In a remarkable display of enthusiasm, the University of North Dakota’s (UND) Dollar Dog Night promotion was a resounding success, with a staggering 1,600 hot dogs distributed during recent basketball games at the Ralph Engelstad Arena. The promotion, held on January 15, 2023 and January 22, 2023, saw the entire supply of 1,000 hot dogs sold out before tipoff during the men’s game against St. Thomas, highlighting the increasing popularity of this annual event.
High Demand and Limited Supply
Concession staff experienced a challenging yet rewarding night as they worked diligently to meet the overwhelming demand from fans. Jody Hodgson, General Manager of the Ralph Engelstad Arena, acknowledged the difficulty of predicting attendance and managing hot dog supply. “In hindsight, I wish we would have made additional hot dogs and had them ready to go,” Hodgson stated. “But as you can imagine, you are not really able to keep up with the demand and make them on the go.”
The Dollar Dog Night promotion has been a recurring event at UND, featured once per season over the last four years. While attendance can fluctuate, the excitement around these events has led to strong sales during specific games, such as the recent matches against St. Thomas and South Dakota State.
Staff members face the challenge of balancing availability and waste. Hodgson noted past experiences where they had to discard hundreds of hot dogs due to overestimating demand. “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 said. To mitigate this, the number of hot dogs prepared is based on expected attendance and available labor.
Preparing for Future Promotions
Successful execution of the promotion requires careful planning. For the men’s game on January 22, nine concession workers spent approximately 90 minutes preparing the food. Hodgson explained, “It’s a bit of a guessing game to see if we can find the right balance. You kind of have to pick a number ahead of time where you can order product, prepare the product, cook it and have it all ready to go.”
The Dollar Dog Night has arrived at a particularly opportune time, as rising food prices make affordable family outings increasingly difficult to find. The promotion offers a way for families to enjoy a night out at a sporting event without breaking the bank.
Hodgson expressed satisfaction with the event’s impact on attendance, stating, “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.” He believes that the total of 1,000 hot dogs sold in one night may match a record at the facility.
Looking ahead, the continued success of Dollar Dog Night suggests that plans for next year’s promotion will include an increased number of hot dogs available for fans, potentially surpassing the current record. As enthusiasm grows, so too does the excitement surrounding this unique sports promotion at the University of North Dakota.
