‘It’s a unique experience’; Wienermobile drivers talk about their work during a stop in Central IL

Wienermobile Makes Smiles for Miles in IllinoisWienermobile Makes Smiles for Miles in Illinois The iconic Wienermobile, a symbol of Oscar Mayer, recently embarked on a journey through Central Illinois, bringing smiles and excitement wherever it went. Six Wienermobiles travel an estimated 20,000 miles annually, visiting events across the country. This year, “Our Dog” graced Illinois and the Midwest with its presence. The drivers of the Wienermobile, known as “Hot Doggers,” are graduate students in communications and journalism. Maddie and Pip, the Hot Doggers behind “Our Dog,” shared their personal connections to the Wienermobile and their enthusiasm for the role. At events, the Wienermobile attracts attention from people of all ages. Maddie and Pip find joy in the smiles they bring to people’s faces, whether it’s a child’s wide-eyed wonder or an elderly person recalling childhood memories. They also value the “I remember when” moments, when older folks share their nostalgic experiences with the Wienermobile. This continuity, from one generation to the next, highlights the Wienermobile’s enduring presence in American culture. Oscar Mayer seeks Hot Doggers with a thirst for adventure and a passion for spreading joy. Maddie, Pip, and their colleagues are now traveling north to St. Cloud, Minnesota, continuing their mission to create unforgettable experiences for all those they encounter.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — It’s one of the most famous vehicles in the U.S. and an icon of Oscar Mayer. And this past week it made a few stops in Central Illinois.

The Wienermobile has been cruising the hot dog highways of America for decades, driving “smiling for miles” across the country. In its modern incarnation, there are actually six of these vehicles, each traveling an estimated 20,000 miles in a year as they visit local events.

This year is the Wienermobile Our dog — as shown on the state-issued license plate — drives around Illinois and other Midwestern states. After visiting Evansville, Ind., Our dog drove into the Champaign area, visited Monticello on Saturday and the Ford County Fair on Thursday. In between these performances, Our dog also stopped by the WCIA studio.

The drivers — “Mustard” Maddie and “Pickle” Pip — are known as “Hot Doggers.” Hot Doggers are recruited from graduate students studying communications and journalism, but that is not an exclusive criterion. Anyone can apply to become a Hot Dogger for a year.

“It’s such a cool role and cool responsibility as you travel all over the US,” Pip said. “You just get to do these really cool things. It’s a unique experience.”

“When else can you travel across the country in a 27-foot hot dog on wheels?” Maddie added.

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Both Maddie and Pip have personal connections and experiences with the Wienermobile, which made them eager to apply for the job.

“I actually worked in the corporate environment for two years, and I loved Oscar Mayer and I saw the Wienermobile when I was hiking in Montana one time,” Pip said. “I was looking for a job, found it online and had to apply.”

Maddie graduated from the University of Missouri, where Oscar Mayer regularly recruits Hot Doggers from the university’s School of Journalism. There is at least one Hot Dogger from every Mizzou class dating back to the 1990s, and one of those first Mizzou Hot Doggers is a family friend of Maddie’s

“She said something like, ‘It’s the best job I’ve ever had. It’s so much fun. You should apply,’” Maddie said. “Talking to her and hearing about all the memories she made, I knew I wanted to do it.”

Both applied and were interviewed in the spring. They said over 7,000 people applied, but only 12 got the job. Maddie and Pip said they were honored to have been selected.

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The lucky 12 then went to “Hot Dog High” in Wisconsin where they learned how to drive the Wienermobile before traveling across the country. In addition to meeting each other, they also met the Hot Doggers who ended their time in the Wienermobiles.

That was in early June and since then Maddie, Pip and their Hot Doggers colleagues have been going from city to city in their designated regions of the country.

What they enjoy most about their work is the smiles and waving people they meet along the way.

“People know what it is, wherever you go,” Maddie said. “Just driving around and having people smile and wave and honk, it’s a really fun time.”

Even simple tasks like filling up with gas can turn into an impromptu engagement event and photo shoot, Maddie and Pip said.

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What they also like about their job is their involvement with the elderly and what they call ‘I remember when’ moments.

“We have so many people who come to the Wienermobile and say, ‘I remember seeing it as a kid and I was given one, the Wiener whistle,’” Maddie said. “It’s really special to hear the stories of people who see it and are now in their 70s and 80s and remember seeing it as a kid and how enduring the Wienermobile has been in their lives.”

“It’s also nice to see the new generation coming up, because little kids are like, ‘What is this thing?’ Pip added: “It’s really cool that they get to have the same cool memories as their parents.”

In addition to the focus on journalism and communications graduates, there are two other things Oscar Mayer looks for in their Hot Doggers: a thirst for adventure and a desire to spread smiles and excitement.

Now that their stops in Central Illinois are complete, Maddie, Pip and Our dog are headed north to St. Cloud, Minn.