Concession trailer/what to sell?

I'll just continue to lurk...

quote:

Originally posted by tsstriangle
Hey Folks, I have been able to secure some pretty good events next year that I think will be served best with a concession trailer. I've pretty much got down what we're going to sell 1. Chocolate bananas. What do you sell them for and what is your app. food cost on these?
Pre-cooked pulled pork for bbq sandwiches.What's the best way to keep the meat warm and moist for four-five hours at an event?I think Byron's is sold at Sams Club. If my calculations are correct, it comes out to .91 per serving of pulled pork + bun and slaw, etc...I figure we'd sell these for $3-$3.50 again depending on the type of event.I'm sure there will be more questions in the future!

First with all due respect, how did you get booked into any good event without providing pictures of your rig, a complete menu, and references from past events?

A couple of other thoughts: on food cost no one can give you food cost. You have to figure them yourself. You need to know the cost of the item, banana, the cost of the chocolate, the sticks, the entry fee to the event, the percentage you have to pay the event per sale or overall percentage of gross, labor cost, insurance, electric hook up, propane cost, and anything else that goes into the production of every single food item you produce and sell.

You want to sell Sam’s Club precooked pulled pork?????? If there is anyone else selling BBQ you’ll be out of luck, you have to be kidding me right? And furthermore if you can’t get at least $5.00 for a sandwich don’t bother showing up.

Read some of or all of the archives here, on Road food, this is not a jump in and hit a lick business. It’s tough, and with out some serious work and research on your part someone else will be towing home an almost new beautiful deep blue trailer in 6 months or a year, and you’ll be back at your current job. Do a massive amount of research before you invest in any concession trailer or hot dog cart.

Jack@drofBBQ.com

Thanks!

Concessions are portable restaurant businesses and the key word is business. If you are just starting look for a University extension and find their SBA assistance. Everything has to be looked at with the business, legal aspect, health/ food and sanitation inspections, fire safety, liability, and book keeping for yourself and the government. Many states require some type of course work to certify for food service. If any of these are neglected you are going to find some sad surprises, either you could be shut down or end up losing a chunk of money then owing Uncle Sam another chunk that you didn't figure in to the cost. Any business has to figure in a sizable amount of money up front for startup costs and also figuring in so many months/ years of little business before they get into the black.

Even with annual events many folks have favorite stands that show up every year. My parents attended a fair every year and the local Legion Chapter, made BBQ pork sandwiches and BBQ Chicken. My dad would get to the fair every year for 15 years and sit there waiting for them too get the grills going so he could have a pork sandwich. He didn't even try to see if there was something new too try. Now thats what I call a faithful customer! (Sadly he died 1989, although my mother still goes and has a pork sandwich for him, crying the whole time she is eating it).

Just showing up at an event doesn't guarantee any sales or profits, its going to take an excellent product and maybe even some samples the first year to pull in customers.

From Dr. of BBQs' response I suspect he is serious about BBQing and may have years of competitive cooking. If he does, he has a proven product that people know of and are lining up for when he opens at a fair. A premade, prefrozen product is going to be a sad showing next to a trailer that has a BBQ rig. I'm not trying to knock anyone starting a business, though there is a terrible failure rate for restaurants. Investing your own cash on a whim, may end up as a total loss. RJF

quote:

Originally posted by tsstriangle
Please don't villify me because I asked about Sam's Club pulled pork.There's gotta be good pre-cooked pulled pork out there.I got the $3 figure from another guy that does bbq sandwiches. This isn't new to us, but BBQ sandwiches are and we'd like to add them. And Dr, I'm sure SOMEBODY can give me a ballpark what they pay for chocolate covered bananas (not including entrance fees) and what they sell them for, no??

I wasn't trying to beat you up but it just amazes me that anyone would expect to get information of any value concerning food cost from another area (local).

For instance brisket, pork, vegetables, cheese, all most any food item, sells for different amounts in different parts of this country. And if you’ve been doing food at other events you surely know how to figure food cost. Just call your current purveyor and ask how much a case of bananas is, and how much chocolate runs per gallon can (or how ever it comes). Then you have a ballpark figure that is much more accurate than someone two or three states away. After that ask here on Roadfood if anyone is selling chocolate frosted Bananas, and quote your figures and ask if they are reasonable, and what their market will bear price wise. At least then you’ve done some due diligence. Besides it’s just my opinion and totally unimportant to your last, first or next gig.

