My Vending Season Is Officially Over!

BBQMAN · Posted: May 30 2011 Post subject: My Vending Season Is Officially Over!

Thank goodness for that as the heat is ON! Cool

We vend 8 month's out of the year here October though Memorial Day weekend.

Our fresh market season also coincides with our busiest catering month's.

The market is open this summer (downsized in a different location). I was invited to vend it, and declined.

Folks just don't eat much when it's that hot out so it's not worth the time/effort/money for me to try this again this summer.

I will visit and take a good look at how it all plays out, then make an educated decision on attending next year.

Overall we had a great season, and will be making some menu adjustments (mainly price increases) this fall.

We added brisket this year on a trial run as a "special" that was received very well and will be part of our regular menu next year.

I have more catering booked than normal for the summer so that is a welcome surprise.

Hope you all have a great summer!
_________________
BBQMAN
"I Turned A Hobby Into A Business".
Providing "IMHO" Since 2005.

milt · Posted: May 30 2011 Post subject:

I second the price increase, when we got up north I
checked out the prices Shocked

the difference was higher
then I expected. Had a couple of jobs booked
early on, they are repeat customers so I will honer the
booked price. I went right to my web site and adjusted
our prices, We held a price raise off as long as we
could. We will try to hold our prices the same when
we vend. Our first day at the Market was memorial weekend,
some new face's one was selling hot dogs for $3.50
(we get $2.00) another selling water for $2.00
(we get $1.00). Don't know how they did (we got some
negative feed back about them) but we sold out. Breakfast
by 10:30 and lunch by 1:00 (market closes by 2pm)
If it stays like that we will be able to hold the line
this season.
_________________
Curt
www.kissmybuttsbbq.com

Jeff T · Posted: May 30 2011 Post subject:

Good for you Mike!
My vending is just starting & on a bad note if i must say.
Saturday we set up at the local grocery store offered pulled pork & riblet meals. Barely make enough to cover costs with a hundred to spare. Very disappointing. Oh well nature of the beast. At least it wasn't a total bust. Usually we do well there. Memorial weekend around here is always rainy and windy so i guess folks just didn't go out, either that or they all went camping or hit the road to some where. Traffic was good but sales was not. I`ve go some good events coming up though. Hows that go.... "no pics didn't happen".... still don't make me feel any better though. Crying or Very sad

Top it all off my hot water on demand unit( http://www.coleman.com/coleman/colemancom/detail.asp?product_id=2300B700 ) took a crap... wouldn't even turn on, grunt or growl. Battery charged but no go... any ideas? Checked the 6 V battery with a meter and it`s got a full charge. Suppose its the pump? I`ll call Coleman on Tuesday and see what they say.
Happy trails pradner....

BBQMAN · Posted: May 30 2011 Post subject:

Curt : I hear ya there. I'll post my current prices and suggested increase to see what you guy's suggest.

Jeff: from the sounds of it it's a wiring issue if nothing is happening.

Pinched/broken wire somewhere?

Perhaps a bad switch (check it with the meter).

I've never been into one of those, but it can't be that much to check.

Coleman may have a schematic on-line for it?

Let me know what you find as those types of deals pique my own curiosity.
_________________
BBQMAN
"I Turned A Hobby Into A Business".
Providing "IMHO" Since 2005.

BBQMAN · Posted: May 30 2011 Post subject:

Menu Item........................ Current Price......................New Price

Rack of spare ribs....................$20.....................$25
Pulled pork sammie (4-5 oz).....$5.......................$6
Jumbo pulled pork (5-6)...........$6.......................$7
Smoked salmon................. .....$6.......................$7
Chicken breast sammie............$4.......................$4
Beef brisket sammie.................$6.......................$6
1/4lb burger.............................$3.......................$3
All-Beef hotdog........................$1.50...................$2
Bratwurst.................................$4.......................$4
Drinks (soda, water)................$1........................$1
Chips......................................$.50.....................$.50
Add cheese.............................$.25.....................$.25
_________________
BBQMAN
"I Turned A Hobby Into A Business".
Providing "IMHO" Since 2005.

