be working so hard all the time, at least ten hours a day.  You have to constantly push your idea, sell your dream, and that’s when you reap the benefits.”

            “It’s like Larry (Spiegel).  He works one hundred percent.  He gives everything; he’s constantly pushing his business.  He’s got so many great angles going.  Why doesn’t the lawyer down the street do it?  I’ll tell you why—because not everybody can be like Larry.  Not everybody can be an entrepreneur.  There’s only one Larry, just like there’s only one Louie.” 

            “Other people thrive on beating the competition in sports, so they have to train, train, train.  Well it’s the same thing in business.  You work all the time so you can win and get recognition and the big bucks.  It’s a natural high for me.  I get excited by making money and being successful.  I think that’s true for most entrepreneurs; we get excited from winning.  That’s what it’s all about.  Playing and winning.”

Business Opportunity :

            For the aspiring vendors of the world, Louie points out the ease and affordability of owning your own hot dog cart.  “You can start your own business for about three thousand dollars,” he advises.  “Depending on what part of the country you live in, license fees will vary buy typically run about two hundred dollars.  You buy your cart from All American, of course, and spend anywhere from two to four thousand dollars according to your budget.  After loading up on supplies (buns, condiments, sodas, napkins, etc.), find the best location possible and a cart usually makes three to five hundred dollars a day in gross sales.  If you have a solid week you can make the price of the cart back in a week.” 

            “And food costs are low,” continues DiRaimondo.  “You can purchase your hotdog and all accompanying items (napkin, bun, condiments) for about fifty cents and then sell the dog for a dollar fifty.  That’s a buck in profit, plus people usually buy chips and a soda on the side.”

            DiRaimondo makes the salient point that vending is one of the few retail businesses with low overhead since you don’t need to pay for water, lights, or a mortgage; just labor and food.  “I used to know guys that had ten different carts running all around the same city.  Each cart would do anywhere from ten to fifteen thousand a month.”

            There is one major caveat, however.  “This is a people business.  If you’re not good with people, don’t do it.” 

Larry Liaison

             DiRaimondo first met Larry Spiegel when Spiegel & Utrera, P.A. helped Louie form his first corporation.  “I like the way Larry runs his business,” says DiRaimondo.  “There’s lots of services available for whatever you need.  You get taken care of over the phone for affordable flat rates.  You can buy a business, sell real estate, have protection if you need to go to court, whatever.  It’s one stop shopping.”  Chuckling, DiRaimondo adds, “He’s sort of the K-Mart of lawyering.  He’s more commercial than other lawyers,

and that’s unique.  But I’m really satisfied with the advice and service he’s given me, and that’s why I keep hiring him again and again.”

For more information on Louie and All American Hot Dog, please go to:

The All American Hot Dog Company Headquarters: 292 NW 54 St. , Miami , FL

http://www.allamericanhotdog.com/ All American Hot Dog’s Website

http://dsc.discovery.com/fansites/monstergarage/episode/episode_19.html  Discovery.Com’s website where you can see Louie’ appearance on Monster Garage/Episode 19: Hot Dog Car

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/business/4975427.htm Miami Herald Article, “Entrepreneur turns hot dog cart business into global enterprise”

www.amazon.com  “The Hot Dog Companion: A Connoisseur’s Guide to the Food We Love,” features Louie and All American Hot Dog.