As far as PP goes anyone worth his or her salt will tell you that’s an art, although not difficult to master. If you really want to sell it and gain a good reputation learn to smoke it yourself. If you do that, you’ll serve a good quality product and do very well financially. Word at any event spreads like wildfire about who has good food vs the other way.

I think many people unfortunately get into this business (restaurant or concessions) believing all they have to do is fill a freezer with product from a distributor and deep fry it and they’ll make tons of money. I don’t happen to think that’s accurate. I also don’t believe that’s what Roadfood is all about. I see many, many people here on this forum that truly have a life dream of selling an outstanding product, (food worth remembering) all the while knowing it takes extremely long hours and perseverance to accomplish that goal. With those thoughts in mind I apologize if I offended you but I get rather bored with newbies, asking vague questions and obviously not having done any homework on their own. I think most of those come from someone stumbling onto the forum after a couple of beers thinking hey concessionaires make tons of money I want to do that.

So in closing lets start all over and tell us what you’ve done in the past, in no particular order.
What foods have you served?
What was the biggest event you have you done?
How many people?
What were the other vendors serving?
How long have you been doing events?
Working from a trailer, tent, or HD cart?
Are you doing this full time or part time?
What’s your past experience, current job?
Tell us about your equipment?

In short invest some time and effort in our forum and you’ll be rewarded with information, enthusiasm, some kooky ideas and some worth consideration.
Ok I ‘m now late for work so I have to go start my 14 hour day. LMAO
Good Luck
Jack@DrofBBQ.com

PS you wrote There's gotta be good pre-cooked pulled pork out there.
Wrong.

Good God Jack! After posting my last message I thought I would look you up on the internet too see if you do compete. I found your site with all of the photos, a very nice trailer and delicious looking food. DAM! Its 10 in the morning and I'm hungry for BBQ. If anyone is considering selling a premade product at the fair, I suggest they search your site, Your food is going to shame any concession servicing "reheat" food. RJF

Many people see you taking in alot of money at an event and think that you have it made, just collecting cash! They didnt see you get up at four or five that morning to get ready for it. Or the days beore when you bought supplies, worried about how much of what to buy. Nor do they see how you worked late that night cleaning things up and putting everything back in order to do it again. Maybe you overbought, or maybe you didnt have enough. Events are tough, not every one is a winner. I do some events, but would almost rather do ordinary day to day selling with my usual concession contracts (where I am the only vendor, like the local rec association ballgames) mixed in. There are some big event vendors that post on here that indeed do very well, but I am sure that it takes a HIGHLY organized system of supply and execution.

On the other hand, I have a $20,000 trailer that doesnt make any money sitting in my yard!

So whats a person to do?......(lauging like a maniac)

dw

quote:

Originally posted by carolinacooking

Many people see you taking in alot of money at an event and think that you have it made, just collecting cash! They didnt see you get up at four or five that morning to get ready for it. Or the days beore when you bought supplies, worried about how much of what to buy. Nor do they see how you worked late that night cleaning things up and putting everything back in order to do it again. Maybe you overbought, or maybe you didnt have enough. Events are tough, not every one is a winner. I do some events, but would almost rather do ordinary day to day selling with my usual concession contracts (where I am the only vendor, like the local rec association ballgames) mixed in. There are some big event vendors that post on here that indeed do very well, but I am sure that it takes a HIGHLY organized system of supply and execution.

On the other hand, I have a $20,000 trailer that doesnt make any money sitting in my yard!

So whats a person to do?......(lauging like a maniac)

dw

you are exactly right, It's hard for me to leave my winter spot beacuse there is no setup or tear down every week but going in the big events is like playing the lottery you just hope you can get a good hit. Sometimes i feel more like a gambler than I do a concessionaire.

Now for what food to sell You'll never make it selling Chocolate bananas. I've sold the bananas for a year and it was feast or famine with them mostly famine. Start simple and think smart setup a smoothie and shaved ice trailer theme it in tiki or bamboo berkpaper.com sells the coconut cups and the palm tree cups. You'll be seasonal but a very low overhead with a high markup. Good luck in your endeavor its a tough business and very few make it through