Key Takeaways
- The first 1,000 guests at Lincoln Park received a free Glizzy Street bacon-wrapped hot dog and a drink during the Wednesday celebration.
- Teen founders Chazz and Chaze Clemons grew the business from a $400 investment into a fast-scaling local brand.
- Raising Cane’s founder Todd Graves supported the twins’ expansion and anniversary event.
Black teenage entrepreneurs Chazz and Chaze Clemons celebrated the first anniversary of Glizzy Street by giving back to the Long Beach community that helped turn their small hot dog cart into a growing business.
The 16-year-old twin brothers hosted a free National Hot Dog Day celebration on Wednesday (July 15) at Lincoln Park in Downtown Long Beach. Organized alongside Raising Cane’s and First District Councilwoman Mary Zendejas, the event offered the first 1,000 guests a Glizzy Street bacon-wrapped hot dog and either lemonade or iced tea from the restaurant chain. A live DJ, yard games, and family activities were also included.
Chazz and Chaze launched the Black-owned, family-operated brand after saving $400 from working weekends at their family’s gas station. The Cali natives then purchased a cart, created a budget, and learned how to prepare the bacon-wrapped hot dogs.
“We bought one of those little red carts, we ran the numbers, we said, ‘$5 is a good price for it,’” the twins explained during the event. “So, we just did it, we used social media to our advantage, and it blew up.”
Their first promotional video went viral shortly after the stand opened, helping Glizzy Street reportedly grow from 20 hot dogs sold on its first day to approximately 150 prepared daily by the beginning of July 2025.
The brothers said their interest in entrepreneurship was also shaped by their family. “Our dad actually owns a gas station. We used to work there every single week,” they recalled. One of the lessons they carried into Glizzy Street was simple: “Everything matters.”
Chazz and Chaze reflect on Todd Graves’ support of Glizzy Street
Raising Cane’s founder Todd Graves previously supported Glizzy Street by helping the brothers add another cart to their operation. The company later helped fund the anniversary celebration as Chazz and Chaze continued learning how to grow the business while maintaining its ties to Long Beach.
“We learned a lot. He gave us some good advice the last time we met,” the brothers stated. “We didn’t get to talk as much, but we’d love to talk some more.” Notably, they were able to get on a video call with Graves in the midst of the celebration.
They also acknowledged what it meant to receive support from the founder of a national restaurant brand. “We’re very grateful,” Chazz and Chaze said. The twins added that their next goals include expanding their team, taking the business across California, and eventually developing the brand nationwide.