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catering

771 views 8 replies 6 participants last post by  meezenplaz 
#1 ·
I have a very vital question. I just moved to a neighborhood and I am opening a bistro this Sunday.

The neigborhood Association wants me to cater for 75 people on their next meeting and they only have 500.00 Their demand is heavy appetizers and 2 meats.

This amount of money is not enough. What should I do?
 
#4 · (Edited)
Another way you can look at this is, you being new to the business neighborhood and wanting to make a positive

impression, that trying to accommodate them can be a wise and ultimately profitable investment.

The trick is not to get yourself locked in to a low price, now and foreverrrrrr morrrre.

I would start by working the numbers to determine a reasonable charge for exactly what they want. Depending on

how much past what they want to PAY that figure is, you can then write it up that way, and then tell them you're

willing to discount them down to the 500, (or however less is reasonable and you're willing to do) this occasion

only, in the interest of helping each other out.

Now, whether you CAN do this for 500, depends a lot on what they want. You didn't say how many appetizers,

but you can certainly make some cheap appetizers and meats for 75 people with that budget, and most

definitely if you're willing to forego some profit.
 
#6 ·
500/75= 6.66pp

Tell them to order off your menu like everyone else. Do you have apps and " meats" that fit into this price range?

Just put out the food they order, early birds get s snack, late people can order off the menu.

You must be honest and open with people when they order, or inquire about, evey call cannot be a hassle/ deal: your new lets rip ya off. When they say 500 you send them a menu..... Or a two proposal, one with very little on it and also one with what you would suggest is appropriate.

I hope you have a business plan and menu. Stick to it. If you have an advertising budget this might be a place to spend it. Id think not though.

Good luck with the bistro!
 
#8 · (Edited)
That's only $6.66 per person Apps yes meats  no unless they want Bologna and Liverwurst. and you are the only labor factor
 
#9 ·
Well see the whole thing is how much, over and above FC, one is wiling to donate "to the cause" 

in this case good relations, in terms of labor, effort and forfeiture of profit. 

I could feed 75 cheapskates apps and a couple cheapo meats for the decidedly evil figure of $6.66 per

person, but I would be essentially donating most of my time and would make zero profit. 

Might be worth it....but probably not, as I tend to share Mike's opinion on HO associations.
 
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