Pancake Breakfast

What it is

Your club cooks and serves pancakes, sausage, coffee, and juice for a set price, usually on a Saturday morning in a church hall, school cafeteria, or fire station. Tickets can be sold ahead and at the door.

Typical net: $800 to $3,000 (rough estimate only. Donated food and a free hall make the biggest difference.)

Step by step

8 weeks out

• Pick a date and book the hall and kitchen
• Set the ticket price
• Ask stores for donated food

6 weeks out

• Order or confirm tickets
• Recruit volunteers
• Ask about a food permit

4 weeks out

• Start selling advance tickets
• Put up flyers
• Send a note to the local paper

2 weeks out

• Order food and paper goods
• Make a shift schedule

1 week out

• Confirm volunteers by phone
• Count advance sales and adjust food order

Day before

• Shop for fresh items
• Set up tables
• Get cash box ready with change

Day of

• Arrive 2 hours early
• Start griddles
• Open doors
• Clean up and count money with two people

Tips that work

• Use a batter pitcher or squeeze bottle, not a ladle. It's faster and neater.
• One 5-lb bag of mix makes about 100 pancakes; plan 3 per adult.
• Let kids under 5 eat free. Families come, and parents buy tickets.
• Put a donation jar by the coffee. Many people round up.
• Ask a local business to sponsor the syrup or coffee in exchange for a sign on the table.

Volunteer jobs

• Chair: Leads planning and is the go-to person
• Cooks (3–6): Run griddles and sausage
• Servers (3–4): Plate food and refill coffee
• Ticket table (2): Take tickets and cash
• Bussers (2): Clear and wipe tables
• Clean-up crew: Washes and returns the kitchen

Supplies

• Pancake mix, syrup, butter
• Sausage
• Coffee, juice, milk
• Plates, cups, forks, napkins
• Griddles and spatulas
• Serving trays and pitchers
• Trash bags
• Cash box and change
• Signs and price board
• Hand-washing station and gloves

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

• Sell tickets at every club meeting
• Ask churches to list it in their bulletins
• Post flyers at the grocery store, library, and diner
• Give each member 10 tickets to sell

Sample announcement

Come hungry! The [Club name] Pancake Breakfast is Saturday, [date], 7–11 AM at [place]. All-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage, coffee and juice for $[price] (kids $[price]). Every dollar helps [cause]. Tickets from any member or at the door.

On the day

• Unlock hall and turn on griddles
• Set up ticket table and cash box
• Put up signs outside
• Coffee brewing before doors open
• Take photos for your newsletter
• Count money with two people
• Leave the kitchen cleaner than you found it