What should I charge to smoke ~100lbs pork butts & chicken for a wedding reception?

[Huskee]

I've done this several times but it was always for close friends so I'd charge again whatever the meat cost, you know, just for beer money and fuel and so it didn't feel like a charity to my friends (they always refused me doing it free).

This time a friend of a friend wants pork & chicken for her wedding. I will smoke it at my place and get it to them, so no transporting my smoker or any other onsite nonsense. They're thinking 100-200 people, so at this point I'm ballparking 100 lbs raw weight meat, but this could vary as it gets closer and they know for sure. Not doing this until September.

No sides, simply prep, salt, season, and smoke ~100lbs meat, pull it, and store it for them to pick up. My costs will be salt & rubs, foil, and fuel for 1 or 2 days of smoking.

[MBMorgan]

I'd just pick an hourly "wage" that I can live with, guesstimate how much chargeable time I'd likely be spending "on the clock", add in the cost of materials, and go with that.

[Huskee]

Funny, that's what I told my wife- "I should just charge what a 12hr shift at the hospital would pay me." Thanks for your thoughts.

[smokenoob]

Huskee at overtime or weekend rates! 😁

[Skip]

I was thinking an hourly wage plus cost of materials too. Don't short yourself or people will take advantage of you. As you know it will be a lot of work and time!

[Jerod Broussard]

I'm charging $100 for 150 pounds of brisket for 300+ 2hrs away. Church related so I try to at least break even. I might make $25 off this one.

They already purchased the brisket.

[Finster]

...

[Huskee]

Lol! Love Dr Evil

[Donw]

Around here Arby’s charges $7.69 for a smoked brisket sandwich. I just went to a local restaurant for a cheeseburger and the burger alone was over $16 not including fries. In other words don’t undercut yourself because any other source will be expensive too, even Arby’s.

[TheCountofQ]

Even Micky D's... 5 for a bacon egg and cheese... if you call that ppaer thin piece of brown crispy fat bacon.

[gboss]

Here's what a local Mission BBQ charges per lb for catering.

You could charge $12-18/lb pretty easily depending on what it otherwise goes for in your area.

Just make sure you're meticulously hygienic to avoid cross contamination and hold at controlled temp, etc. The last thing you want to do is take any chances with that many folks.

[captainlee]

Thinking the same thing about liability in case of there were any issues. If you are not licensed with a health inspection certificate you are exposing yourself to liabilities. I know the chances are low but just saying.

[dubob]

captainlee nailed it. I would very politely decline to do it. If they want BBQ, then suggest they contact a licensed caterer in their area. You might even suggest one or two to them.

[BKYDBBQ]

I charge $14 a pound for pulled pork, and base it on finished product and figure 1/4 pound per person. The only large order I have had was pork only for 150 people from me not sure what else was served. It was also delivered cold in half pans the evening before, so had to be reheated, from what I heard everyone loved it.

Edit to add: the $14 / pound is based on getting the butts on sale at $.99 a pound. Paying regular price would raise the selling cost.

[Huskee]

So if you start with 100lbs and after smoking you have say 60lbs (or whatever), you charge $14/lb for that 60lbs?

[BKYDBBQ]

Huskee yes. I charge $14/ pound for the finished product not the raw weight and I figure a 50% yield from the raw weight.

[Steve R.]

Whatever price you come up with, you should charge double that for scheduling a wedding during football season.

[Bkhuna]

Find out what team the bride/groom cheer for and price accordingly.

[RonB]

I don't know if you want to do this as an occasional side hustle, or if this is just a favour for a friend who'd like to do a favour for her friend. Either way, if you price it too low, you might get more potential customers than you want.

[JoeSousa]

I have done a couple big cooks for some groups and I usually charge them about twice whatever I paid for the meat. So for 100 lbs of pork butt assuming you get them for $2 per pound you could charge $400. Maybe add another $50 for seasoning, charcoal, wood, etc.? Gives the recipients a great deal over what they would pay a caterer or BBQ restaurant but also gives you some money for your time.

If you want to charge market rate you would be looking at probably $12-15 per pound of finished meat for pork and chicken. Maybe even up to $20. So even at $500 or $600 you would be well under half of what they would pay elsewhere.

[Huskee]

Your first paragraph is exactly what I used to do, for friends. I'm leaning toward doubling my usual, therefore 3x the meat cost instead of the usual double. Thanks for your advice.

[Huskee]

Thanks all, yes food safety is #1 concern of course, since I teach that to others. This isn't a favor so won't be given away but I don't want to be absurdly high either. The girl getting married's parents are our friends, but we're not close to her. So I gotta watch my Ps & Qs a bit.

[smokenoob]

P’s & L’s

[Porkies]

Not to be the naysayer... but the Ps & Qs and the pricing considerations are why I always say, "You don't want to pay what I would want to do it". I used to have people asking me all the time to setup their networks, build pc's or repair any tech, because that's what I did as a job. For me to do that on my off-time would truly be outrageous and I didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings.
Good luck

[Clark]

If the couple are friends enough that they will invite you to the wedding, then you could just make your cooking services a wedding gift, but they could pay for the meat.

[LA Pork Butt]

Check a few BBQ joints in your area for price and that should give a rate that will both keep you from giving it away and having more friend of a friend requests. What does come your way will be because it is good and not just because it is cheap.

[texastweeter]

Three times the cost of the raw meat.

[texastweeter]

And I don't mean sale price.

[texastweeter]

Sides are extra, sauce is sold by the 1/2 gallon. If on-site cooking is required, I charge a one time add on based on location, I have to haul one of my trailers there afterall.

[bbqLuv]

I will be able to help with pricing after I taste, and fill my belly.
I offer to buy the PBR too.

[bbqLuv]

Be sure to get an agreement in writing. That is to avoid Judge Judy.
100-200 people. Which is it?
This is my guess, 15-30 per person. 20/per 300-600 dollars.