Rental fee for parking lot space

Mr Tony's BBQ · Posted: Apr 10 2011 Post subject: Rental fee for parking lot space

I know traffic patters, amount of traffic, city / town size can all fall into what may be considered a "fair" price to pay - but I am in an area where this type of vending really isnt done. I am wondering what price you guys pay to set up in a lot - I dont want to get ripped off nor do I want to rip anyone off -just looking for an average fair price to use a few parking stalls near an intersection.
_________________
Money Maker
Scrapper
Mr Tony's Kitchen http://www.thesmokering.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=67601
Being Blessed with income from my passion!
WWW.MRTONYSBBQ.COM

Jeff T · Posted: Apr 11 2011 Post subject:

Talk to your local grocery stores & see if you can vend at there lots. I do but the deal is i buy the meat from them. In return i don't get charged for setting up. I`ve also told them that on vending day if they want to push any certain meat products that i can smoke or grill i`m willing. Most vending fees at car shows & festivals want $100- 250 a day. Fairs want 15-20% of your gross sales & vending spaces fill super fast. What i pay here may or may not be what you would expect to pay in your community. I`m in North east Nebraska not much for BBQ here which is good and bad. People are tight with a buck.

daddywoofdawg · Posted: Apr 11 2011 Post subject:

I have paid a piece of the action,paid eletric,and gotten free becuase you are a draw to their bar or store.I too have done the store parking lot by the meat there and free to set-up.
_________________
Good BBQ is all smoke and beers!
The Dawghouse Custom vertical Gasser
Custom Made offset smoker
Char grill smoker
Weber kettle

Jerk Pit Master · Posted: Apr 11 2011 Post subject:

Many crazy landlords/property owners will ask for $1000 per month.

Max should be 10% of current sales by 5% or lower is ideal.

Here's a benchmark. What are the building tenants paying per square foot?

How many square feet do you need in the parking lot? Probably no more than 200 sq ft. Do the math.
_________________
Jerk Pit Master
"Eat Jerk. Be Happy, Mon!"TM
www.GourmetIslandBBQ.com

BBQMAN · Posted: Apr 11 2011 Post subject:

Yes, it depends.

I have a standing offer from my coffee shop owner buddy (stand alone corner property) to set up and sell if I ever want to try it.

Free of charge.

Most places are going to try and supplement their own lagging sales with a fee.

I had an another offer a few years ago to vend out of a large carpet/flooring parking lot on one of the busiest roads in town.

Until he showed me the "back lot" spot he intended to place us, with no visibility from said road, then wanted pretty good coin for the privilege.

nice thing about being mobile is not answering to this type of "deal".
_________________
BBQMAN
"I Turned A Hobby Into A Business".
Providing "IMHO" Since 2005.

Mr Tony's BBQ · Posted: Apr 11 2011 Post subject:

Much appreciate the responses guy's !!! I just got thrown a real curve ball - one guy I asked responded in a way I wasnt ready for - not only does he WANT me to set up there, he wants to talk possible long term - setting me up with a counter in his gas station / mini mart ???!!! We meet on Wednesday! I have known the guy since High School, we were best friends for years after, but life takes some curious curves!! - he is extremely successful - one of those too big to fail types......My head [ NOT my leg ] tingled when I just opened his email! Nothing in stone so I am still perusing other angles, but this is extremely hopeful! I guarantee more questions will follow!...LOL Wink

_________________
Money Maker
Scrapper
Mr Tony's Kitchen http://www.thesmokering.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=67601
Being Blessed with income from my passion!
WWW.MRTONYSBBQ.COM

Louie · Posted: Apr 11 2011 Post subject:

Hey Mister T,

Nice when opportunity come a knockin.. Wink

I vend events and roadside,I've made arrangements with some places by "I'll scratch your back and you scratch mine" deals. If you run a clean well presented operation there's always some benevolent biz person that will help out and most times it will benefit them too.

Btw nice website..good luck.
_________________
From vending to Brick & Mortar

Mr Tony's BBQ · Posted: Apr 14 2011 Post subject:

His only concern was that I showed up AT LEAST 1 day a week, the same one - so I will be there every Wednesday this summer, probably Thursdays and any Friday I dont have booked too! He's giving me electric, water and I will buy my milk / eggs / butter etc from him [ my idea ] - he just wants me to run a good clean business, and not sell soda - cuz his markup is too good!!! lol
He immediately told his manager to start advertising on his big sign out front that I will be there every Wednesday this summer! I'm a little scared - too good to be true?? Gonna say my prayers, fill the smoker early Wednesday and hold on for the ride!!
My local grocer also liked the idea of me moving their sale items - maybe a Mon - Tues gig in the next town south!!

PTL!
_________________
Money Maker
Scrapper
Mr Tony's Kitchen http://www.thesmokering.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=67601
Being Blessed with income from my passion!
WWW.MRTONYSBBQ.COM

Pit Boss · Posted: Apr 15 2011 Post subject:

You can also offer to give their employees on duty a free meal on the day you're in their lot. Bartering is WAY better than payment in cash.
_________________
Somewhere in Kenya...a village is missing their idiot.

