The University of North Dakota’s recent Dollar Dog Nights proved to be a resounding success, with a total of 1,600 hot dogs served during the men’s and women’s basketball games this month. On January 15, during the matchup against St. Thomas, all 1,000 hot dogs were sold out by the time the game began, highlighting the popularity of this promotional event.
Jody Hodgson, General Manager of Ralph Engelstad Arena, noted the intense demand for the hot dogs. “In hindsight, I wish we would have made additional hot dogs and had them ready to go,” Hodgson remarked. The challenge lies in predicting the number of attendees and balancing supply with waste. “We’ve had nights in the past where we have done it and thrown 300 or 400 hot dogs away, and nobody feels good about that,” he added.
The Dollar Dog Night promotion has been a recurring feature over the past four years, taking place once per season. Attendance uncertainty has influenced the quantity of hot dogs prepared, but recent events, including the January 21 women’s game against South Dakota State, suggest a growing enthusiasm among fans.
Balancing Demand and Preparation
Concession staff face a unique challenge in determining the appropriate number of hot dogs to prepare. For the men’s game on January 22, nine concession workers were needed to cook the hot dogs, which took approximately 90 minutes to prepare. The number of hot dogs is predetermined based on expected attendance, but this can feel like a guessing game, as Hodgson explained.
“We want to provide for the fans but also want to manage waste,” he said. The popularity of the promotion comes at a time when food prices are rising, making it difficult for families to find affordable dining options at sporting events. The Dollar Dog Night stands out among typical promotional themes like “green outs” or “senior nights.”
Looking Ahead to Future Promotions
The success of the January 22 event, where 1,000 hot dogs were sold, likely set a record for the facility. Given the strong turnout this year, plans are already in motion to increase the number of frankfurters available for next year’s promotion. Hodgson anticipates that the increased supply could lead to even higher sales figures in the future.
“It’s been very successful, and we’ve been really happy with that ability to attract an audience and get more people into The Betty,” Hodgson concluded. As the University of North Dakota continues to engage its community through events like Dollar Dog Night, it is clear that a focus on fan experience and affordability resonates strongly with attendees.
