My first vending gig...a follow up after the fact

smokelahoma · BBQ Fan Joined: 22 Mar 2009 Posts: 314

I got a call yesterday that I thought was a catering job, but after more info today it turns out it's more of a vending gig.
A bar owner from a suburb of my town called me and said that they are hosting a party for a group of professional bull riders. the bar has hosted this party for the last 2 years, they have used the same BBQ caterer the last 2 years but his phone was disconnected. I have no idea how they got my info , I assume my website but I don't know.
They want me to vend at their event, it is a meet and greet with the bull riders and bull fighters. They are promoting it on 2 local radio stations. They will have several promo people there like "the twin peaks girls" a hooters type place, the bud girls ( I think), and some other kind of girls...blah blah blah.

Anyway, they say they've had anywhere between 100-250 people there in the past. Who knows what that translates into in real numbers not promoter numbers.

They will be serving beer outside from a big bud multiple tap trailer thing. So I asked if I could do soda and water and she said that was ok.

This will be a first for me so wish me luck...

The previous guy did chopped brisket sammies and turkey legs, but I told her I would rather do pp sammies and brisket sammies. I hope the cowboys don't miss their turkey legs too badly.

The event is from 7 pm to 2 am next Friday, everyone I would normally use for help is sick or working or watching after my newborn baby. So I will have to find at least one other person. I told my wife I need to find a buxom 20 something but she just laughed.
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Jeff T · Posted: Jul 01 2011 Post subject:

Good luck
The best thing going for you in my opinion is that its at a bar. If they are not hungry when they get there, they will be after a few beers or drinks.
Might not be too busy till later with the time span your required to attend. I wouldn't expect to sell much more than 100-125 sandwiches. If they come expecting to get food maybe you`ll sell more who knows. Tough call.

BBQMAN · Posted: Jul 01 2011 Post subject:

No need to be sorry for the novel- some background info makes giving an accurate answer a whole lot easier.

Congrats on the new addition to the family! Very Happy

Hard to say on an event like this- perhaps the previous vendor just didn't want to be involved?

It sounds like a good group of eaters.

Are they advertising food and drink being available?

Is the bar also doing any type of food themselves?

You should be able to do this event as a one man band with that menu unless you have a friend willing to work for food and beer and the sights.
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smokelahoma · BBQ Fan Joined: 22 Mar 2009 Posts: 314

smokelahoma · BBQ Fan Joined: 22 Mar 2009 Posts: 314

Keystone Saloon Meet-n-Greet

Friday, July 8th 7:00pm - 2:00am

Keno James Band Live in Concert

Mechanical Bull & BBQ

Full Bar - 21+

Bull Riders, Bull Fighters & BMBR Promo Girls Autographs 8:00pm - 10:00pm

Twin Peak’s Girls will also be at Keystone Saloon!!
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smokelahoma · BBQ Fan Joined: 22 Mar 2009 Posts: 314

daddywoofdawg · Posted: Jul 05 2011 Post subject:

150 sounds about right, for the couple of bars I have done.They eat after a couple of beers and after a couple short of a case.keep the wood burning even if there is nothing in the smoker.the smell draws them in.
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Smoky Bro · Posted: Jul 06 2011 Post subject:

I second that! having a bunch of smoke coming out of the cooker (even if it's empty or just working as a warmer) is the best advertising around. works every time.

smokelahoma · BBQ Fan Joined: 22 Mar 2009 Posts: 314

Well I can now say that i have my first vending event under my belt.
It did not quite go as planned,but what does. first the promoter said they wanted us to provide sides, and drinks, then they called 2 days later and said they didn't want to have to deal with all the trash associated with extra items and packaging. They asked if i could just do sandwiches wrapped in foil, this is after i have already been to Sam's to purchase all the sides. Then they called back and said, on second thought that they would like the "full meals". I told them that i already had all of the stuff.
After having loaded all the equipment (except the smoker) the night before, my truck wouldn't start. We jumped it and it started fine, i looked all over for a light or something that was switched on and draining the battery. After finding no source of battery drain, i plugged the battery charger in and left it over night. The next day it still had too little a charge to turn the engine over. I ended up loading everything into my jeep, and having to leave the smoker behind.
So when i went to set up they had a spot right in front of the bar for us, i unloaded everything out of the jeep and set up an ez up and three tables.
We were set up for a few hours before anyone started showing up.
it was very slow going from 7-10, things began to pick up around ten and at one point we actually had a line of people and i was having a hard time keeping up. but that didn't last too long before the door of the bar swung open and a bar fight spilled out of the bar and into my tables. buns and chips went flying! the fight went through/around my cooksite and continued into the parking lot. i think all the people from the bar were now outside watching the drama. by this point it was a lot less a physical fight as it was a yelling/threatening match.
30 minutes later 5 patrol cars show up with lights and sirens blaring. People started to scatter and i thought to myself the is going to ruin my business. And it did everyone stood around watching the cops and a few people they were trying to arrest. I say trying because there were at least a couple of guys that kept hiding under cars and running away. they were eventually cuffed and stuffed and the partol cars left.
I waited for the midnight rush but it never really happened, at 1am i told the promoter that we were packing up and he bought half a dozen sandwiches from me to sell to customers later on.
We packed up and i was on the road by 1:30
when i got home i was so tired, it took everything i had to unload the jeep.

all in all i think i was about $100 in the hole, probably one of the cheaper learning experiences i have had.

The promoters asked me if i wanted to vend the actual rodeo when i was packing up, i asked them to call me back with details.
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www.smoklahoma.com

BBQMAN · Posted: Jul 12 2011 Post subject:

Thanks for the update Rob! Cool

Doesn't sound like such a good time, but I bet it was a good learning experience! Wink

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