Starting a small BBQ business takes little upfront money to purchase necessary equipment and licenses. You must get all of the typical licenses from the state--occupational license, sales tax license and your employer tax identification number once you have decided on a business name and entity. The business name and entity can be applied for and obtain on the web through your state's division of corporations. The EIN can also be applied for online through the IRS website. If you need financing, you will need to create a business plan. Here are some helpful tips for getting started.
Step 1
Find an adequate building to lease or purchase. The property must be zoned for a restaurant. Zoning is different for each county or city, so check your local zoning rules. Many zoning rules can be checked on the Internet, but if your county does not have an extensive website, you will need to call the proper authorities once you find a property. In the alternative, you can have a mobile BBQ business. You will need a truck with towing capabilities and a smoker that is mobile.
Step 2
Purchase the proper equipment. You will need, at a minimum, a walk-in cooler, a large freezer or walk-in freezer, a large oven, a medium-sized mixer, a hot box and various sheet pans, baking racks and rack covers. Baking racks are great for storing meat in the walk-in and will enable you to roll all the meat needed to the prep area. If the property you found was previously a restaurant, it may have walk-in coolers and freezers already installed.
Step 3
Look for local wholesalers for goods, such as chicken, pork, beef, ingredients for barbecue sauce and coleslaw. Once you find a few, give them a call to check their prices. Set up accounts with the wholesalers you choose--keeping in mind that quality is a big consideration. The cheapest may not always have the best quality. You may have to pre-pay for purchases, but some wholesalers will set up a credit account for you.
Step 4
Create a menu for the BBQ and side dishes you will sell. Set prices for the finished product. Prices should take into account things, such as employee labor and the cost of the building in addition to the cost of the goods used to make the finished product.
Step 5
Advertise the new business. Start advertising at least two months in advance. Set up a grand opening, offering free samples of the BBQ and side dishes. Advertise the grand opening at least a month ahead of time. Create a press release about the grand opening and send it to the local newspapers.
Skill: Moderate
Keyword: BBQ
