Catering profitable bbq?

Start with an online search of your local competition to determine what their price points are.

Vending to the public requires a license & inspection from the Health Dept. and liability insurance. Then there are utilities. What will those costs be? Then there's the cost of goods, take out containers, condiments and anything else needed by the customer.

Finally, you need to cover the cost of labor and hopefully make a profit. Once you've identified all the related costs, compare that to your competition...that's your answer.

Max, I see on Craigslist all the time guys doing BBQ out of their home for parties and game tailgate parties and selling it a-la-cart. How do they get away with this? Don't you have to have a DHEC Kitchen, etc?

A legitimate caterer will be licensed, inspected and carry liability insurance. No doubt, a lot of home spun operations fly under the radar and most offer a fine product at a low price. "you pays your money; you takes your chances"