Winter time business

Joe,
I live in Missouri, I will work as long as possible. I won't pull my trailer in snow or ice, but will work if the weather permits.
What state are you in?

I do some catering, but like Willie I don't pull my trailer in the snow. I do some home deliveries too, but mostly I am getting the next year all lined out.

I live in Boise. Not much in the way of snow, but if it does, I most likely wouldn't be pulling in it. I know business will drop off, but what do you do to keep as busy as possible? I read somewhere on this forum, I think, of someone who sells to local grocery stores, bars and whatnot. Probably what I'll try. Any other ideas are welcome though.
Thanks,
Joe

Hi, Joe.
I'm born in Florida, so I can't say what will work for people that are in snow and stuff.
In cold weather here, we're talking like 40 degrees, bbq still sells really well. It usually sells better in the winter because we have a lot of people from the north visiting.
The Floridians seem to like the Brunswick Stew and our Brisket on a Biscuit, stuff like that but they still want their fruit alongside. I use citrus mostly during the winter. Just a slice of orange seems to make folks smile. It would probably help in the cold parts of the country, too. Your customers would think you were really nice to give them a little lift of citrus or a small fruit garnish.
Do you have a lot of hunters in your area? Maybe you can get a custom smoking thing going. Just cover your liability because you aren't smoking USDA inspected meat and you really aren't sure what condition the meat would be when you got it.
Peggy

Our rule of thumb is "when it gets to 20 degrees, shut down until it warms up in the spring". We are talking about catering out of the local American Legion hall during Christmas holidays. Will specialize in a "Cowboy Christmas Party". The restaurant business is slow in January and February. A good time for vacationing in Mexico etc. Plan on hitting it hard on March lst. Keep stokin and smokin.

Look at traffic. The car wash is fine when you're washing a car, but you won't be doing that much in the winter will you? Look at the traffic flow and see what's driving in and driving by. Think about it as a consumer, what's going to make you stop and buy/eat?

Around here a guy has a business that he smokes in the lots of grocery stores. Some ran him off as competition and others invited him in.

If it's a drive by business, North in the winter, then it will be affected by the weather. Look for options, such as straight catering built upon your traffic generated during the summer (word of mouth).

Maybe a car wash for the salt during the snow season with a fill-up for nice hot BBQ! Offer a hot chocolate or coffee. A take home box of bbq and sides would be nice for folks on their way home from work trying to feed their families.

Wash Off the Road Salt! Fill up Your Family With Some Nice Hot BBQ!

Just an idea.

Peggy

Here winter is the Seattle Monsoon season. Since we started the dead spot in winter is shrinking, now it's January and we are happy for the break.

For some of ya'll that might not know Konrad,besides being a fine comp cook/caterer/vendor,here is a look at his credentials.

Konrad Haskins

quote:

Besides being a fine comp cook/caterer/vendor,here is Konrad's look at his credentials, taken from his own website

Fixed it for ya. No charge.

Winter catering like smoked prime rib, galic mashed, veggie etc is a simple cater and good for Nov,Dec and Jan months of business even advertise smoking turkys, prime, hams for people for the holidays etc.
Jdawg