The Flying Wienie listed for sale in Cedar Rapids

CEDAR RAPIDS — The Flying Wienie may soon be landing with a new owner.

The 26-year-old hot dog restaurant, known for its eye-catching red and yellow building complete with a propeller plane on the roof, is on the market in the Taylor neighborhood.

The property’s nearly 1,600-square-foot building, parking lot, furniture, fixtures and assets are available in a turnkey package, including the business and its financial records.

The restaurant at 103 Eighth Ave. SW is currently open and will remain open, according to the listing with Graf Real Estate. The business and restaurant property is listed for $435,000.

“This is a turnkey opportunity to own a piece of Cedar Rapids history,” the listing says. “The online store sells Flying Wienie clothing worldwide and people come from near and far to enjoy the fabulous food and get a picture in front of the building with the airplane on the roof.”

The restaurant first opened in 1999 and remains one of the few in the Corridor focused on hot dogs. Its menu includes Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian sausages, gyros and burgers.

In October 2022, a Flying Wienie employee started a fundraiser to help co-owners John Martin and his wife, Denise, stay on top of medical bills as Denise battled MAC lung disease and stage 4 COPD.

Denise received a lung transplant and subsequently became in need of a kidney transplant, according to a June 2024 update from organizer Cassandra Day. To date, the Go Fund Me listing has raised $8,104.

Comments: Features reporter Elijah Decious can be reached at (319) 398-8340 or elijah.decious@thegazette.com.

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