In Dog Times, Peddling Franks Gets Hot

A frank look at the economy is driving white-collar workers to open small businesses they call “recession-proof”—hot dog carts. Long limited to big cities, stands are turning up even in tiny towns, and are often run by professionals who haven’t quit their day jobs, the Wall Street Journal reports. “Every model is taking off,” says a vendor of the carts, which go for about $2000.

“No one knows what's going to happen with the economy, and I don't want to have to scrounge for a minimum-wage job,” says a grant administrator who recently opened a cart with her family, pulling in $1150 each weekend. But it’s no easy task: professionals used to sitting must stand for hours and devote themselves to set-up and cleaning—and competition’s gotten so stiff that towns are considering required distances between carts.
(More hot dogs stories.)