What is your minimum and maximum amount of people you will cater

[big brother smoke]

My minimum is 50 local and 75 over 50 miles. My maximum realistically is 400. However, I believe I can do any size given time to plan, organize and rent equipment!

[NotleyQue]

My minimum is $250.00 (about 15 people)
I couldnt take a job over 75 people right now.

[Bbq Bubba]

Originally Posted by big brother smoke

My minimum is 50 local and 75 over 50 miles. My maximum realistically is 400. However, I believe I can do any size given time to plan, organize and rent equipment!

About the same here, but will do drop offs for smaller parties.
Have done 300 easily with help.
With proper planning, i guess the sky's the limit!

[Marsha]

50 people is our minimum, too. The most we have cooked for so far is 300+, but we could do more with planning, etc., as mentioned above. We are less likely to travel very far these days, with the price of gasoline.

[yelonutz]

I cooked for 200 today. Too many. Gator pit was too crowded and smoke, heat did not circulate properly. 45 racks of St. Louis ribs and 50 lbs chicken. They loved it, I know it could have been much better! Less next time, pride steps in. If you don't have quality, you are no better than Chili's or Applebees.

NUTZ

[Bigmista]

I think 20 is the minimum. I will however cook a brisket for someone or a half pan of pork. Usually for friends.

[smokinit]

25 for me if it is local and I can do 400 plus without help and much larger with another bbq caterer near me. We have teamed up before works good.

[jbrink01]

Minimum - 1. Maximum - 1200 (so far).
Now let me explain the "1" comment. There is a local banker, real estate mogul, private jet owner (you get the idea) who like my ribs. We cater his annual bank party, private parties, etc.

He called my cell a couple years ago and told me he was having a poker party and wanted BBQ - a variety with sides and desserts. I asked how many, he said 12. I said "Mr. Eckelkamp, pulling everything together and firing up the pit for 12 is sure going to expensive per person." He repsonded by saying "I didn't ask how much, I told you what I wanted."

I actually gave him very reasonable pricing and and that's what locked us in to his bank parties, which pay very well.

Always remember that there are 2 ways to say no, and the best way is to price it so that if youi get, no matter how small, it makes money.

[jminion]

Our min is 50 but will do less with surcharge, Max a couple thousand.
Been busy this year, still recieving request and the Holiday menu is online.
Should be taking delivery on CTO today.

[TOPS BBQ]

Min. is 50, but if a client is willing to pay, I'll cook for less. My max is 300, but I know of cooks with rigs that would come out to help, if a party was larger.

[ssbbqguy]

jbrink01 hit it right on the head. I have customers that come for the quality, not the price. They know where to get mediocre que, that's why they call us. Steve

[chinesebob]

I do a lot of brisket and pork shoulders for people. I try to send out a newsletter once a month letting people know about it. Around football or graduation time that can amount to anywhere from 5 to 22 orders of individual pieces of meat. Minimum "party" is 300.00. I don't care the number of people. 2 - 3 half pans of sides, 2 half pans of meat, store bought sauce. Drop off only. From there sky's the limit but have done up to 200 people.

[Marsha]

Now that you all mention it, we will do smaller events for our best customers and friends and family. And every year we smoke up hams and turkeys for various customers for the holidays.

I also agree with the idea of quoting a high price if it is an event you are not sure about. We quoted high for a wedding reception we are about to do and the bride didn't blink. Of course it helped us that her first caterer pretty much abandoned her just a couple months before the wedding. Fortunately she has been great to work with so far and keeps thanking us for helping her out.

[Jacked UP BBQ]

I will cook for one person for the right price. Max is 500 for now.