Need Advice for Beginning Concession Business

Re:Need Advice for Beginning Concession Business (waydeg)

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:12:58 GMT

The Bear Pit Country Store

I would like to serve BBQ and various fried foods at festivals lasting 3-days or more within a 5-hour drive from home. The plan is to work three weekends out of every month from April-September, hitting the State Fair at the end of the season, after we've had some practice. If anyone has any business advice it would be much appreciated. I am really wondering how many events can be total duds, how to project which ones will be the most lucrative and worth the time, and what my average food cost should be to make it profitable.

I've been trying to track down a low cost and effective business plan that will work to hopefully obtain an SBA loan to help get it off the ground. Combined with my two partners, we have over 40 years' experience in all areas of restaurant operations. (Always working for other people.) Do they take this into consideration when granting the loan?

Again, any advice from veterans in bbq or concessions is humbly appreciated.

I'm with Tater regarding an SBA loan. I've finally done enough private gigs to buy my own cart - as friend rented me his for a very low fee to get started. I fed 50 people on my first gig and was in the weeds from the get go. My FIRST gig was a party for some friends at the house. I set it up just like I would a private function and got the bugs worked out, learned how to control temps, etc. I even hooked up the cart to my truck and drove up the toll road and back just so I'd know how it felt on the road, hooking up and unhooking the cart, how things would ride on the cart, etc.

More importantly, I found that I love the business model I use - private functions like church groups, tail gating parties, World Series watching parties - I had 50 New Yorkers in a customer's 6000 sq ft house serving Sabrett dogs and red onion sauce, whew! THey LOVED it as it brought back a piece of home. Working the streets every day? Probably not so much. But it's nice to know if I lost my job today (ask cwood - Curtis) I had something to fall back on.

If you're not in a big hurry, (and I recommend that you don't be) you'll find many ways to save bucks and still have a good product. Go the pop up canopy, BBQ smoker or grill and the table route first - the last thing you want to do is invest a significant amount of cash in a business you may not even like.

My humble .02

Re:Need Advice for Beginning Concession Business (konnie)

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 01:07:09 GMT

Been there, done that. After 3 years we still aren't ready for a State Fair and don't know if we ever will be or want to be.

Start with 1 or 2 day shows in smaller towns. Our first year we would set up and sell burgers at any event that drew 3 people or more. LOL Small towns let you get the kinks worked out and will quickly show you how much you DON'T know about what you're doing. If the show pays well, do it the next year, if not write it off. After 3 years we are now doing several county fairs but have no desire to do a big State Fair. Remember, big isn't always better. Some of our best NET profit shows are 1 day, small town gigs.

Apply early, Our season runs from May thru October and I start sending out applications by the middle of January. Don't just mail out an app and wait. Get on the phone and follow up. Good luck.

Mike S.

Re:Need Advice for Beginning Concession Business (kennyb)

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:53:08 GMT

you said it tater

Re:Need Advice for Beginning Concession Business (FriedTater)

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:40:41 GMT

You just starting out, how can one determine whats a good event or not. Get your feet wet. I believe you have questions even some pros can`t answer. And I like the one whereas you say "hitting the State Fair at the end of the season". Have you even applied for it yet? Good luck if you can get in......how many bar-b-qers are already at the sate fair? I`d stick to one to three day events till you understand the business and what all is involved. I`d also start applying now to get into these events for 2010.
I may sound rude, but why a SBA loan during these economic times we live in? Surely between the 3 of you you can muster up a 2 hundred dollar E-Z up tent, a bar-b-que cooker and some small tables to get started.
Good luck.........

Need Advice for Beginning Concession Business (The Bear Pit Country Store)

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:05:19 GMT

I would like to serve BBQ and various fried foods at festivals lasting 3-days or more within a 5-hour drive from home. The plan is to work three weekends out of every month from April-September, hitting the State Fair at the end of the season, after we've had some practice. If anyone has any business advice it would be much appreciated. I am really wondering how many events can be total duds, how to project which ones will be the most lucrative and worth the time, and what my average food cost should be to make it profitable.

I've been trying to track down a low cost and effective business plan that will work to hopefully obtain an SBA loan to help get it off the ground. Combined with my two partners, we have over 40 years' experience in all areas of restaurant operations. (Always working for other people.) Do they take this into consideration when granting the loan?

Again, any advice from veterans in bbq or concessions is humbly appreciated.