Jeff T · Posted: May 30 2011 Post subject:

Wiring hmmm?
I'll take it apart & see. I like fixing stuff. Yeah maybe a burnt wire?

BBQMAN · Posted: May 30 2011 Post subject:

Jeff T · Posted: May 30 2011 Post subject:

I priced my Sandwiches, brats & dogs the same as yours Mike. Usually sell well but not on saturday. Some places where the crowds are large I'll do brats for $3.
Of those who stopped, $6 for a PP sandwich was well received. My Riblet meal w/beans & slaw went for $7 & PP meal w/same sides went for $8. No drinks. Side portion sizes are 3 oz. Maybe alittle less. I use the three section clam shell boxes.

Louie · Posted: May 31 2011 Post subject:

@bbqman

Your proposed prices look reasonable.

I would bump up the chix breast as it's sort of a speciality item, to me the salmon would be the most expensive item on the menu. The brisket should be more than the pork in my opinion depending on size of sandwich.

Possibly drop the jumbos and charge $6 for all sandwiches to make it easier except for the fish?

You could easily bump up the pop & chips another 50 cents per too.

How do you package your ribs for full rack sales?

Anyway you know what they say about opinions.. Wink

_________________
From vending to Brick & Mortar

BBQMAN · Posted: May 31 2011 Post subject:

I appreciate the suggestions and the feedback.

Once I set my prices for the new season they are set.

As we all know, prices have gone up and I need to get my ROI back to where it was (or at least part way back).

The decision to add a jumbo two seasons ago was to fulfill the request for those who just wanted a loaded sammie. The drawback (if you would call it one) is that some want it cut in half to share. But most walk with the bigger sammie just for them. Pulled pork is also my biggest seller, and we are well known for it.

The salmon is a bit of a "boutique" item that appeals to the non-meat eaters and those that just want something different. it's not a huge seller- I sell a nice size filet (7-8 portions) a day. It would be easier to cut the portion slightly smaller to make up the difference in ROI, but I agree it would still probably sell at $7-$8 w/garlic herbed flat bread to accompany. In comparison, the pizza guy next to me is getting $6-$7 for a small personal sized pie.

The ribs-to go are wrapped in HD foil, then placed in a plastic bag. Our customers like the foil because it's easy to re-heat them right in the packaging. Also environmentally friendly as well as easy to wrap, and I don't lug additional boxes or trays. Win-win all the way around.

On the drinks and chips, I try to avoid odd dollar amounts. The exception is the chips/cheese because I hesitate to charge $1.00 for a small bag of chips.

Most of my fellow vendors are charging $1.00 for drinks as well.

Thanks for the input, we do have a lot to think about over the summer.
_________________
BBQMAN
"I Turned A Hobby Into A Business".
Providing "IMHO" Since 2005.

Louie · Posted: May 31 2011 Post subject:

We offer our whole racks the same way, I did see these the other day but at approx $300 per case of 250 make's it pricey.. nice though.

http://www.hubert.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/WFS/Hubert-HubertUS-Site/en_US/-/CAD/ViewProductDetail-RetailSet?ProductSKU=pres44250&ProductName=Hot-N-Handy-Deli-Carryout-Packaging-
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From vending to Brick & Mortar

BBQMAN · Posted: May 31 2011 Post subject:

I like those rib packs a lot.

But at a $1.20 each- OUCH! Shocked

Looks like I will be sticking with the HD foil at $25.00 for a 500 foot roll. Razz

_________________
BBQMAN
"I Turned A Hobby Into A Business".
Providing "IMHO" Since 2005.

Louie · Posted: May 31 2011 Post subject:

Smoky Bro · Posted: Jun 02 2011 Post subject:

where are you guys getting your foil from?
I just got a 500ft roll today at my local raunt supply shop and it was $40!

Jarhead · Posted: Jun 02 2011 Post subject: