So how much is fair?

[Anonymous]

I know that this answer will differ from region to region, but here's what I want help figuring out.

A local catering company that serves the mid day medical field has asked me to supply them with BBQ brisket for at least one of their monthly specials, if not more. They will supply the meat, which so far has been nice flats from Tyson, about 6-9lbs each.

I can basically say what I want, but these are friends of mine and they, too, are just starting out. They served two of my briskets at their open house the other night and have sold three more in three days.

It looks like I will be cooking 8 flats for them on Monday/Tuesday for them to have for Wed-Fri next week.

Now, I figure that it don't really cost me anymore to cook 8 than it does to cook 1, so I will charge them by the "pit load". I will supply the fuel and labor and they will supply the meat at least 48 hours before they need it. This has already been discussed.

Is $50 a fair price to charge for 10 hours of time to cook? I can get the fuel pretty cheap, i.e oak, pecan, lump charcoal. I do love to cook, so I would do it for a coupla free briskets to cook for myself, but I really want to begin fair and stay fair, ya know?

The more I think, I do also need to consider wear/tear on the pit. I have already burnt up my fire grate. Need to get another one-two from Ritch.

Any suggestions are welcome.

[Steel_Toe]

Hi, Now I love to smoke, and BBQ as much as anyone on here( I know, I know I'm the new kid on the block) but what you need to think about is are you doing this for friends or as a buisness. I'v had many people tell me that I need to start selling my meat...LOL (just call me the smoken Gigolo) sorry I digress, any way your price of fifty dollars would be very cheap. but if you have allready quoted that then you should stick to it. if not try one hundred dollars. as for myself hey I give it away for free. :lol:

[TAR RIVER RAT]

Fatz, I personally think you are cheating yourself. $5. an hour is not much
considering the cost of your pit. How much will it cost to replace the grate? I know you love to cook, but you are not a rookie anymore. My 2 cents.
Tar

[1044]

Sumpin' I learned 25 years ago, when I started my photo business.... bidness is bidness. If you want to cook for a friend for free, do it for free. If you are going to charge for it, make it the going rate.

They are in business, selling their product at market rates. You are simply a vendor to them. Sam's doesn't discount to them, or to you.

As I said, bidness is bidness.

[Woodman]

For what it's worth Fatz, I'd charge more than $100.00. You've got rub and foil, wear and tear, and you're providing a service that not everyone can do. And, I assume your pit cost you too, you gotta cover that cost. Cook some extras and sell them to someone else. I love to cook for people, but I agree with 1044. Bidness is bidness! Woody

[Buckeye]

Fatz, I personally think you are cheating yourself. $5. an hour is not much
considering the cost of your pit. How much will it cost to replace the grate? I know you love to cook, but you are not a rookie anymore. My 2 cents.
Tar

I agree.
I'm fittn' reddy ta do tha same thing. A secrataree at werk iz wuntn' me ta cook 4 butts an 4 salmon fer her tamorrow fer her "bunko" partee at 7pm.......Cost wuz $84. I'm chargin' her $200.

[herper]

Fatz, dont sell yourself short. lots of things to consider, remember now it has to be done when they want it, how they want it because they is payin for it doing things you love is cool,as long as its when and what you want. $5.00 an hr is not even minimum wage by govt standards. also if someone gets sick, whos butt is in a sling?? best of luck Qbrother
Herper

[Dirty Ron]

Fatz, on things like that, I charge either a flat amount per brisket, or a minimum of 10-15 bucks an hour total, including prep

[BBQ101]

Fatz I charge 25$ per hour plus expences such as pit rental wood fees and rub and spice costs. I only give a discount rate of 15$ per hour if its for a church fund raiser. I want to go to heaven if they will have me big if. I also tell the church Rev that only he and I know what the real rate will be all others must be told I charge 25$ per hour plus expences and they provide the meat money in advance. I will also do the whole job if asked but then the Mrs takes over the estimate she has been in food services for 25 years.

[Paul Taylor]

I knew that I would learn something here about this subject. Ya"ll are da BEST!!

Paul Taylor

[Dirty Ron]

well, it depends also what else is going on - If i'm getting the pit out anyways, I have a list of people who want me to do things. So I charge 'em per piece. 30-40 briskets at 5-10 bucks each is nice pocket change

[Dirty Ron]

(They pay for/supply the meat)

[Texana]

Hey Ron

How much longer we gotta see that sorry looking avatar?????

[Dirty Ron]

Ugh....I dunno. Reminds me everytime I see it how crappy my boys played.... 30 days from the game, I believe.

I see that Texas is playing Michigan in the Rose Bowl~ hmmm

[Race R Us]

yep texus and mitchigan in the rose bowl

[C-Town Smoker]

Fatz, check this link out...this is my cousin's bbq catering site. It will give you pricing. The price includes wear and tear, labor, blah, blah, blah!!


Hope it helps!!

http://blueridgebarbecue.com/menu.html

[bigwheel]

I know that this answer will differ from region to region, but here's what I want help figuring out.
Any suggestions are welcome.

I think two bucks a pound based on the weight of the raw meat if a fair price for custom cooking. That is the least which will get me to fire up anyway. Did it for a buck a pound for several years but thats too cheap.

bigwheel

[1044]

I think two bucks a pound based on the weight of the raw meat if a fair price for custom cooking. That is the least which will get me to fire up anyway. Did it for a buck a pound for several years but thats too cheap.

bigwheel

Yeah, that makes sense...to a degree. But hows about this...

I called 5-6 of the bigger Q joints in town. "How much for 10 lbs. of brisket?"

"$10 per lb." All were within .25. Nobody gave me a total, or discounted price. 1 lb or 50, the price is the same.

So...Why would I let you furnish meat @ 1.40 lb. and charge you $2, when I would charge you $10 if I bought the $1.40 meat?

I realize this situation is "wholesale", and with enough volume, I would lower the price, but it would not depend on who bought the same $1.40 meat.

OtOH, nobody asked me to supply a bunch o'briskets for their business.

[Anonymous]

Fatz, check this link out...this is my cousin's bbq catering site. It will give you pricing. The price includes wear and tear, labor, blah, blah, blah!!


Hope it helps!!

http://blueridgebarbecue.com/menu.html

Aahh. Now there's a great starting point. I can work with this. I think this is gonna be fun no matter what I charge them. Worse case is I make more than break even....even if it's only free meat, ya know?

[bigwheel]

Well think we are speaking of two different scenarios here. The orignal proposition was for what I would call custom cooking..that is somebody else furnishes the meat and you cook it for a fee. Here in Foat Wuth just about any of the Q joints will do that for you at the rate of around a buck a pound or less with you bringing it and picking it up. The old Winn Dixie stores had some big old Commercial Frederich smokers and used to do it free if you bought the meat from them. Now you start moving into full blown caters or set up your own retail store think you could charge whutever the traffic would bear. Till then 2 bucks a lb aint bad for custom cooking..in fact prob too pricey for most catering biznesses to utilize your services as the designated bbq cook.

bigwheel


[/quote]

Yeah, that makes sense...to a degree. But hows about this...

I called 5-6 of the bigger Q joints in town. "How much for 10 lbs. of brisket?"

"$10 per lb." All were within .25. Nobody gave me a total, or discounted price. 1 lb or 50, the price is the same.

So...Why would I let you furnish meat @ 1.40 lb. and charge you $2, when I would charge you $10 if I bought the $1.40 meat?

I realize this situation is "wholesale", and with enough volume, I would lower the price, but it would not depend on who bought the same $1.40 meat.

OtOH, nobody asked me to supply a bunch o'briskets for their business.[/quote]