Family BBQ Place?

[4LittlePigs]

I wanted to start another thread on this subject. I want to be careful because I don't want to offend anyone or anything they are doing currently.

My wife and I struggled with a decision about our restaurant. After much prayer and discussion we decided to NOT serve alcohol in our place. We wanted our place to be very family oriented. Yes, I know that some will say that a bbq place not serving alcohol is a deal breaker. But we feel that if it is meant to be it is meant to be and out of our control anyway. I have yet to have anyone complain about NOT being able to get a beer with their ribs or steak.
I would like to get your thoughts on this, good or bad. I don't want to clog this forum or get to deep here. I know that some of these things are not allowed on here so I don't want to start a fiery discussion because I really like this forum and everyone posting on here. Thanks guys.
_________________
Sam Diggity's BBQ
MEAT, FIRE, GOOD!!!!!
Home of "Sam Diggity's Ribs & Sauce"

[Texman]

[CarolinaQ]

Little pigs,
If we can't discuss the issues on this site that concerns our business, then I will leave this site! Just my 2 cents worth to begin with.

Truett Cathy, who started the Chick-fil-A fast food chain is a christain, has never sold spirits or opened on a Sunday and now has a billion dollar company. And I know I'm not comparing apples to apples as far as the food is concerned, but hopefully, you see my point.

If my restaurant deal works out, I too, will not be selling spirits. A friend of mine who owns a bbq restaurant and sells spirits told me that alcohol adds 40 percent to his bottom line, but in my opinion, money is not everything in this life and nothing in the next!

My opinion, if it's allowed...
_________________
Ole Hickory EL-EDX
UDS
New Braunfels El Dorado
Weber Kettle
KCBS CBJ

[marvsbbq]

I knew of a guy that bought an already established roadside BBQ shack and because he was a profound Jew, he did NOT sell pork of ANY kind.

Because of his belive/religion, his business started to fail to the point that he was forced to sell.

The new owners added pork back to their menu and to this day (many years later) are a well known place for great BBQ (including pork ribs & butts)....but get there early..before he runs out.

Bottom line, the owner of a business has to make a choice based on belief, good judgement and what ever else drives them.

Some choices work out...some don't.

[Harry Nutczak]

Beer & wine sales are a huge plus in any foodservice business.

Hard liquor can be left out of the picture in most places unless it is a full sit-down establishment that serves multiple course meals (IE Soup, Salad, Entree with waited tables)

For a BBQ-based place with or without waited tables, I would defenitely offer beer and wine. there is too much profit on the table to not offer it.
_________________
Just remember that the toes you may step on during your climb to the top will also be attached to the a$$es you'll be forced to kiss on your way back down!

[SoEzzy]

Out here in Utah they have some of the stronger laws about serving alcohol in the Country.

Of the half dozen BBQ restaurants that I've been to in the valley only one has a liquor license.

If I want a beer with some BBQ I'll be happy to stay home, not that I don't enjoy a beer with my BBQ, but it isn't a must have, it's just a nice to have in my opinion.

If you're trying to cater for the beer, wine and hard liquor crowd, that is a totally different demographic, and you need a different style to handle them, if you're looking for the older dinner crowd, that's a different style too, choosing to go for the family should be easier than the one and a little more difficult than the other.

So aim for those you want to have as your demographic, and good luck to you maintaining the business around them, if you get known for your great BBQ and I expect that you will, as you're off to a good start attitude wise, the beer / wine or lack of it will not matter to your clients, as much as the sauce you serve on the side, or the potatoes in the salad!

If every other Q-joint in the city serves bbq and beer and you don't, you'll pick up those that don't want to expose their families to the bbq and suds atmosphere, in some ways it can be your niche market, in others it may be exactly the same as everyone else, but you'll have a better idea of your area and what's available!
_________________
Here's a change Robert.

I still work here!

[Brian Briggs]

I am a drinker (not a drunk ) and all of the BBQ places serve at least beer in my area. However, I have never ordered a beer at a Q joint. Not sure why, just never have. I also do not recall seeing lots of beer around on other tables either. Mainly, sweet tea. Just my .02

[T00lman]

I,m a drunk not a drinker just kidding yes I do drink from a going out to eat (say bbq ) I would not pass a place that did not serve booze BUT from a business owner myself I have to look at the profit potencial that I would have to have a long hard look at bottom line we own business to make a profit if a certain item will increase my profit,s traffic exposer well a good long look.

good luck with your resturant .
_________________
1 bad azz d.o table
weber 22 1/2 x 2
some of its magic some of its tragic
#37 liar
1 wsm 18 1/2
1wsm 22 1/2

[BBQMAN]

From a business point, I could agree with just about any of the above.

