Custom hot sauce idea

[ifeellikeatourist]

Hey, I was talking to a friend the other day and he was telling me about a business idea that he would really like to try out, and I just wanted to see what everyone here thought about it.

Basically, he would like to start a website where you can design your own custom made hot sauce. People spend tons of money on specialty hot sauces, and there are tons of places online where you can pay an arm and a leg just to get your own custom label on some generic hot sauce, but nobody offers the ability to design and custom order your own. People do it with vans and converse shoes, and even with m&ms, so why not hot sauce, right? People love hot sauce!

Obviously making custom hot sauce in small batches is not cost effective, but I think the hot sauce fanatics out there who aren't ambitious enough to make their own would be willing to pay the extra price for it. The website would have some sort of cool interface where you could pick a red or green base sauce and then add whatever you want to tweak it from a list of ingredients. The tweak Ingredients would be priced individually somehow based on the cost of the ingredient and the amount that you add. You could then design your own label, probably based on some sort of template, or you could submit your own art or whatever, and that would be an additional charge based on whether you wanted full color or just b&w. That's the basic idea....custom sauce and custom labels, designed by you, made by us, and if you end up really liking your concoction, you could re-order it for a discounted price, and maybe an additional discount for bulk orders.

Sound like people would go for it? Would you? Any suggestions? Just looking to get some feedback as I know that everyone here likes food!

[jfrey]

I think people would go for it. I don't know that it would make any significant money though. Sounds cool though. If I had disposable income I would buy some.

[Teej212]

perfect hot sauce has already been invented



seriously though, its a cool idea.

[Bellyheart]

Honestly, anything that is custom is a good idea. Go for it.

[sonidero]

I like you're gumption, but unless people are real up on they spices it could just turn into making a lot of toxic goo... It reminds me of the Seinfeld episode where Kramer wanted to make a bake your own pizza restaurant... Think about the cost of having to set up a food manufacturing facility, even in your own house... I'm sure the FDA would need to be involved and think about how many people nowadays are wanting gluten free this and organic that... People could choose some stuff to mix together and make them selves sick... Keep thinking up good ideas and it'll come to you... Not raining here just throwing stuff out there... I think big picture...

[jfrey]

^Good point.

Maybe the ingredients should be specific amounts they can choose from, and also choosing one ingredient opens up or closes other options based on how you know the ingredients work together.

[elbandito]

Frank's is for pussies. That's my Grandmother's hot sauce.

[Jero]

Frank's is for pussies. That's my Grandmother's hot sauce.

It's pretty bland. We have it at my store for certain sandwiches, but I usually go get stuff from the wing place next door.

[jfrey]

Frank's is for pussies. That's my Grandmother's hot sauce.

It's good on eggs.

[StudioShutIn]

Frank's is for pussies.

Makes their ad campaign all the more poignant, don't it?

..... .... ugh..why did I go there?

[futuresailors]

Mmm...futuresailors approves this idea.

But you definitely can't let people have complete control.

Basically,
Give them options for red, green or yellow (cuz yellow's the fuckin tits)
Then a strong or weak vinegar or water base
Garlic and salt are staples, so don't even give them the option to control those. Find the right balance for each of the bases and leave it.
Then just give a couple other pepper options that they can add for some extra flavor. And maybe some fruit to get all fancy. Fuckin tamarinds are omnomnom.

IMHO the best hot sauces are simple, so keep the options simple.

[nbabmf]

Better yet, don't give people any control at all. Just make a few really awesome recipes.

[unownunown]

^Good point.

Maybe the ingredients should be specific amounts they can choose from, and also choosing one ingredient opens up or closes other options based on how you know the ingredients work together.

this is a good idea. kinda like how when you order pizza online, it gives you the option of normal, less, or more. i don't think it should open or close up options, but rather suggest spices that work well with the ingredients chosen instead. that way if someone gets some shitty hotsauce you can't say you didn't warn 'em

[devnulljp]

Better yet, don't give people any control at all. Just make a few really awesome recipes.

...and tell them they're making choices.

Although all that crap you guys use pales into insignificance beside proper Thai Nam Prik.