Today we’d like to introduce you to Dan Rossi

Hi Dan, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?

My introduction into business started when I built a hot dog cart for a family friend and when it was done he didn’t want it. I placed an ad in a local paper to sell it and it sold within one day. I built another then another and within ten years I owned the largest vending company in the history of New York City with 499 carts on the street. I worked very hard to grow my business.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?

The former President of the United States when he was just an ambitious businessman, managed to convince politicians in Albany to ban disabled veterans from vending in front of his buildings. As a former Marine and Vietnam veteran I lobbied Albany and had them reinstate the veterans. In retaliation he had his close friend then Mayor of New York City Rudy Giuliani , create laws to destroy my business and blacklist me from the industry. Extremely hard times fell on myself and family, bankruptcies and foreclosures on my properties. We went from living in a six acre estate in Greenwich Conn. to living in a van. Again I went to support a disabled veteran who was being pushed out of working in front of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan. I realized then I should just sell hot dogs. Today I’m known as the New York Hot Dog King.

As you know, we’re big fans of New York Hot Dog King. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?

I currently own one food cart in front of The Met. I’ve been there for the last 17 years and I recently wrote a book. The book is called The New York Hot Dog King: From rags to riches to less than rags. It’s a memoir about my life and my experience in business.

What does success mean to you?

I define success as being able to keep a roof over my family’s head. I’m respected by people that know me. I have strangers come up to me just to shake my hand and it feels like success to me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://newyorkhotdogsnyc.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nyhotdogs?igsh=eW9tbWxhdnFsajZ2&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/newyorkhotdogsatmet?mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@thenewyorkhotdogking?si=y_m8O7B3hVRXDv-Q

Image Credits

Elizabeth Rossi