Hot Dog on a Stick comeback roadmap: New owner, rapid expansion and lobster?
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Set us as preferred Californian icon Hot Dog on a Stick is plotting a comeback with a new owner, new outlets and new meats on sticks.The fast food joint — with roots in Santa Monica’s Muscle Beach and known for its corn dogs and hand-stomped lemonade — has plummeted from its glory days as a staple food at food courts across the state.
The rise of competition and decline of malls has slashed its presence, but its new owner has big plans for a comeback.“The opportunity I’ve seen is to bring it back to the people that have memories about it and a whole new generation of younger kids,” said Stephen Siegel, founder of Amazing Brands.
The Las Vegas company bought it this month after its former parent company, Fat Brands, declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy.Business Beverly Hills-based Fat Brands Inc.
said in a statement that it filed for bankruptcy on Monday to restructure the debt it accumulated while expanding its company portfolio, citing ‘difficult and largely unforeseen’ market conditions.Siegel said he will open a flagship location in Las Vegas and expand into other markets while keeping a strong presence in the Golden State.While reopening and adding new stores, Siegel wants to bring new energy to the brand.He plans to reopen some closed stands and add hundreds of outlets, expanding to locations beyond malls, such as airports, stadiums, amusement parks and drive-thrus.Hot Dog on a Stick has locations in four states outside of California, including Nevada, Utah and Hawaii.
The majority of its locations are in malls.One notable exception is the original hot dog stand near the Santa Monica Pier.
The chain currently has about 45 locations, and Siegel hopes to boost that total to 1,000 in the next five years.Food From classic franks to chili dogs and perros calientes, these are the best hot dogs in Los Angeles.The menu is set to change as well.
While Hot Dog on a Stick will continue with its classi...