Today's Gig....

[marvsbbq]

Doing a luncheon for a car dealer for 120. Pulled pork (using 30 lbs total), bag of chips, soda and 2 cookies each....$11.00 + tax PP.

They only PAID for ONE sandwich each, didn't want to pay for extra sammies saying one is 'plenty'.
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Often imitated but never duplicated

[OddThomas]

[sseige]

I sure Marv has the SIZZLEto go with the price
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Rusty Saw Smokehouse BBQ
And The Damn Yankee Touring Team
Southern Pride 1000

Gasser!

[marvsbbq]

Yes, I will be the first to admit that the 'area' dictates what we can charge.

The chips ($.20), name brand soda ($.23), FRESH cookies $.25 ea. serve 2 PP), large hamburger bun $.10) ALL at Costco....Then you add ice for soda, pork, bbq sauce. That amounts to about $1.05 per person...THEN you add all of your OTHER costs into that...brings it up to about $5.00 per person so a $6.00 NET profit is about right...in my book
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Often imitated but never duplicated

[marvsbbq]

[adolpho]

BBQMAN's ribs and chicken "gut buster" menu is the same price as your sandwich luncheon.
Marv, you're the man!
Talk about logistics, I think that's proof right there.
Here in my parts, the competition is fierce. Even the small towns have multiple bbq joints/caterers. $11 for a bbq sandwhich, chips, two cookies and a soda can probably only be found at a Country Club.
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"Tag line? We don't need no stinkin' tag line!"

[BangBangBBQ]

$11.00 per person for that menu is great. I'm here in Ohio, most buckeyes can't even spell BBQ(at least this part of the state). I've been looking at starting out small in the bbq catering buisness and hope I can have the kind of success marv seems to have had . I don't think there is a lot of this type of catering options around here. Not sure what to expect in this neck of the woods though. Congrats on good pricing!
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When all is said and done, more will be said than done!

[Big Mike]

[BangBangBBQ]

[soonerjimmie]

Dont expect to get what Marv gets in Ohio. (Dont tell marv I said this, but I think he sells crack with his BBQ)
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Thanks,

Jimmie
JJ's (almost famous) BBQ

www.jjskitchen.com

[BangBangBBQ]

[BBQMAN]

Marv is right- those prices wont fly here! Too bad, I could set myself up for early retirement!

Price here is dictated by the competition, hmmmmmmmmmmmm I thought I was the competition!

We are not the cheapest, or the most expensive. While there is a fair amount of comp. here, there are a lot of potential targets clients to shoot for!

I have often asked folks where they live- it does have a direct impact on how you run this business and how succesful you might be. It truly isn't that I'm a stalker, just part of how this business works! (been there, done that, sorry I just coudnt resist! )
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BBQMAN
"I Turned A Hobby Into A Business".
Providing "IMHO" Since 2005.

[marvsbbq]

This gig went off without a hitch and we are set for NEXT Fri for another car dealer for same gig.

FYI for you caterers in 'other' areas of the country, I will let you in on my 'secret' (not really a secret, but sounded good ) These gigs are being paid for by our local GMAC Mortgage Company office. (GMAC is a national company, so there SHOULD be one near you) GMAC finances Chevy cars but this is totally seperate from that but GMAC Mortgage offeres employees and their families 'special' discounts for being GM employees. So this 'free lunch' for employees offerers the Mortgage dude a chance to briefly talk to employees about their benifits...that most are not even aware of. He said he gets 3-4 loans each time he does one of these so it MORE than pays for doing them.

This GMAC rep has 6 car dealers within a 20 mile radias of me. In 3 months (April, May & June) we do all 6 car dealers.

I have a 50 min and a couple of dealers (smaller towns) are only about 25-30 employees but he allows THEM to have seconds if they want and then the rest he just takes back to his offices and shares with the staff.

I ONLY provide what he pays for. If it is 50, I DO NOT take enough for 75.

I have been doing this for my local GMAC office for 5 years now (this is the 5th year)....Seems to work for him so I see no reason for him to change...Works for me
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Often imitated but never duplicated

[BBQMAN]

Thank you Marv! That is a great idea! Summers are typically slow for me, so I will be contacting my local GMAC rep tommorrow!

Love the exploding pepper avatar!
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BBQMAN
"I Turned A Hobby Into A Business".
Providing "IMHO" Since 2005.

[marvsbbq]

I have 'other' money making ideas too that 'should' work. Will post tomorrow, have out of town company for the W/E right now...Hate to 'ignore' them while trying to post here too...
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Often imitated but never duplicated

[BangBangBBQ]

That's a great idea. Been coming up with a crude buisness plan in my head lately. Fortunatly my wife is 100% behind the idea, and wants to take a big part in it (equal partnership) and I wouldn't be able to even consider a catering buisness otherwise.

We have discussed what seems like hundreds of different marketing scenarios, and oppertunities (didn't think of GMAC though ). As well as trying to make those scenarios fit our demographic area.

First thing I need to do while still in the planning phase is perfect my bbq technique. I have taken a big step in that direction since finding this site. Thanks so much for all the help. Keep the suggestions coming.
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When all is said and done, more will be said than done!