selling bbq at football games, fairs, etc.?

[Brandonnash]

Hey guys, been a while since I've been on the forum, but haven't stopped the cooking a bit.

Me and some friends are going to start trying to sell bbq and other items at fairs and football games just as a weekend thing for extra cash. Was wondering if anyone can give me help with good menu items to add on and stuff we're obviously going to need, pretty much the whole run down.

Thinking of doing pulled pork for sandwiches and plate dinners. Sides of baked beans, cole slaw, pickle wedges and maybe potato salad. Might also do burgers and hot dogs. Just wanting to see what kind of money people have made doing this before and what kind of costs are involved. I have a very general idea and I'm going to take a trip over to Sam's this weekend to do a little more cost investigation. Thanks for any help.

 

[Papa Hogg]

First step from what I've read here would be to go visit your local Health Department & inquire about a vending license & what you need to do to get it. Then contact your Insurance company tell them your plans & get insurace, I think I've read here that you should get at least $500,000 coverage.

I'm sure others will chime in soon...good luck, one day I want to try this as well. Keep us posted!

 

[parrothead]

Yes, first stop is at the local health department. They will be able to tell you all of the stuff you need to do it right and proper. While there, ask them when there will be the next food service class. You will need this sanitation certificate as well. If you want to split up with your buddies and do more than one place at a time, you will all need one, but it is a good idea for all involved to go through it anyway.

Do all of this before even thinking of trying to figure mark up on a brisket or butt.

It will probably involve an inspected vending rig as well. You can buy one set up or get a gutted trailor and install the sinks, etc. on your own for the cheaper route.

 

[Brandonnash]

I know it varies, but typically what would be an average cost for insurance and all other various licenses?

As far as a vending rig, right now at least for the football games, the rig will be set up in a frat house's parking lot. We'll have access closely for sinks and whatever else needed in there. Looks like we'll have a decent size smoker on a trailer.

I want to have everything set up on paper before we try to light the first bit of wood on fire. Quantities of each food item with their cost per unit and total cost, other items such as napkins, plastic silverware, plates, and other things like that. That's what we're looking at now.

 

[Papa Hogg]

I know it varies, but typically what would be an average cost for insurance and all other various licenses?

Small compared to losing everything you own if some gets sick & comes after you in this litigious society...

 

[Brandonnash]

Small compared to losing everything you own if some gets sick & comes after you in this litigious society...

Yeah, I'm well aware of the possibility of losing everything. I work in a 911 center. I'm faced with that possibility every day.

Do you have any actual figures though. I know I need to call and/or go down the the health department, but just want to have an idea of this in my head before we try to get anything going at all. Want to have stuff down on paper so we can say how much it will cost us to get all this going.

 

[Pork Chop]

Cost for all the things you asked about are area specific. In other words you'll have to make some phone calls. I would not go for anything less than 1M insurance protection (liability).
Don't give up you just have to try another channel.
Now as far as menus,portions,cooking and all that just ask away.

 

[parrothead]

It is cheap to feed people. Don't even worry about that. As long as you are set up to not have any waste you can turn a good profit selling food. The one time license fees aren't bad. My sanitation cert was probably 250 or so and it lasts for 5 years. Don't know if they will allow sinks to be inside or not. You may need to have some sinks out where the food is. Setting up the proper equipment will be a far larger expense than insurance and licensing. That is why you need to go to the health department first. They may require something, they may not. I would lean toward them requiring something.

But, again, don't worry about the price of the food. It is cheap to feed people. If you actually have the proper facilities, which would also include proper refridgeration at home and such, (think walk in cooler that can be turned on when needed and turned off when not), you can actually get hooked up with a distributor in the area and save even more money with stuff delivered right to your door.

PM me and I can give you some pricing on things that I get from my distributors. May or may not compare to your area, but you may be able to see the difference. On the same note, when you get around to pricing food, don't be afraid to ring a butcher and ask for a case price. If they don't budge, then go to the next butcher or grocery store.

 

[Brandonnash]

As far as butchers go, they are few and far between in my area. I'll need to check with some grocery stores to see if they can do 100 + lbs of assorted foods and meats.

The bits about sinks and refrigeration does bring up some cause for concern. We ABSOLUTELY can't afford to get a full concession trailer right now. They are too expensive for what we're wanting to do. We're just wanting to make a few hundred extra dollars in a weekend. Like I said we have a small to medium size pull behind smoker and a 18 foot car hauler flatbed trailer for all the extras to be hauled around on.

What are the food items in general that have a good profit margin? I kind of know about pulled pork and some about hot dogs, but sides I've got little experience doing side for several hundred people.

 

[Rick's Tropical Delight]

just don't say "fatties for sale" here or you will invoke the wrath of the health department police, the license bureau, and several other very important offices throughout the country! :biggrin:

oh... and a couple rocket scientists too

 

[Brandonnash]

alright, let me write this down......no.....fatties.....for.....sale got it. how about farkin' gud food?

