BBQ Plate Sale

What it is

Your club cooks brisket, chicken, or pulled pork and sells plates with sides, mostly pre-sold, with pick-up or drive-through on one day.

Typical net: $1,000 to $4,000 (rough estimate only. Pre-selling tells you exactly how much meat to buy.)

Step by step

8 weeks out

• Pick date and pick-up spot
• Find pit masters

6 weeks out

• Price plates
• Print tickets

4 weeks out

• Start pre-sales

2 weeks out

• Ask about food permit

1 week out

• Cut off pre-sales and order meat

Day before

• Start the smoke overnight

Day of

• Plate, box, and hand out orders

Tips that work

• Plan about 1/3 lb of cooked meat per plate. Brisket loses about half its weight while cooking.
• Stop taking orders 5 days out so you can buy the right amount.
• Number every order and match it at pick-up.
• Sell 20–30 extra plates at the curb; they usually go.
• Businesses love ordering 10+ plates for staff lunch, so ask them.

Volunteer jobs

• Pit masters: Cook meat
• Sides crew: Beans, slaw, bread
• Plating line (4): Box the plates
• Pick-up table (2): Check names and take money
• Runners: Bring plates to cars

Supplies

• Meat, sides, bread, sauce
• To-go boxes and bags
• Forks and napkins
• Smokers and fuel
• Gloves and thermometers
• Pre-order list
• Cash box

Permits and insurance

• Call your county or city health department about a temporary food permit. Many require one for each event.
• Have at least one volunteer with a food handler card if your area requires it.
• Get a certificate of insurance from your venue, or ask your club's regional or national organization if your club is covered by a general liability policy.
• Keep hot food hot (above 135°F) and cold food cold (below 41°F).

General tips, not legal advice. Check with your city, county, and state.

Getting the word out

• Each member sells 10 plates
• Post pick-up time clearly
• Partner with a church or business for pick-up spot

Sample announcement

BBQ plates are back! The [Club name] is selling [brisket/chicken] plates with two sides and bread for $[price]. Pick up [date], 11 AM–1 PM at [place], drive-through, no waiting. Order by [deadline] from any member. Supports [cause].

On the day

• Meat temp checked
• Pre-order list printed
• Plates boxed
• Traffic helpers in place
• Count money with two people