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6 replies

$$ Benefits of Catering and/or Mobile Kitchens

FM Former Member
Long time reader, first time poster. Basically, for some time now I have been working on a business plan for a "smallish" bbq restaurant - not a heck of a lot of seats, mostly takeout and hopefully some catering.

I have been working as a chef in "high-end" restaurants for a couple of years now and have always bbq'd in my spare time, made my own sausages, sauces, rubs, etc. So, I have a good base of knowledge when it comes to the kitchen and bbq.

My question is this - I have noticed a couple posts in which catering and the use of a mobile kitchen/smoker have been presented as a great way for a beginner to start out as opposed to an actual stand alone restaurant - would someone please explain the FINANCIAL benefits of going down either of these routes? Unfortunately my experience does not include catering on a large scale and I am not familiar with the mobile kitchen idea. Pardon the ignorance and I would appreciate any feedback.
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FM Former Member
I have owned restaurants , but never have done catering or mobile units. However, I believe financially there is still a great investment. Main thing is even if doing catering....you still need a commercial kitchen as Health Department wont let you get by with home kitchen. So if you have a commercial kitchen why not do dine in or carryout from there? Catering gives you ability to sell alot of food at one time...so does have benefits than messing with individual orders.

I dont know if you have ever seen these: www.sybbq.com , but these units are made to go were the crowds and catering jobs are....may want to think about this or something similar.
FM Former Member
we thought about a southern yankee bbq unit and quite frankly if we had 4 grand more money we would have gone with them (until we went to the convention in atlanta). we are going with a trailer-tech 818 custom and a sm150 and fe 100. the fe100 meets competition specs and the sm meets catering and wife loves it. my dealings with trailer-tech have been nothing but positive and they are most helpful. the owner is hungarian the main fab guy is hungarian and the salesman is cuban!!!!!! since my grandfather was german i love it!!!!!! and they think our choice of sm150 and fe100 is too cool and want some bbq so when we pick the rig up we are going to smoke a bunch for them. nice way to check all items out Big Grin
FM Former Member
oh one other thing,
we got a program called business plan pro 2004 the sba uses it and our local bank was most impressed by it. hopefuly our startup money comes this week. but it is ez to use and is recognized by all lenders. good luck in your endeavsors.
jack
2 Greyhounds.....SMOKIN!!!!!!
FM Former Member
opps!!!!
ok the 18 foot rig and 22 cu ft reefer and 8 cu ft freezer 3 hot food wells and 3 cold food wells 8 ft hood and the sm150 and fe100 added in my startup costs is 36 large and for darn sure a stand alone is way more!!! as for my creditetials i am an acf certified chef so you are coming at it like i was. in florida if you arent hooked to a home you are clear. and the rv park where i have to store my rig (since i cant due to the fact i leave in the restored area) is my commissary but i have to stay hooked up all the time. but the owner of the park gave me a break if i give him a beercan turkey and some ribs at least once a month!!! Big Grin

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