Mr Tony's BBQ · Posted: Apr 15 2011 Post subject:

I just got back from setting up "coming soon" signs at the Mobil - they also say I can use their cooler and freezer space......no charge, and if the weather is bad I can use some of his counter space - not sure what I got myself into - but I think I like it Wink

Their charity brat booth was destroyed by winds over the winter - I offered to rebuild it in the slow periods - we'll see how that works.....lol - I've been a carpenter for 25 years - I know I can make him a really nice one quick - he is buying the materials - so long as I dont fall off the roof this will be good for both of us as I can use it weekdays!! Very Happy

Thanks for all your input and support - I'm gonna need it / more [ I'm a nervous wreck / excited to get this rolling ]
_________________
Money Maker
Scrapper
Mr Tony's Kitchen http://www.thesmokering.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=67601
Being Blessed with income from my passion!
WWW.MRTONYSBBQ.COM

Teleking · Posted: Apr 16 2011 Post subject:

Mr Tony's BBQ · Posted: Apr 16 2011 Post subject:

I may end up!!...lol I'll be there for the morning rush anyhow!! A breakfast burrito is already on my mind!! Being in Wisconsin, I have to serve tons of dairy - I will be vending to a lot of farmers from the area as they come to this end of town for fuel, smokes etc.so shells - n - cheese will be on the smoker!
One lady behind the counter raises turkeys - she says she used a part of a 55 gal drum to extend her webber and roasts 40 pound turkeys indirect!!!!! I cant wait to get ahold of one of those and cram it in the Lang!! Shocked

40 pounders - I wouldnt want to hit one of those with the car!
_________________
Money Maker
Scrapper
Mr Tony's Kitchen http://www.thesmokering.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=67601
Being Blessed with income from my passion!
WWW.MRTONYSBBQ.COM

Mr Tony's BBQ · Posted: Apr 16 2011 Post subject:

Terrible pic from my phone, but thats my name on the marquee!
I also went and talked to my local butcher, who also roasts hogs - not smoke, but does the 5 hr gas blast and slice, along with other catering, and told him what I was doing - he was a little funny at first, then told me he would and could beat my regular suppliers price on shoulders!!! His wife was still pretty wigged out when I left, but he was fine with it all! He be able to see my setup out his side window - time will tell if fireworks start! He tried selling his sausage, cooked, a while back but it never took off - he did say he will be mad if I do good... Rolling Eyes

_________________
Money Maker
Scrapper
Mr Tony's Kitchen http://www.thesmokering.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=67601
Being Blessed with income from my passion!
WWW.MRTONYSBBQ.COM

Jeff T · Posted: Apr 16 2011 Post subject:

Ya know Mr Tony competition makes the world go round.
My brother in-laws brother told me 3 bones for 5 bucks wouldn't sell round here "people aint going to pay it" When ever i vend ribs they always sell out first. He was just jealous, he owns a small BBQ joint here in town & has trouble selling traditional BBQ.
If your BBQ is good meaning tender tasty smokey etc...& people like it, it will sell. I think in the upper mid west states our kind of BBQ is more of a novelty, something people don't normally get.
My guess is... you`ll do well!

Mr Tony's BBQ · Posted: Apr 17 2011 Post subject:

Thanks for the encouragement Jeff! Yesterday I did the $2 each or 3 for $5 at a charity event.I did up 90 xl legs [ almost 1/2 pound each] had 10 left at the end of the day! I only brought about 35 pounds of shoulder, was going to serve half at lunch / half at dinner - had to rush the second set of big butts as everyone kept asking for more! They didnt make it past 2:00!!! This was at a college an hour away - poor college kids came up with the cash and kept buying more, I know my locals can / will!!

[ did burgers and brats too - they sold ok, but nothing compared to the Q!]
_________________
Money Maker
Scrapper
Mr Tony's Kitchen http://www.thesmokering.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=67601
Being Blessed with income from my passion!
WWW.MRTONYSBBQ.COM

Mr Tony's BBQ · Posted: Apr 17 2011 Post subject:

Sorry, I am confident proof is required here too!! Wink

_________________
Money Maker
Scrapper
Mr Tony's Kitchen http://www.thesmokering.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=67601
Being Blessed with income from my passion!
WWW.MRTONYSBBQ.COM

Jarhead · Posted: Apr 17 2011 Post subject:

Well done Mr. T
Benefits are fun, but you work your @ss on them.
Great way to get your name out, hand out cards, auction off T-Shirts or whatever, Family take-home dinners, etc.
The last one that I done, we had 4 Family size (serves 4) dinners. So happens, the buyer had a family reunion the next day and bought them all at auction. Those 4 dinners brought in over $200. Shocked

IMO, everyone's a winner.
_________________
Gunny 3073/4044/8411

Jarhead's World Blog
KCBS CBJ & HMFIC Debbie's Q Shack

daddywoofdawg · Posted: Apr 18 2011 Post subject:

show the local butcher you'll sell more butts then he would, be a good customer to him and you won't have the competition from him.sell some of his sausage too.
_________________
Good BBQ is all smoke and beers!
The Dawghouse Custom vertical Gasser
Custom Made offset smoker
Char grill smoker
Weber kettle

Virginiasmoke · Posted: Apr 22 2011 Post subject:

Name in lights! That is really cool.

Isn't it funny how you spend so much time trying to get going then you end up awake at nights worrying if you can handle the opportunity?
I'm starting to see the light at the end of my tunnel also... and, thank God, I don't hear a whistle (yet).
_________________
BBQ is a fundamental element in all American culture.
It’s perhaps the only truly American cuisine and like anything else that’s purely American, it’s a mutation of influences from around the globe. – A. Bourdain

Cat797 · Posted: Apr 22 2011 Post subject:

Good Luck to ya Mr. Tony...........Crazy how opportunities just seem to pop up huh? I have no doubts you will do well.

All the best,
Ed
_________________
Insulated Offset RF:
UDS:
Weber 22.5 OTG
Weber 22.5 Performer