Starting our Catering/Vending Biz

getyourrubonbbq · 02-14-2010, 04:54 PM

Hey everybody,

A couple of opportunities have presented themselves and well, after a long period of thinking, wanting, dreaming, wishing I'm finally pulling the trigger and starting my own Catering business. I'll be building a trailer to basically handle my needs for strictly smoked meats. Nothing outrageous or to big, but big enough to anticipate growth. Going with an 8.5X20 with 6' porch that will house an FEC 300.

I'm excited, but yet nervous as well about the whole thing. I'll be able to set up on Saturdays at one location with a nice amount of pedestrian traffic flow. I was going to build a trailer later in the year for comps, but now I'll just build it for both. I'm sure I'll have questions for some of you catering pros out there and would like to thank everyone in advance for any advise you may have.

So here we go question #1, I was thinking about setting up a couple of EZ ups with 6' tables and chairs for folks to sit and eat after purchasing. Does anyone else do this.

James

FatBellyBBQ · 02-14-2010, 07:08 PM

I actually set up a 6' folding table under one half of our 10'x20' EZ-up tent with about 6 folding chairs at the Farmers markets. People seem to love it as they can sit and relax while eating and enjoy our bbq. I would say 80% or more sit down and eat at our table. I also always have extra camping chairs or folding chairs that people use when all the chairs are taken.

James good luck in you catering and vending biz, you will love it.

smokinit · 02-14-2010, 07:12 PM

Good luck bud it will get in your blood and you will love it.

HBMTN · 02-14-2010, 08:31 PM

Check with your HD, here in Virginia they won't let you put seats and tables out without having bathrooms. Not even a picnic table.

getyourrubonbbq · 02-14-2010, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HogBack Mtn Comp BBQ Team

Check with your HD, here in Virginia they won't let you put seats and tables out without having bathrooms. Not even a picnic table.

Thanks, I've still got to do some "fine tuning" with the local folks, but I'm not sure that will be an issue since the location I'm setting up in has public restrooms already.

Ford · 02-15-2010, 06:45 AM

Good idea James. The farmers market I did last year set table and chairs for us and people loved it. I plan to be able to have an eating eare under my larger umbrella depending on where I'm vending.

getyourrubonbbq · 03-07-2010, 01:54 PM

Change of plans, going with a SP SPK-500 for our smoker choice. Plans are in the final review stage and hope to have the trailer complete by the 2nd week of April. I'll post project status photos when possible.

Bbq Bubba · 03-07-2010, 05:39 PM

Great news James!

Can't wait to see the rig!

big brother smoke · 03-07-2010, 06:02 PM

Yea, you know I want to see the pics too and good luck, I am just seeing this thread!

getyourrubonbbq · 03-07-2010, 06:22 PM

Well it's going to be a combo between comp and vending. Normal setup for vending, but added a 11' powered awning for a little shade and considering exterior speakers for a little XM radio on board.

getyourrubonbbq · 03-10-2010, 09:07 AM

Sinks have been delivered and the SPK-500 is getting fresh paint. Going old school with this smoker, black exterior paint and diamond plate face with stainless doors.

Capn Kev · 03-10-2010, 09:49 AM

Sounds like you're making the same leap I am James! Congrats!

getyourrubonbbq · 03-10-2010, 02:30 PM

Yep Kev, my trailer should be finished up around the 2nd week of April. I can't wait!

02-14-2010, 07:08 PM	#2
FatBellyBBQ is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 01-02-09 Location: Georgetown, MA	I actually set up a 6' folding table under one half of our 10'x20' EZ-up tent with about 6 folding chairs at the Farmers markets. People seem to love it as they can sit and relax while eating and enjoy our bbq. I would say 80% or more sit down and eat at our table. I also always have extra camping chairs or folding chairs that people use when all the chairs are taken. James good luck in you catering and vending biz, you will love it. __________________ Kevin:--Cookshack 150, 22.5 WSM, Mobile vending truck, Red Thermopen

02-14-2010, 07:12 PM	#3
smokinit is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 03-16-07 Location: Coxsackie NY	Good luck bud it will get in your blood and you will love it. __________________ I'MMM Back💪

02-14-2010, 08:31 PM	#4
HBMTN is Blowin Smoke! Join Date: 10-16-08 Location: Virginia	Check with your HD, here in Virginia they won't let you put seats and tables out without having bathrooms. Not even a picnic table. __________________ Ole Hickory EL-EW, FEC 120, Lang 84, Custom Off Set

02-15-2010, 06:45 AM	#6
Ford is Blowin Smoke! Join Date: 04-14-07 Location: Lakeland Florida	Good idea James. The farmers market I did last year set table and chairs for us and people loved it. I plan to be able to have an eating eare under my larger umbrella depending on where I'm vending. __________________ Ford Retired competition cook. BBQ mentor.