 

[smokeypig]

What are the food items in general that have a good profit margin? I kind of know about pulled pork and some about hot dogs, but sides I've got little experience doing side for several hundred people.

1. you gotta have brunswick stew. its easy to make and adjust for specific numbers. I've adjusted my recipe with great success many times. My original recipe makes enough for about 10-12 folks. I've adjusted it up several times - mainly by taste, mind you - with the last time making enough for about 65-70 people.
2. bread. and lots of it. need it to sop up the stew and pulled pork juices and sauce. french bread, texas toast, corn bread (not the sweet stuff, nor with the cheese - peppers may be ok, but not the other stuff), heck, even plain old sunbeam or colonial white bread will do.
3. beans. personally i hate them things. but folks go for it. canned or otherwise homemade.
4. coleslaw
5. slices onion (preferably vidalias, cause they're just that dang good) and pickle chips (kosher dill, of course) - these two should be freebies. build in to your margin

 

[Rick's Tropical Delight]

alright, let me write this down......no.....fatties.....for.....sale got it. how about farkin' gud food?

i've never done what you are asking about, but i would buy a farkin fattie slice on a biscuit.

i was referring to a mistake i made on here when i first enlisted.

 

[Brandonnash]

1. you gotta have brunswick stew. its easy to make and adjust for specific numbers. I've adjusted my recipe with great success many times. My original recipe makes enough for about 10-12 folks. I've adjusted it up several times - mainly by taste, mind you - with the last time making enough for about 65-70 people.
2. bread. and lots of it. need it to sop up the stew and pulled pork juices and sauce. french bread, texas toast, corn bread (not the sweet stuff, nor with the cheese - peppers may be ok, but not the other stuff), heck, even plain old sunbeam or colonial white bread will do.
3. beans. personally i hate them things. but folks go for it. canned or otherwise homemade.
4. coleslaw
5. slices onion (preferably vidalias, cause they're just that dang good) and pickle chips (kosher dill, of course) - these two should be freebies. build in to your margin

I like the brunswick stew idea. Would be great for cold late fall football games. Maybe not so much in the summer.

Keep the ideas coming. I'm eating it up.

 

[Brandonnash]

What does everyone think a good amount of pork butt to use would be the first time out? I'm thinking around 100 lbs. I would be excited if we could sell all that out, but a piece of me would be upset if we did run out and still had people wanting more. Maybe 150??

 

[smokeypig]

What does everyone think a good amount of pork butt to use would be the first time out? I'm thinking around 100 lbs. I would be excited if we could sell all that out, but a piece of me would be upset if we did run out and still had people wanting more. Maybe 150??

Are you talking about college football games? Or the Titans (to be sold in the parking lot, of course)? Or high school?

Obviously the larger the crowd, the more you need. If its just a high school crowd, 100 lbs RAW is more than adequate, I would think. I've been told that a good rule of thumb is between 1/3 and 1/2 lb per serving, uncooked, is about normal. You could adjust from there.

 

[parrothead]

The bits about sinks and refrigeration does bring up some cause for concern. We ABSOLUTELY can't afford to get a full concession trailer right now. They are too expensive for what we're wanting to do. We're just wanting to make a few hundred extra dollars in a weekend. Like I said we have a small to medium size pull behind smoker and a 18 foot car hauler flatbed trailer for all the extras to be hauled around on.

What are the food items in general that have a good profit margin? I kind of know about pulled pork and some about hot dogs, but sides I've got little experience doing side for several hundred people.

That is why you need to talk to the health department first before worrying about the cost of food. If they say that you need that stuff, and don't get it, then there is no way they will give you licenses or sell you insurance.

If you can't afford to do it right like everyone else does it, then don't do it.

 

[bbqjoe]

Well just for starters..........
What is your budget for set up?
If you think you only need a few hundred bucks, you're fooling yourself.
For an on site set up, you will need refrigeration, three compartment sinks, hand washing sink, fresh water and tank as well as gray water tank.

All equipment will have to be NSF certified. No Suzy homemaker stuff!
You will then need mountains of stainless steel, possibly even a steam table to hold prepared food, meat, beans etc, and maybe even a cold table to hold salads.
If you again think you will just set a smoker in a parking lot and sell food, you are again mistaken.

Call around to used restaurant supply warehouses and get some prices.

But before you even think about that stuff, do as the Parrot says and contact your health dept!!!!!!!

Once you come up with a figure you think will cover it all, TRIPLE IT!

Good luck!

 

[Papa Tom]

What Joe says. There is a reason there aren't more people doing what you are proposing. Before you spend a lot of time on menu go do the legal stuff first.
Vending license
Health permit
Tax license
Local codes
People do this but it generally has to be a fairly large operation to justify the costs.
Something else to consider, What to do with all the food in the event of rain. Weather changes what people buy so put flexibility into your business plan.
Good luck.

 

[grillfella]

Forget insurance just do it. (everyone with there hand out) Fark em