Dazzlin Franks

In keeping with the "pay it forward" theme started by Dogfather Mark Gallant's Food Trucks Paying it Forward, I thought I'd tell the hot doggin' world about a guy I met on "the hot dog boards" named Bob Breault. Bob is going to enter the ranks of hot dog slingers with his new hot dog business, Dazzlin Franks. That's the short story. The (slightly but not complete) longer story about Bob follows.

Bob's been a tow truck operator for 6 years or so, but he recently had wrist removal surgery (ugh), so he set out to look for a new avocation. Hot Dog Cart operator is his new chosen profession. Unfortunately for Bob, his Scumbag Insurance Company left him high and dry with $16K worth of medical bills (don't get me started) and pretty much cleaned him out of funds, so he's building his own hot dog cart. As you can see, he's just getting started.

Building your own cart (or buying used) is a good way to get started in the hot dog business without a lot of capital, but it's still work and it does cost money. So Bob and his Dazzlin Franks have an Indiegogo campaign going to help him raise funds for his cart build. He's not looking for a ton of cash- only about $1,500, but when you have been cleaned out by medical bills, it might as well be a million bucks! Consider Paying it Forward by slipping a future hot dog man a few bucks. Every little bit does help!

Read more about it HERE.

Food Trucks Paying it Forward

My hot doggin compatriot, Mark Gallant of "The Dogfather" just picked up his second Hot Dog Truck. Aint it a beauty? I am happy for him, he works hard at the hot dog business and I am glad he's finding success. Mark says "treat every customer like he's your friend," and you will be successful. It doesn't hurt having extreme hot dogs either! I can't wait to go check out his new rig.

Another reason Mark is successful is he is a "pay it forward" guy. He's always doing things to help his community, like the annual chili dog eating contest he sponsors to benefit a local church. He plans on doing much more charity type stuff and has even started a Facebook group called  Food Trucks Paying it Forward. 

Mark describes his mission:

"The food truck craze is sweeping the country. Let's face it...nobody NEEDS a visit to a food truck...but eating off a really good food truck makes you feel good! There's lots of people who can't get out to a truck. Why not take the truck to them? Homeless or veterans shelters, the elderly, family shelters, etc. If you're an owner of a food truck, an administrator of a shelter or home, or someone who just wants to volunteer to help on the truck, please post your thoughts and comments here. Maybe through social media we can make a small difference in someone's life, and they in turn can do the same for someone else."

If you own a food truck (or cart or trailer), I urge you to check out his group and join. Think about how you could make a difference- even a small difference- by bringing a little mobile food magic into someone's life.

I have taken Mark's message to heart and will be doing something in my community next week, but THAT's another story for another day.