He pockets about 10 cents profit on each by shopping carefully for sales. He also has no mortgage and no hired help. And he keeps things simple. He does nothing to the beef other than cook it, not even adding salt and pepper. It's a lot more trouble.
Cheese is a dime extra.
No lettuce or tomato for the burgers. No chili on the dogs. Others buy regular burgers two, four or several dozen at a time. Red Lee readies a fresh batch of burgers on the grill. She runs a beauty salon in the next room, sandwiching hamburger duty between hair appointments.