Family Sees Cartload of Savory Success in Small Business Venture

One doesn’t typically think ‘hot dogs’ when presenting a teachable moment to their children. But that’s exactly what Mike Isherwood thought last October when he started to formulate an idea that would have him spending summer weekends with his 12-year-old daughter, Megan.

Today, Isherwood and his daughter await tonight’s Wauwatosa Common Council’s decision on the fate of M&M Hot Dogs, LLC that will determine if the hot dog cart that Isherwood wants to operate in the parking lot at 10506 W. Blue Mound Road can open for business.

“Megan is so excited. This has been a real learning experience for her,” Isherwood said of the process of going in front of city’s commissions and councils, obtaining insurance, ordering a cart, maintaining inventory, knowing food-service guidelines, filing federal and state tax papers and setting up a corporation.

“She’s learned that there is a lot involved in starting a business. She even spoke at two of the commission meetings.”  

Megan admitted to being nervous, but typically addressing a city commission can do that to a grownup. "The mayor asked me a couple of questions. I was a little nervous but I really want to have this hot dog cart with my dad," Megan said.

It’s also been a learning experience for Isherwood and his brother-in-law, Jake Wood, who owns the property on which the cart will operate. They are “proud graduates” of Hog Dog U., a two-day class in preparing Chicago-style hot dogs, Isherwood said. “We are serving food to the public, so we can understand why there is so much to know and go through in order to do this.”

The cart will operate only on weekends, from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., during the warm-weather months – ideally April to November, but this is Wisconsin, so nothing is written in relish.

Speaking of condiments, Isherwood said there will be ketchup available even though purist would scoff at the addition. “You got to give the customers what they want,” he said. Plain and poppy seed buns also will be available.

In addition to Vienna Beef hot dogs, M&M Hot Dogs will sell chips, soda, ice cream, lemonade and bottled water. The cart special will be two dogs, chips and a soda for $5.50.

For years, Isherwood, who is a semi-truck driver, faced the daily question, where do I pull in a big rig to have lunch?

“Industrial parks are the easiest. I’ve noticed that these areas have hot dog carts for employees and truckers,” he said. “I always thought this would be a good thing to do when I retire.”

But why wait? He thought this would be a good opportunity to spend time with Megan. “She’s very outgoing and loves to talk to people,” Isherwood said of his only daughter. “We’ll have a good time.” 

Megan will be with her dad during hours of operation, but, by state law, she is classified as a “helper,” and can not make or assemble the hog dogs.

A student at , Megan plans to attend Divine Savior Holy Angels High School. “Maybe we can make a little money for her tuition, but there are a lot of expenses to be paid before there’s money for that,” he said.

Isherwood has the stainless steel cart picked out and ready to order – complete with a yellow and blue umbrella, he’s just waiting on tonight’s vote. If it goes the way he hopes, he and Megan will be selling hot dogs for the July 4th weekend.

Megan's summer won't be all hot dogs and ice cream. She will be going to a couple of summer camps and having fun with friends.

“And who knows, if things go well, maybe next year we’ll have two carts,” Isherwood said. “If not, I’ll have the coolest barbecue in the neighborhood in my back yard.”