Of course (Marv) I am a Jewish guy selling pork to the masses (both tribe members and gentiles alike)

However you see fit to run your establishment is a fine approach by me.

Not offering beer and wine would not stop me from eating at your place or be the deal breaker at any other establishment serving up good food.

However, I myself couldn't see turning the down the profit margin of serving beer and wine, and it will be on the menu if and when I open a raunt of my own.

The profit margins are low as it is in food sales with the added overhead.
_________________
BBQMAN
"I Turned A Hobby Into A Business".
Providing "IMHO" Since 2005.

[Brian Briggs]

BBQ

So, do you taste test your pork?

[Harry Nutczak]

Lets take a look at it from a customers satisfaction standpoint.

I highly doubt that there are customers out there that will not go to a place becuase they serve beer.

But I do know many customers that will not go to a place just becuase they cannot get a cocktail or a beer!

For some people beer or alcohol is a needed item to go with their food, if they cannot get a cold beer at your place, they will most likely go to a place where they can get a beer with their meal even if the food is lesser quality or higher in price
So provide what the customers want since they are the lifeblood of your business.

And enjoy the extar profits made from those sales so you can spend it on the extar insurance for serving alcoholic beverages.

Now if I remember correctly, you share a building with a gas station convenience store? is there anything that can be worked out where your customers could just get a beer from the gas station and bring it into your restaurant?

This way you do not have any moral conflicts or increased insurance and licensing costs but your patrons can still get a cold one when needed.
_________________
Just remember that the toes you may step on during your climb to the top will also be attached to the a$$es you'll be forced to kiss on your way back down!

[SugarMedia]

[Pit Boss]

Anyone's opinion on this subject, other than yours, is completely worthless. This decision is yours and yours alone.

Until I went to my first BBQ chain restaurant I had never even thought about people selling alcohol at a Q joint. The small roadside bbq places in North Carolina NEVER sell spirits...it just isn't in the blood. I had never seen it until big, commercial bbq hit the scenes.

Until May '08, I owned a small 82-seat restaurant in Coastal North Carolina. We sold beer & wine. We where on a corner lot, but my neighbor on the other side was a church. Not a single person who went to that church ever graced my front door in the six years I was there (not to my knowledge anyway). But to counter that...some of my very best customers came from the other seven churches on our little 3.8 square mile island (actually only 2.5 square miles of dry land). The pastors of two of those churches where great customers...one of which ate lunch with me 4-5 times a week! Even off the island we drew parishioners of other churches and at least one other pastor who was a good customer and a great friend.

To NOT serve alcohol should never be from a "well will I be losing a customer base" standpoint. Do what you feel is right for YOU. As with my case above...there will always be those who feel they don't want to eat with you because you serve alcohol...then there are those who use common sense and come anyway. I mean really...my church going neighbors who refused to eat with me...did they not stop at the mini mart to get gas, did they never go to Wal-Mart, did they refuse to go grocery shopping? Of course not! They each go to many places (on a daily basis) that sell alcohol...they just took it upon themselves to focus on my establishment. That's ok by me. I remember one day in particular I had three ministers sitting and eating lunch all at the same time. That narrow minded church beside me never made me think twice.

I will soon (Lord willing) be opening a bbq restaurant of my own. I probably will NOT be serving alcohol as I don't want the bother. Again, personal choice.

Go your own path. You'll have no problems either way.

Best of luck.

Jay
_________________
Somewhere in Kenya...a village is missing their idiot.

[4LittlePigs]

Wow! You guys are awesome! I really appreciate the input. I enjoy getting on here and having discussions with so many points of view. So far we have not had one request for a beer. When I had the whole c-store, before we split it up and I sold the c-store to my father-in-law, we didn't sell alcohol. I should mention that there is a very busy liquor store directly across the side street from me. As a matter of fact, in the summer, we get a lot of business as people stop and get their gas, etc. while the passenger runs across the parking lot to get their beer from Monty's next door. We are going to stick to our guns and let our food speak for itself. Tonight was a great night considering it was only 10 degrees outside. Word is really getting out. The paper was here the other day and getting my story and picture in for next week. I will post that when I get it. As far as letting customers bring in their own, wouldn't that be drinking in public or something illegal? I've got a few Ky State Troopers that eat in my place quite a bit so I will ask them as well.

