ballpark vending-HD Update 5-15-12

[corndog]

Ok, grab a cup of coffee, this could be a long one..
A local collegiate baseball team contacted us about doing an event or two this season w/ them at the ball park. They want a “tailgate” theme event for families to come to the park and eat something different than regular ball park food…It sounded interesting, so we met the other day. As we talked about stuff, I told them as catering is a part time job so to speak, bbq could only be done on the weekends b/c of the cook time and it looks like we could do 3-4 bbq events for the season..they were good w/ this…Then I mentioned that I could do brats and peppers on the grill..quick, easy, low over head….they liked this idea. Then I mentioned that we do some fried concession style foods for various fundraisers (Relay for Life) and the loved this…

So, they told me that I could set me schedule and menu and work out there as much as I wanted to. There are normally 3 other vendors..Chick Fil A, a pizza booth, and regular hot dogs…Avg game attendance is about 1000-1100, so based on what I have read here, I could expect about 10% of the game attendance..

We discussed payments/advertisement and they said that the other vendors paid “X”% of sales for that night, with advertisement being bought at a discount rate vs non-ball park vendors..Advertisement would be outfield sign, web links, etc…We like this opportunity b/c it keeps us involved in the community, keeps out name out there, and I just love cooking for a crowd in the open… What would be a good payment percent that we could agree on? I have never done anything like this before, and feel like I am walking in the dark….
Thanks,
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Kevin "Corndog" Cameron

Dang it boy, that's some mighty fine eatin'!!!!

[Texman]

[corndog]

Texman wrote:

[Jeff T]

Most county fairs in my aera want 15% of your gross sales. I'd low ball with a 10% offer & if they balk shoot for 15%.

[Jarhead]

I agree, 10% is the norm around here.
Just adjust your pricing accordingly, just don't shoot yourself in the foot doing so.
Good Luck.
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Gunny 3073/4044/8411

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

[Bestiverhad]

I agree with Jeff T and Jarhead.
Shoot for 10%, which should be fine, if not, go to 12% and work it.

Hope this turns into some fun income for ya.
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Tender - Juicy - Smoky - Goodness

"What would you like to drink with that?"

[corndog]

Thanks for all the advise..been working potential numbers and it looks like it might be worth while. Now I'll just have to talk to the HD to get their take. The good thing is the ball park has a certified/inspected kitchen for cleanup of utencils. I'll try to keep ya'll posted on how it goes..
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Kevin "Corndog" Cameron

Dang it boy, that's some mighty fine eatin'!!!!

[daddywoofdawg]

Since they aren't offering you anything but a space I would say 10%.state fairs around here are 17%.and 1000 people isn't a state fair.
When you talk to the HD tell them the ballpark kitchen is your commissary for those events.
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Good BBQ is all smoke and beers!
The Dawghouse Custom vertical Gasser
Custom Made offset smoker
Char grill smoker
Weber kettle

[corndog]

Ok, here's the update after talking to the HD. The inspector stated that we couldn't do bbq on our equipment except for "special events", which in their eyes, is a game that doesn’t feature the home team...such as an All Star Game...why that is, I don't know, but it is their final answer. But, we were glad to have the All Star Game and another special event the night prior for Fan Fest...We worked out a trade for advertisement for food for a VIP tent for 2 nights of about 125 each night..2 different meals. Easy stuff for us, and not too much out of pocket for us. They will have us as the "Exclusive BBQ Caterer for the VIP" section on all banners, print, web, posters around town for the ALL Star Events. They said that the VIPs are mostly local business that have deep pockets, local politicians, etc.. along w/ the league officials and such.. Along w/ this VIP event, they want us do a pig pickin event for the public to feed about 200 people and sell those plates for profit..and we are still working out the commission percentage for that event, but they were talking still in the 10% area. Contracts are being drawn up as we speak…
The other news is that we can do our fried concessions for as many games as we can for the season and we settled for a 10% commission back to the park.
This might end up being a draw for us, but it will be something to keep our name out front in the public. So we will see... and more updates as they arrive
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Kevin "Corndog" Cameron

Dang it boy, that's some mighty fine eatin'!!!!