I got this crazy Idea....

[u63405]

On opening up a bbq joint. I know it's crazy especially since I know almost nuthing about bbq. I mean, i've smoked some meats but still don't know much about it, but, everyday i see this building that is close to my house located right next to the railroad tracks. Looks like they did some kind of metal sheeting work in there. It's abandoned and for sale. I can see a simple bbq joint happenin'. I'm not talking about offering everything under the sun. just maybe doing one type of meat and do it right....baby back ribs, pork sandwiches, etc. when you run out, you run out and doors are closed!! I had the inspiration from that whole hog video someone posted.

Ah, it's just an idea

[SoEzzy]

Look at the demographics for the area, look at the number and location of any fast food joints, look at the area of the country you're in, and what the average Joe on the streets thinks of or expects for BBQ.

Approach the owner of the building about the possibility of leasing or buying the place, and then ask the HD what you'll need to make that building into what you want, I'd estimate that you'll need at least $30 - $40,000 for the build out in order to be in compliance.

Be realistic about what it's going to cost you up front, or you'll rue the day from the back end.

Good luck, keep dreaming, but get the facts on all the costs before you quit the day job.

Come back and let us know how it goes, if you go ahead with it, and post pictures, we like pictures!
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Here's a change Robert.

I still work here!

[u63405]

Thanks SoEzzy!! haven't given any thought to costs but your words of wisdom sure opened my eyes I don't want this place to be nothing fancy. just somewhere to git a deliciously good quick bite.

I'll post a pic of my dream location.

[Poppa's PTL Club]

The reason you don't see many of these places anymore is because the barriers to entry are now so high, especially if you have to put in a grease trap (trust me, no matter where you are, I'll bet that SoEzzy is on the very low side of a buildout where there is not already a grease trap).

Yuo can't just sweep up the floor and build a pit out back anymore
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I likes to eat 'da pig!
Acts 11:5-9

[SoEzzy]

There have been other grease trap threads with figures as low as $25,000 for the trap, Harry's estimate was $120,000 for a building that had never been a restaurant.

http://www.thesmokering.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=36487
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Here's a change Robert.

I still work here!

[Poppa's PTL Club]

Yeah, I was including all of the other figures that would need to be considered for a buildout (electrical, etc) before you even get to equipment, inspections, etc. By the time you get to equipment, supplies, etc, you've spent a lot of $$.

There's a reason that these weekend only places have disappeared and that you don't see new ones opening. You might be able to fall into a good situation by accident, but just seeing a cheap building and thinking "Hey, I can sell sandwiches Friday night and Saturday!" is not that realistic any more.

Not that I am arguing that this is a good thing
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I likes to eat 'da pig!
Acts 11:5-9

[mkevenson]

The only limiting factor is MONEY. If you can stand to be in business for at least a year and not make a dime, then you may have enough. If you can stand to loose all the money you put in then you are ok. If you have either the time to put in the kitchen or the money to hire then go for it. Just might be fun, and a lot of hard work. But hey nobdy ever died from working hard. Well maybe one or two!
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We're just cookin here!
CBJ, WSM, UDS

Mark's Kitchen and Smokin' BBQ

[u63405]

WOW!! talk about getting schooled!! Shoot, all I wana do is serve up some good eats and maybe make some pocket change, is all why does it have to be so difficult or cost so much?
You know, i live in chicago and around my area you have 1001 mexican restaurants and most are little more than run down shaqs and people flock to these place morning, noon and nite!! all they have is a grill with hood, refrig, coupla seats, coupla cook and walla!! also, some of these folks that don't have the means to own a restaurant push around a cart serving up corn, mangos, ice cream. Shoot, just the other day i saw a guy setup with a hot dog cart on a busy street and next to that was a cart for making and selling tacos!! maybe that's the way I outta go....hot dog cart coverted to bbq cart and i can roam the neighborhoods selling Q!!

[u63405]

here it is in all it's glory


[/img]

[Haelix]

the building looks nice,
you could get a prebuilt catering trailer and park it out back, build your dining room , restrooms, and build a real kitchen over the years as you grow.
depending on the neighborhood some people actually dont like the smell of hickory smoked pork 24/7 (Canadians).
Ask around get a feel for the area, have a traffic study done to see how many cars pass at what time of day. there is no better test of a restraunt than see how much Q you can give away in a day. that will tell you how much Q you will never be able to sell
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[Pit Boss]

Depending on what state you're in.......NO you can NOT just buy a catering trailer and park it out back. If your state allows that, consider yourself extremely lucky.

The two states I've done business in both require an enclosed bbq pit room to house your pit. The requirements dictate ventilation, floor materials, drainage, hand washing lavatories, etc. The room can be quite cheaply built, but running plumbing/drain lines can up the cost pretty quick.

As far as grease traps go.....depending on what size requirements you get from your local authorities, you might spend well less than that $25,000 minimum. I know a guy who was only required to install a 1,500 gallon trap (that's on the small side) last year who spent $5,000 on the job. Again, this may depend on the area you live.

If you want to be as "simple" as you state, that building looks a bit large. What is the square footage?
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Somewhere in Kenya...a village is missing their idiot.

[Tim_Abrahamson]

There are numerous helpful threads in the Commercial BBQ section with buckets of good advice...the one common theme is "This is not easy!"
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BBQ is like sex...
Even when its bad its still pretty good!
...besides, when is the last time you turned down BBQ?

Oklahoma Joe Longhorn
Big Green Egg
Former Pitmaster Gates and Sons BBQ (KC)

[u63405]

thanks again everyone for the input. not sure why, but there's something about this place that's drawing my attention.

haelix - this is very very busy side street. lots of cars coming and going day and night.

Pitboss - not sure of the square footage but it's pretty big.

Tim - i agree with you and the other commenst cuz true enuf - it ain't easy.