BigDaveBBQ
Knows what a fatty is.
I am just about 30 days out from getting my trailer and 60 days out from hitting the pavement and wheels rolling. All my business licenses have been acquired, Cook for Hire statement, Catering permit, and just waiting on the trailer for a county inspection to get my Limited MFF permit.
My wife has been working on my website and I figured it was time to see what others are charging in my area......and personally I was surprised. I really had never given it any mind because I have done my own food costs and I always went with what I was comfortable with based on the profit. I would be curious to see what your honest opinions are. I have cooked for friends parties as a "gift", I have done large cooks and small cooks for the past 7 years, so I know all the work that goes into it. However I also know the food cost and overhead going LEGAL. Tell me what I am missing here?
I quoted 3 places, all of them are the same "part time" weekend BBQ caterers in the area. They do not cook legally at a commissary even though they may have a commissary contract with the county. None of them are full-time restaurants or food trucks. Drop off to you or pick up from them.
Pulled Pork Slider bar for 20-25PPL
With fixings (Slaw, BBQ Sauce, Rolls)
2 Sides- Mac & Cheese, Baked Beans
Business 1 - $396.41 (Tax and gratuity not included) W/Tax $421.13
Business 2 - $461.25 (Tax and Gratuity not included) W/ Tax $497
Business 3 - $425.18 (Gratuity not included)
My food cost for this exact order is:
Pork 13.2 LB @ 1.52= $21.62
1/2 pan Mac Cheese = $18
1/2 pan Beans = $8
(50) Rolls = $6.50
Slaw = $5
(1) 24oz BBQ Sauce = $12
2lbs charcoal = $2
8 wood splits = $5
Rub $1/oz = $2
Total = $80.12
(I even include .05 cent plastic tongs, I get them for free)
Why am I happy selling this for $225 or even $275? Especially if I have a few of the same orders, say I sell 5 of these packages for Superbowl.
@ $225 that is running at 35% food cost
@ $275 that is running at 29% food cost
In a restaurant I always wanted food and labor to be less than 22% but that is really not possible with small business BBQ catering. 28-35% has been my goal.
BBQ is expensive I know but $497 for 25 ppl for a slider bar & sides, Drop Off and No setup? That is $19.88 per person. That is how much I charge for tri tip & chicken + 3 sides and COOK ON LOCATION with my towable smoker/santa maria.
My wife has been working on my website and I figured it was time to see what others are charging in my area......and personally I was surprised. I really had never given it any mind because I have done my own food costs and I always went with what I was comfortable with based on the profit. I would be curious to see what your honest opinions are. I have cooked for friends parties as a "gift", I have done large cooks and small cooks for the past 7 years, so I know all the work that goes into it. However I also know the food cost and overhead going LEGAL. Tell me what I am missing here?
I quoted 3 places, all of them are the same "part time" weekend BBQ caterers in the area. They do not cook legally at a commissary even though they may have a commissary contract with the county. None of them are full-time restaurants or food trucks. Drop off to you or pick up from them.
Pulled Pork Slider bar for 20-25PPL
With fixings (Slaw, BBQ Sauce, Rolls)
2 Sides- Mac & Cheese, Baked Beans
Business 1 - $396.41 (Tax and gratuity not included) W/Tax $421.13
Business 2 - $461.25 (Tax and Gratuity not included) W/ Tax $497
Business 3 - $425.18 (Gratuity not included)
My food cost for this exact order is:
Pork 13.2 LB @ 1.52= $21.62
1/2 pan Mac Cheese = $18
1/2 pan Beans = $8
(50) Rolls = $6.50
Slaw = $5
(1) 24oz BBQ Sauce = $12
2lbs charcoal = $2
8 wood splits = $5
Rub $1/oz = $2
Total = $80.12
(I even include .05 cent plastic tongs, I get them for free)
Why am I happy selling this for $225 or even $275? Especially if I have a few of the same orders, say I sell 5 of these packages for Superbowl.
@ $225 that is running at 35% food cost
@ $275 that is running at 29% food cost
In a restaurant I always wanted food and labor to be less than 22% but that is really not possible with small business BBQ catering. 28-35% has been my goal.
BBQ is expensive I know but $497 for 25 ppl for a slider bar & sides, Drop Off and No setup? That is $19.88 per person. That is how much I charge for tri tip & chicken + 3 sides and COOK ON LOCATION with my towable smoker/santa maria.