- Franchise 500 Rank
-
N/R Not ranked last year
- Initial investment
-
$457K - $630K
- Units as of 2024
-
49 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.
Company Overview
About Hot Dog on a Stick
Business Overview
| Franchising Since | 1997 (28 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
|
$25,000 |
|---|---|
|
Initial Investment
|
$456,500 - $629,500 |
|
Net Worth Requirement
|
$1,500,000 |
|
Cash Requirement
|
$500,000 |
|
Royalty Fee
|
6% |
|
Ad Royalty Fee
|
4% |
|
Term of Agreement
|
15 years |
| Is franchise term renewable? | Yes |
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?
|
No |
|
Can this franchise be run part time?
|
No |
|
Are exclusive territories available?
|
Yes |
Franchise 500 Ranking History
Compare where Hot Dog on a Stick landed on this year's Franchise 500 Ranking versus previous years.
Sign Up for Our Franchise Newsletter
Stay up to date on the latest news and trends affecting the franchise industry.
Related Franchises
Are you eager to see what else is out there? Browse franchises that are similar to Hot Dog on a Stick.
Related Franchise Content
Catch up on the latest franchise news, trends, and more.
These Are the Top 10 Burger Franchises in 2025 — And They Can Make More Than $1 Million a Year
The top 10 burger franchises on the Franchise 500 aren't just fan favorites — they're smart investments with brand strength, franchisee support and growth to back them up.
This Husband and Wife Started a Business in One of the Fastest-Growing Areas of the Country. Now They Have 9 Locations — Some Doing Over $1 Million a Year.
Chad and Tiffany Mussmon grew from a single The Little Gym in 1997 to seven locations plus two Snapology territories — and now run a co-branded hub built for busy families.
See Which Former Super Bowl MVP Just 'Stole' Danny DeVito's Jersey Mike's Job
DeVito helped humanize the brand, but a new NFL deal has Jersey Mike's turning to a fresh source of star power.
Want to Start a Business? This Franchise Will Give You Up to $100,000 to Do It.
Firehouse Subs is cutting startup costs for certain franchisees with a new round of incentives worth up to $100,000 per restaurant.
This Entrepreneur Turned a Weekend Side Hustle Into a Business That Doubled Margins — And Is on Track for $7 Million
Sal Longo turned a daycare side gig into a real business. After a back-to-basics reset, Busy Bee Jumpers earned $5.5 million last year from a single location.
She Started a Business to Allow Seniors to Stay at Home — Then Grew Revenue By Nearly 40% and Expanded Into 3 Territories
Beth Copeland turned a deeply personal experience into a thriving senior care business, using technological innovation and personal relationships to expand across Delaware and Maryland.