Someone tried to shut down a Minneapolis teen’s hot dog stand, but the city gave him a permit instead

When complaints came in about a 13-year-old boy running a hot dog stand in front of his home in Minneapolis, officials had a decision to make. They could shut him down, or they could help him figure it out, and they chose to do the latter. Jaequan Faulkner had been running Mr. Faulkner’s Old Fashioned Hot Dogs during his school breaks since 2016, selling hot dogs, chips, and sodas. With the help of his uncle and cousin, he started out small, but once a local news station featured his story, it got attention, but not all of it was supportive. Someone reported the stand to the Minneapolis Health Department, according to ABC News.

Instead of closing him down, city workers contacted the Northside Economic Opportunity Network (NEON), a group that supports small businesses in the area, and worked together to make sure he could keep operating legally and safely. Health inspectors stepped in to guide him, helping Faulkner secure a 10-day permit, which cost $87, and paid for it themselves. They also gave him a thermometer, a handwashing station, and basic food safety training. The teenager met with Ryan Krick, the city’s supervisor of health inspections, whom he later described as "one of the nicest city members" he’d ever met.

From there, the community stepped up. The local police department agreed to sponsor his next 10-day permit so he could set up shop outside their precinct. After that, the Minneapolis Urban League offered to sponsor the stand, followed by a local church. With each permit extension, he was able to stay in business through the summer. This kind of community support is not just helpful but also linked to improved mental health, reduced stress, and increased confidence. A 2024 study published in the Journal of Youth Development found that youth who feel backed by their local community are more likely to persist through challenges and report higher levels of well-being.

Faulkner kept things the same except for removing the diced tomatoes because they needed to be refrigerated properly and could pose a health risk. "The permit helps me let other people know that I'm officially ready to take care of business," he said. Faulkner also shared what pushed him to keep going when complaints came in. "I don't want to stop," Faulkner said. "It makes me feel really proud that people know what I'm doing." His uncle played a big role in that. "One of the things that happened was I went on the Steve Harvey Show," Faulkner said. The attention reminded him why it mattered to continue. Daniel Huff, the environmental health director at the Minneapolis Health Department, explained, "We wanted to be able to work with him. We wanted him to do it safely, according to the city code and the health code. Running a business is more than just getting your permit."

"We wanted to provide him with that support if he wanted to be a businessman," he added. The decision to help instead of halt has received praise across the country, with Huff saying they’ve gotten emails from people who appreciated the city’s response. For health inspectors — who often deliver bad news — this was a welcome change. "It was a fun way for them to engage in the community and support Jaequan," Huff said. Now, Faulkner's stand is not only serving up hot dogs but also offering something that’s harder to teach — a lesson in perseverance, responsibility, and community support. "I want to inspire other young teens, other than those who live in Minneapolis," he told KARE11.