Need Help From Professionals Re: Food Service

A friend just opened a convenience store in a great location (lot's of foot traffic/office buildings, etc.)

He has asked me if had interest in selling food in the store as there is a space in the store that could serve as a take-out type food service. I thought of deli/Cuban Paninis/PoBoys/salads, cakes/pies/cookies, however was thinking of another signature dish that would catch on.

Customers have also asked for breakfast type foods as well.

I would "rent" the space from the owner, and he has every appliance.

Any suggestions, experiences, possible problems as well as suggested menus would be deeply appreciated.

THANKS!

Food that I buy at a convenience store by me that, puts effort into it; biscuits and gravy, chimmychanga, or what looks fresh and is fast. Usually in a hurry. They go far as specials, frog legs, catfish (fried pieces), and always have a variety of fried food. They do sell alot, one guy just cooks to keep cabinet full.

A Cuban sandwich sounds great. I haven't been able to find one in years.

Angelle, Get it inspected by Board of Health first. Does it have a hand wash sink only? Are you going to use disposable utensils and pots/pans? If answer is yes You need a 3 wash sink also, That's why I say get it inspected first. Then go from there. CBB in PA

Cowboy Bob,
Yes! It does have a brand new three wash sink. The problem (if any) as I see it may be in that they have no real exhust in that room, only lot's of windows.

Steaklover,
I, too, have not seen Cuban sandwiches in years! I once had a Cuban neighbor that made the most delicious sandwiches, and I yearn to have some again. LOL

Me_again,
It has been inspected and the place is brand new. Never had anyone in there. New sinks, refrigeration, counters, floors, etc. With a very nice sized bath room as well. The location is excellent, and I have made up my mind to give it a try.

Now, I have to come up with cost for my product and also what any percentage would be with the owner. I will be making/preparing the food, packaging it up in clear containers, stocking the frig/counters with product.

I think a 70/30 split is good for me, but some say this is too much, and I have never done this before so I really do not have much of a clue. The store is in an up scale location.

THANK YOU ALL soooooooooooooooooo much for your help/suggestions. They all gave me much to think about.

Does he pay all utillites, equiptment maintanance, insurance, etc? If so 30 points would look decent on most P&L's. Consider no labor cost and if you can keep FC at 20%, you pocket 50 points. Not bad if you get all the details down and in writting.Id also consider forming an LLC with yourself as sole employee paying yourself a wage as well as your co-fica it could save you a lot on taxes.
britt

I'm the Devils Advocate... Sounds like all fun and good.. But you need a lawyer big time here. You could sweat and spend hours (or years) on developing a concept and menu, working to make it a worthy roadfood stand, then get the boot.. Owner takes it over after all the work is done and over with, and your out everything. He lives on the reputation. Need to look at the business end of the deal here. Friends don't make good friends when it comes to business.

I agree with Uncle Vic. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is! The best way to maintain a friendship is to have EVERYTHING in Writing up front. "Trust Me" doesn't cut it!

uncle vis is right! you cant just jump into this store and start selling. you have to create your company name, get licensed, get a fed tax id, local authorizations, and forst and foremost, a lease agreement, as that is the first thing the health department will ask for. shoot for something like a 5 yr, with a 5 yr renewal option. build it up and let the other guy take it away,dont let that happen. protect yourself. now as far as the 70/30 split, personally i think NOT! you will wind up paying more than you make. trust me on this one. FLAT FEE is the way to go. lets calculate. say you sell 50 plates in one day. now you do all the work, and thats a ton of work for one person...maybe too much. slicing the meats, stocking the stations, prepping, putting together.. everything. ok, so lets say you get 6$/plate. 300 bucks. minus 120 food cost(realistic), minus 90 partner-split, that gives you....hhmmmm..... 90. for a really hard working bust but day, you get 90 dollars. and... you got to build your business up to that. now look closely/.... the partner is getting to take same as you in this scenario, i would say too much. shoot for more like ten percent OF PROFIT to the partner.

if their are any fryers or ovens, or gas equipment, then a hood system will be required. of course this is not a fed regulation, its a local regulation, and the rules change from one local to another.
good luck, and keep us informed.
think about this too. elect failures, who pays for the lost product/.

equipment breaks during lunch, and their are lost sales. well you both suffer, but who pays to fix? yoru partner still has income, but you are a fish out of water.
in summary.. its a great opportunity, but you got to be very very careful of these partnershtis...

Signature sandwich ideas: A BIG rare roast beef sandwich, buy a used Hobart slicer, roast Top Sirloins, let cool, slice, watch them line around the block, have thin sliced onions, killer homemade horseradish sauce
Killer Chicken Salad sandwiches, chicken, scallions, bacon, sliced white grapes or raisins, a pinch of curry
You would do well selling pre packaged fruit salads
Chicken Caesars
Peanut Butter, Bacon, honey, bananna Paninni...6 slices thanks
Chocolate Chip cookies, Fudge Brownies
Apples, Banannas, Oranges
Get great Bagles, cream cheese, coffee, get a high output toaster
Got room for a soft Ice Cream machine?
Pickels, Deviled eggs
Sell a great homemade soup, don't let anyone tell you soup doesn't sell in the summer
Unforgetable Tuna salad sandwich and salad, Tuna, celery a little onion, sweet relish, a little green pepper, a hint of jalapeno
When do you open, I want to try all this stuff!