Thanks again guys. All of you are
_________________
Sam Diggity's BBQ
MEAT, FIRE, GOOD!!!!!
Home of "Sam Diggity's Ribs & Sauce"

[OKBBQEA]

I'd say about 90% of the BBQ joints I have eaten at don't serve alcohol and I can only think of one I have eaten in that had a full bar.
_________________
I only believe in two basic food groups... Chili & BBQ
- - - - - - - - -
Brinkmann Duel Zone Pro Charcoal Grill
14.5" Weber Smokey Mountain
18.5" Weber Smokey Mountain x2
22.5" Weber Smokey Mountain
R&O Smokers Fat Girl
Ludicrous Speed Red Thermapen

[mwillis]

I think one important thing to keep in mind is the area of the country you live in. I'm not positive, but I bet your area of KY is a lot like where I live. There are a lot of people who don't drink alcohol , and don't go where it is served. The majority of non-chain restaurants do not serve it either.

I have traveled to a lot of different parts of this country, and the SE is definitely different than most.

My personal opinion is that where you are the people won't care if you have it or not. Do what you think is right. The most important thing is to have good food, great service, and make people happy to be in your restaurant.
_________________
OK Joe Longhorn
Weber Smokey Joe
Weber 22.5 Silver
UDS-XT
XT Cart

[Harry Nutczak]

Are you guys in what I have heard referred to as "The Bible Belt" part of the country??

Are you seriuos about people not patronizing a place just becuase they serve alcohol? That is abit over the top IMO, but who am i to knock others beliefs?

It's not like the restaurant is forcing them to drink. I just don't get it.
Even though I don't care for alcohol, I would not avoid a place because they offered it to customers that may want a beer with their dinner.

Now if you served hard liquor and had a brass pole for amateur strippers performing, Then I could see some families avoiding that location.

I am being slightly prodded into opening at another location right now, I do not want to deal with all the BS and liability involved with alcohol sales. But I really do not have a choice if I take this new location. I will need to offer beer and wine. I will not deal with cocktails though.

I feel I would lose business if the customers could not have a beer before their food was served, And in the summertime we have lotsof tourists that love to sit outside with a cold one just sniffing the crisp northwoods air.
_________________
Just remember that the toes you may step on during your climb to the top will also be attached to the a$$es you'll be forced to kiss on your way back down!

[mwillis]

Yep! we're serious. It is strange as compared to the rest of the country, but not strange in these parts. Heck, it was only in the last year or two that you could get a beer on Sunday around here. I don't drink, so it doesn't bother me.

Now, the number of people that absolutely refuse to go into a place that sells beer is a small percentage. But, a large percentage of people, although they wouldn't refuse to go to a place with alcohol, wouldn't stay away from a place just because they didn't have it.
_________________
OK Joe Longhorn
Weber Smokey Joe
Weber 22.5 Silver
UDS-XT
XT Cart

[sseige]

I have a full service bar and have nice outfits for my staff and would still consider my place a family restaurant. Even havening a few rowdy golfers from time to time I have never had a complaint or had someone not bring their family's in.

Passing up adult beverage sales especially draft beer if able sounds crazy to me. If you only have X amount of customers through your doors in a year and you can add to the ticket ....WOW pass that up not me.






_________________
Rusty Saw Smokehouse BBQ
And The Damn Yankee Touring Team
Southern Pride 1000

Gasser!

[BBQMAN]

Steve, that bar is sweeet!

I mean the bar-staff is sweeet!!!!

It all looks sweet to me!

Your decision there 4LPs, I'm sure either way will be just fine with the locals.

I myself am not a heavy drinker, but I do like a cold one with my BBQ.........................

I also don't have a moral problem with alcohol sales- it's legal, and adds to the bottom line.

In todays economy, I would not pass up the extra money potential.

Keep us posted on how it all works out for you!
_________________
BBQMAN
"I Turned A Hobby Into A Business".
Providing "IMHO" Since 2005.