Is there any money in this???

[krusher]

hey everybody, I have just been wondering if ther is any money in selling bbq. I have been thinking about going up to the country store just up from my house and taking the omner a sammy and seeing if he would like to sell it. he has a deli and doen't have bbq , just burgers and such.

I know its probably just a pipe dream but thats probably how most big restaraunts got started.

Thought i could buy the butts at sams, 15 lb. ( two butts per pack )is about 26.00 usually and then smokin them and selling the whole butt to him for about 50.00. I think he would be able to clear a profit and so could I. Also just thought about putting up a sign about 1/2 mile from my house and selling it out of my yard/house.

Am I crazy???
this gusyis selling for 56.00 for five lbs.

macy's has a smoked pork tenderloin 4.5 lbs for 130.00
http://www.gardnersbarbecue.com/dixiecrat_special.html

 

[ronp]

I went to city hall yesterday regarding the same thing. Found out you have to have several licences etc. Where I live I would need a fire inspection, food inspection just like a restaurant, tax ID number amd bla bla bla. I was told that selling food without them would result in a violation of the law and you could be fined 500 dollars and 6 months in jail. If you don't show up for your court date, they will issue a warrant for your arrest.

I told her I would be better off selling dope, she said yea probably.

Before getting your ideas flowing, make a call to local officials. I'm sure every town has different rules.

Good luck!!

 

[lcruzen]

There is money to be made but I'd advise going about it properly. You open yourself up to a lot of liability should someone get sick.

 

[waysideranch]

Krusher,

Guy at the county fair last night was selling brisket sammys for $5.00. His rig was nothing special. I'm sure the inspection isn't that bad. Tax ID is easy to get. License can't be that hard. Go for it. Check out catering thing. I have buddies that smoke hogs and such for weddings and they seem to make a little $$. (They may drink the profits in one sitting but that's beside the point). After reading Cruzen's post I guess u need to hang a sign "Eat at own Risk".

 

[solar]

I don't think there would be a problem with this, if there's already a deli and a grill there, then he can sell your BBQ on consignment. The owner of the country store will have to accept any liability if someone does get sick. Bascially if you just supply him with the smoked meat, with nothing more than a handshake and a verbal agreement, I'd bet you would be fine.

Either that, enter into a agreement with the owner as a part time employee, have him supply all the meat, and you can cook it at a per pound basis, or just get paid by the hour.

I'm sure you can find some way to do this, but I'm not sure how much money would be in it. I guess it depends on how much your time/knowledge is worth and how much you'll be paid for it.

 

[deltadude]

You have a lot of problems to solve, the first is what does local business code/regulations. I have posted for my county just a sample, the end result being NO you can't do what you propose, your local county/city may be different. However, you could find a commercial kitchen and make a deal with the owner, and use the facility during the kitchen's down time. Often caterers that are just starting up do this. The owner of the business I manage, had a restaurant with huge kitchen, and rented the kitchen out to a caterer for 2 years before selling the property.


From Sacramento Business Guide
Home Occupations
Home-based businesses are subject to special regulations regarding the type and
extent of business activity allowed. The purpose of these regulations is to protect
the residential nature of the neighborhood and prevent nuisance complaints
regarding noise, traffic, dust, etc. Ask for the handout "Home Occupations
Regulations Summary," available from the Business License Section.
Note: There are certain business activities that are not allowed as home
occupations. Businesses engaged in food preparation, hazardous materials
handling or storage, auto or boat repair, bed-and-breakfast inns, cabinet shops, tow
truck companies, and others cannot operate from a residence.

 

[solar]

I know of a restaurant that sells soups and pies that are made by a lady in her home that lives down the street. As far as anyone knows, the restaurant makes them. Not sure if it's legal or not, but they've been doing this for years. Like I was saying before, in this case, if the lady was put on the restaurants payroll, and she made them there, I see no problem, because she's just a employee.

If you wanted to put a brand name on the BBQ, then yes you would need to get all the proper licences. Just my 2¢

 

[yankeerob]

We sell it under the Vermont State Fair Liscence PRogram and carry extra liability on the BUSINESS not on my name. They can sue the business if they want to but they won't get my house or assets.

Well sell pork $9/lb and brisket $10/lb. Anything else is 3X cost. We'll just about break even this year but have close to $3K in new equipment expense. Next year is gravy.

Talk to your local health dept to find your options. Since we only do "events" we can get by as a fair stand. Catering is a different operation in their eyes.

-rob

 

[bertjo44]

I agree there is probably money to be made. At the comp we went two a couple of weeks ago we also lent a hand to a guy selling bbq to raise money for the local fire department. Sammies for $5 & plates (w/ slaw & beans & tater salad) for $7. He had enough to feed 400 and I figured up he probably spent around $600 (depending on meat price). That is a profit of at least $1400. He said he usually does street fairs and such. Luckily the Health Inspector didn't show to inspect, probably since they were doing it for the Fire Deparment.

 

[white cloud]

I have been contemplating the same thing myself. I need to contact the health dept. When I do I will let you know, and I'm sure it differs from state to state.

 

[waysideranch]

My Dad does events and other gigs around our state and he ran into a BBQ guy that told him it wasn't hard to make $500-$1500 in two days if your food is the good stuff. Soda and all the fixins you know what i'm saying.

 

[fatback joe]

Make that county to county

 

[white cloud]

OK FB, I will check with the county health dept.

 

[bigwayne]

krusher is in rural virginia while you and I are in heavily regulated California. His life is a lot simpler when it comes to govt. regulation. As he wants to sell it through this store, there is a good chance he could work something out with the store owner to cover himself.

 

[gorillagrilla]

Yes , in california I'm pretty sure you need to prepare everything in a commercial kitchen, then hit the road or whatever. The health dept. wants somewhere they can inspect.They will not inspect a residential kitchen.So ussually you will need to rent time in a commercial kitchen durring there off time and poof ! there goes your profits !

 

[supervman]

Sorry, didn't read all the posts but you probably need a permit/license to sell out of your house. It's NOT a Lemonade stand.
50 seems a little light to me. The shop keeper will make a TON of money off of you on that.
Probably best to set it up so it's a Special on one or two days of the week.

GOOD LUCK !
V

 

[capt dan]

There is money to be made, but I wouldn't quit my day job.

In my county, you can not prepare food in your own kitchen, the food prep area must be outside of your home.

I pretty much charge the same as yankee rob to friends, relatives and friends of friends.

The building industry is almost non exsistant around here and if I can make 2-4 hundred bucks on a weekend, I will do it, and have been for a few months. I am not dealing with the general public though. I still need to work or be available for it during the week!

 

[travcoman45]

As others have said, start with yer local health dept. Mine are fairly simple, it can be ran out of a home as long as some conditions are met. Insurance is a must in this sue happy world we live in. Ya might try workin sumtin out with the shop owner too. There is money in it, but yall gonna earn it! It's alota work, but can be enjoyable too. I would not even think bout given up a full time job ta do it though, use it fer some extra cash. Good luck.

 

[carpetride]

Maybe I missed it but maybe the Deli could sell you the butts at cost on the ones you sell back to him. Seems this might be better for both parties vs. going to Sam's.

Just .02

 

[buckeye024]

Yeah, this is exactly what I like to see at the restaurants I eat at!