1st try at vending

grillfella · 08-08-2009, 12:24 AM

Well boys and girls, I finally did it I was asked to vend a car show and classic rock mini concert for the City Of Cerritos. I was a little hesitant at first but got some good advice from C Rocke (Thanks Chris)

We did tri tip sandwiches, chips and lemonade. We had a 3hr window to sell, I was guaranteed 40 combos which I sold for $7 bucks each that the city paid for in advance for city officials to eat. We sold the sandwich alone for $5 Our only competition was senior citizens selling nachos, hot dogs, and candy. We got many compliments and sold everything out, the lemonade was the first thing to go and only went through 2 boxes of 50 ct chips. People were buying sandwiches on there way out after the concert for there lunch the next day. We were asked to come back at the end of the month for another one. I really enjoyed interacting with the crowd and the added exposure. Any advice for next time would be appreciated

Bushwacker · 08-08-2009, 01:22 AM

Well Glad to hear that getting your feet wet and doing a good amount of business was a good thing. As long as you serve good food, you will get return customers on the next one. Years ago I worked for a traveling carnival in New England. The best advice I can give you is put out a good product and you will do good. And appearance makes a difference also. Keep it clean and neat. that helps a lot. and don't scrimp on your food. Good luck on your next one.

grillfella · 08-08-2009, 02:55 AM

Thanks bushwacker this next time i dont have 40 sandwiches paid for hope I estemate right for the next one

MrsMista · 08-09-2009, 08:57 AM

Vending is definitely a lot of fun and it sounds like you had a great time. Estimating how much food to bring is especially difficult with BBQ. You can't just run out and buy some more meat and "throw it on" like you do with burgers and hot dogs. And you want to run out of food but not too early. And you never know which of your items will sell on which day.

WE have days where everyone wants ribs. The next day it might be pulled pork. THe next day brisket. You have to be prepared for runs like that on all of your meat and there is no way to guess which one it will be.

Damn. I didn't help at all. Hmmm...the best I can tell you is find out what kind of crowd they are expecting and aim to feed at least 10% of them unless you are the only vendor.

Hope that helps.

Bigmista · 08-09-2009, 08:58 AM

Whoops! Posting in drag again...

Ron_L · 08-09-2009, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigmista

Whoops! Posting in drag again...

Well... You are from California!

blues_n_cues · 08-09-2009, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrsMista

Vending is definitely a lot of fun and it sounds like you had a great time. Estimating how much food to bring is especially difficult with BBQ. You can't just run out and buy some more meat and "throw it on" like you do with burgers and hot dogs. And you want to run out of food but not too early. And you never know which of your items will sell on which day.

WE have days where everyone wants ribs. The next day it might be pulled pork. THe next day brisket. You have to be prepared for runs like that on all of your meat and there is no way to guess which one it will be.

Damn. I didn't help at all. Hmmm...the best I can tell you is find out what kind of crowd they are expecting and aim to feed at least 10% of them unless you are the only vendor.

Hope that helps.

same w/ us...
i found that if something is going slow or not @ all i'll run a special for an hour. say a brisket plate (w/2 sides,pickle,onion slices,bread,& 16 oz. tea,lemonade, or bottled water)regularly $8.00 for $5.00.
or a sammie w/ fries for $3.50-regularly $5.00

grillfella · 08-09-2009, 04:39 PM

I was thinking of selling New Mexico chile beans. not sure how to price it though. Any suggestions Big Mista and Mrs mista

big brother smoke · 08-09-2009, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron_L

Well... You are from California!

You farker! Damn, if you ain't telling the truth though!

Bigmista · 08-10-2009, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grillfella

I was thinking of selling New Mexico chile beans. not sure how to price it though. Any suggestions Big Mista and Mrs mista

If the beans have meat in them, I say $5 for an 8oz. bowl. If they are meatless, then charge $3.

Bbq Bubba · 08-10-2009, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grillfella

Any advice for next time would be appreciated

Take pics.

grillfella · 08-10-2009, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigmista

If the beans have meat in them, I say $5 for an 8oz. bowl. If they are meatless, then charge $3.

I was thinking meat thats a good price

08-08-2009, 12:24 AM	#1
grillfella is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 02-13-07 Location: Best BBQ in south whittier los angeles Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	1st try at vending Well boys and girls, I finally did it I was asked to vend a car show and classic rock mini concert for the City Of Cerritos. I was a little hesitant at first but got some good advice from C Rocke (Thanks Chris) We did tri tip sandwiches, chips and lemonade. We had a 3hr window to sell, I was guaranteed 40 combos which I sold for $7 bucks each that the city paid for in advance for city officials to eat. We sold the sandwich alone for $5 Our only competition was senior citizens selling nachos, hot dogs, and candy. We got many compliments and sold everything out, the lemonade was the first thing to go and only went through 2 boxes of 50 ct chips. People were buying sandwiches on there way out after the concert for there lunch the next day. We were asked to come back at the end of the month for another one. I really enjoyed interacting with the crowd and the added exposure. Any advice for next time would be appreciated

08-08-2009, 01:22 AM	#2
Bushwacker is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 07-13-09 Location: Cape Coma, Fl. Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Well Glad to hear that getting your feet wet and doing a good amount of business was a good thing. As long as you serve good food, you will get return customers on the next one. Years ago I worked for a traveling carnival in New England. The best advice I can give you is put out a good product and you will do good. And appearance makes a difference also. Keep it clean and neat. that helps a lot. and don't scrimp on your food. Good luck on your next one. __________________ Charm-Glo Gasser, Generic Grill, Smoker conversion, State Park Charcoal Grill. UDS (Under Construction)

08-09-2009, 08:58 AM	#5
Bigmista somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 05-24-04 Location: Long Beach, CA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Whoops! Posting in drag again... __________________ Wait! Bigmista wrote a cookbook? Exodus 29:18 Then burn the entire ram on the altar. It is a burnt offering to the LORD, a pleasing aroma, a food offering presented to the LORD. God loves BBQ! Bigmista Custom Spicewine Trailer - Olivia J. PIMA Large and Medium Spicewines Weber Ranch Kettle - E.T. Remembering Scott

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08-08-2009, 02:55 AM	#3
grillfella is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 02-13-07 Location: Best BBQ in south whittier los angeles Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Thanks bushwacker this next time i dont have 40 sandwiches paid for hope I estemate right for the next one

08-09-2009, 08:57 AM	#4
MrsMista Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 07-19-04 Location: Long Beach, CA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Vending is definitely a lot of fun and it sounds like you had a great time. Estimating how much food to bring is especially difficult with BBQ. You can't just run out and buy some more meat and "throw it on" like you do with burgers and hot dogs. And you want to run out of food but not too early. And you never know which of your items will sell on which day. WE have days where everyone wants ribs. The next day it might be pulled pork. THe next day brisket. You have to be prepared for runs like that on all of your meat and there is no way to guess which one it will be. Damn. I didn't help at all. Hmmm...the best I can tell you is find out what kind of crowd they are expecting and aim to feed at least 10% of them unless you are the only vendor. Hope that helps.

08-09-2009, 04:39 PM	#8
grillfella is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 02-13-07 Location: Best BBQ in south whittier los angeles Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I was thinking of selling New Mexico chile beans. not sure how to price it though. Any suggestions Big Mista and Mrs mista