This post is half serious half for fun (meaning, it's possible and a dream but also I recognize it might be considered a silly dream).

Let me begin by saying I have the right to EU citizenship I would obtain if I tried to go after this dream.

Secondly, I had the best hot dogs I've ever had in Norway.

Hear me out, I will receive a pension in a few years of 600k NOK/year ($60k USD).

How challenging would it be to set up a hot dog stand or pølsebod in a touristy area during tourist season and sling some of those heavenly pølse? Is this market oversaturated? Are startup costs too difficult? Are the mobile hot dog carts that I envision too difficult to get around Norwegian governmental rules? I'd run it myself keeping labor costs to a minimum.

I studied Norway a long time ago in university for three years so while today it's almost entirely gone, would be hoping that the fact I studied it long ago means it would come back semi-quickly. I know it probably wouldn't matter in a hot dog slinging business, but I'd want to be a good resident while there and speak the language.

by PeterNjos

9 comments

  2. Depending on where you are imagining to do this, I think it’s a good idea as a (semi)retirement hustle. 2-3 cruise arrivals in a week meaning you also have lots of spare time. As a citizen I have no idea how the process is for licenses and such, but your biggest hurdle is most likely “Mattilsynet”(Norwegian FDA) and getting approval from them, but absolutely doable. Good luck!

  3. Your first step would be to actually get that citizenship – a right to one does you no good if you don’t actually have it.

    As for the requirements for operating a foodtruck, you can find the relevant information [here](https://www.mattilsynet.no/mat-og-drikke/matservering/salg-av-mat-fra-foodtruck-matvogn).

    You will have to register a business in Norway in order to operate a food truck, which you can read about [here](https://info.altinn.no/starte-og-drive/starte/).

  4. Have a look at double taxation in Norway and the US, not sure how that affects pensioners.

    Fuel / gas stations are looking to diversify away from relying on fuel sales only. Their quality of food improving all the time (Rèal at ST1 stations for example) They have price wars with each other often, that’s your competition.

    Someone mentioned cruise passengers, they’re notorious for not spending on land, some return to ship to eat ‘all inclusive’ cities are limiting the amount of ships permitted .. it’s not sustainable.

  5. I have heard many people compliment the Norwegian pølse, but i find it interesting that it is someones dream to sell them.

  6. My brother studied in Australia, he saw a huge market down there for hotdogs in 7eleven for drunk people. He’d go there and realize “oh, right, they’ve only got pais”.

    I worked with a Brit, and at lunch he went straight for the bacon sausage down the street. Personally I think I OD’ed on them on airports.

    [https://www.finn.no/recommerce/forsale/search?q=salgsvogn](https://www.finn.no/recommerce/forsale/search?q=salgsvogn)

    The trailers are a bit pricey, I’d go for a blank one and make minor but smart designs changes.

    Copy this link into google translate in its entirety: [https://www.mattilsynet.no/mat-og-drikke/matservering/salg-av-mat-fra-foodtruck-matvogn](https://www.mattilsynet.no/mat-og-drikke/matservering/salg-av-mat-fra-foodtruck-matvogn)

  8. I ate SO MUCH of those the month I stayed in Norway lmao. I loved them.

  9. Lots of people are running food trucks these days. Some go around to various events and some have rather static places. You don’t want to be running a food stand with no shelter in Norway, even in summer. We can get wild storms or horrendous heat, spring and autumn can be cold and wet. A food truck would be safer – at least you’re covered! You’ll have to take some courses to learn the ropes for cleanliness and food safety (they do surprise checks), and you’ll have to get to know about regulations for hiring workers, and (do yourself a favour) find a good accountant to help you with that stuff. As for 600k per year, it’s doable if that is after taxes but if it’s before taxes, it’s probably not gonna be enough at first so save up before you come! As well, you’ll need to look into UDI rules for your stay here (yes there are rules even if you have EU citizenship!), bank accounts, company registration, and all sorts before you start up so begin early with collecting the info and licenses!! 🙂

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