03-07-2010, 01:54 PM	#7
getyourrubonbbq Take a breath! Join Date: 11-02-08 Location: Cordova, TN	Change of plans, going with a SP SPK-500 for our smoker choice. Plans are in the final review stage and hope to have the trailer complete by the 2nd week of April. I'll post project status photos when possible. __________________ James Stephens Extreme BBQ Trailers Cordova, TN. [URL="http://www.extremebbqtrailers.com"]www.extremebbqtrailers.com[/URL]

02-14-2010, 04:54 PM	#1
getyourrubonbbq Take a breath! Join Date: 11-02-08 Location: Cordova, TN	Starting our Catering/Vending Biz Hey everybody, A couple of opportunities have presented themselves and well, after a long period of thinking, wanting, dreaming, wishing I'm finally pulling the trigger and starting my own Catering business. I'll be building a trailer to basically handle my needs for strictly smoked meats. Nothing outrageous or to big, but big enough to anticipate growth. Going with an 8.5X20 with 6' porch that will house an FEC 300. I'm excited, but yet nervous as well about the whole thing. I'll be able to set up on Saturdays at one location with a nice amount of pedestrian traffic flow. I was going to build a trailer later in the year for comps, but now I'll just build it for both. I'm sure I'll have questions for some of you catering pros out there and would like to thank everyone in advance for any advise you may have. So here we go question #1, I was thinking about setting up a couple of EZ ups with 6' tables and chairs for folks to sit and eat after purchasing. Does anyone else do this. James __________________ James Stephens Extreme BBQ Trailers Cordova, TN. [URL="http://www.extremebbqtrailers.com"]www.extremebbqtrailers.com[/URL]

03-07-2010, 05:39 PM	#8
Bbq Bubba somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 05-03-07 Location: New Baltimore, Mi.	Great news James! Can't wait to see the rig! __________________ Owner of Bubba's BBQ & Catering L.L.C. Beer Snob I cook the #bestbrisketnorthoftexas. Get over it. #detroitporkmafia BBQ Person of the Year 2013

03-07-2010, 06:02 PM	#9
big brother smoke somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 05-03-06 Location: Ventura, CA	Yea, you know I want to see the pics too and good luck, I am just seeing this thread! __________________ Peace and Smoke, BBS Powered by the West Coast Offense: Big Poppa Smokers and Simply Marvelous BBQ - "Walk with Us" My weapons: Humphrey's Smokers

03-07-2010, 06:22 PM	#10
getyourrubonbbq Take a breath! Join Date: 11-02-08 Location: Cordova, TN	Well it's going to be a combo between comp and vending. Normal setup for vending, but added a 11' powered awning for a little shade and considering exterior speakers for a little XM radio on board. __________________ James Stephens Extreme BBQ Trailers Cordova, TN. [URL="http://www.extremebbqtrailers.com"]www.extremebbqtrailers.com[/URL]

03-10-2010, 09:07 AM	#11
getyourrubonbbq Take a breath! Join Date: 11-02-08 Location: Cordova, TN	Sinks have been delivered and the SPK-500 is getting fresh paint. Going old school with this smoker, black exterior paint and diamond plate face with stainless doors. __________________ James Stephens Extreme BBQ Trailers Cordova, TN. [URL="http://www.extremebbqtrailers.com"]www.extremebbqtrailers.com[/URL]

03-10-2010, 09:49 AM	#12
Capn Kev is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 12-08-09 Location: Littleton, CO	Sounds like you're making the same leap I am James! Congrats! __________________ [SIZE=2]Kevin [B]Swinestone Cowboys BBQ Team[/B] FEC-100, REC TEC Grill, WSM 22.5", UDS, KCBS CBJ #54829 [/SIZE]

03-10-2010, 02:30 PM	#13
getyourrubonbbq Take a breath! Join Date: 11-02-08 Location: Cordova, TN	Yep Kev, my trailer should be finished up around the 2nd week of April. I can't wait! __________________ James Stephens Extreme BBQ Trailers Cordova, TN. [URL="http://www.extremebbqtrailers.com"]www.extremebbqtrailers.com[/URL]

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