BBQ Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

BBQ Business Plan

You’ve come to the right place to create your BBQ business plan.

We have helped over 1,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans and many have used them to start or grow their BBQ businesses.

Below is a template to help you create each section of your barbecue business plan.
 

Sample BBQ Restaurant Business Plan

Executive Summary

Business Overview

Mobile BBQ is a new BBQ food truck located in Mobile, Alabama. We provide our customers with delicious, authentic BBQ entrees that they can enjoy while working or walking around downtown Mobile. Some of the offerings on our menu include brisket, pulled pork, and BBQ chicken. We aim to be the #1 BBQ restaurant in Mobile by serving authentic southern BBQ cuisine that everyone will enjoy.

Mobile BBQ is led by Chad Anderson who has worked at another BBQ restaurant for several years as a chef and a manager. His experience in the industry has given him the knowledge, skills, and expertise needed to make his dream food truck business a success.

 

Product Offering

Mobile BBQ will offer a delicious variety of BBQ entrees for the residents of Mobile to enjoy, such as brisket, pulled pork, ribs, and chicken. We will also serve sides with every entree as well as beverages for an additional cost.

 

Customer Focus

Mobile BBQ will serve the residents of Mobile, Alabama. The residents of Mobile enjoy quality southern cuisine, including authentic BBQ, so they will be eager to try out our food truck. Mobile BBQ will also be a convenient location for tourists who want to try out local cuisine and local workers who need a quick and convenient lunch option.

 

Management Team

Chad Anderson has been working at a local BBQ restaurant for several years, operating as both a chef and a manager. As such, he not only has in-depth knowledge of BBQ cuisine but also knows how to run a restaurant business. This has made him highly equipped with the knowledge, skills, and expertise needed to make this food truck venture a success.

 

Success Factors

Mobile BBQ will be able to achieve success by offering the following competitive advantages:

  • Mobile BBQ will be located in a convenient downtown location, giving us access to commuters, local office workers, students, and passersby.
  • The food truck offers high-quality southern BBQ cuisine for a moderate price.
  • Chad has lived in Mobile his entire life, and knows several influencers and local leaders who can help build awareness for Mobile BBQ.

 

Financial Highlights

Mobile BBQ is seeking $275,000 in debt financing to launch. The breakout of the funding is below:

  • Food truck purchase and maintenance: $100,000
  • Kitchen supplies and equipment: $100,000
  • Opening inventory: $25,000
  • Working capital (to include 3 months of overhead expenses): $25,000
  • Marketing: $25,000

The following graph outlines the pro forma financial projections for Mobile BBQ:

Mobile BBQ Financial Projections

 

Company Overview

Who is Mobile BBQ?

Mobile BBQ is a new BBQ food truck located in Mobile, Alabama. We provide our customers with delicious, authentic BBQ entrees that they can enjoy while working or walking around downtown Mobile. Some of the offerings on our menu include brisket, pulled pork, and BBQ chicken. We aim to be the #1 BBQ restaurant in Mobile by serving authentic southern BBQ cuisine that everyone will enjoy.

 
Mobile BBQ is the dream of Chad Anderson. He has been a chef at a local BBQ restaurant for several years, and has spent that time experimenting and creating new delicious BBQ recipes. He recently completed the initial menu for the business and is now ready to buy a truck and find a convenient downtown location.

 

Mobile BBQ’s History

After spending several years in the restaurant industry, Chad Anderson gained the knowledge, skills, and expertise to start his own food truck. In April 2023, he quit his job as a chef and incorporated Mobile BBQ as an LLC.

Since incorporation, Chad has achieved the following milestones for Mobile BBQ:

  • Developed the company’s name, logo and website
  • Finished the menu
  • Determined equipment and inventory requirements
  • Found a potential food truck and location

 

Mobile BBQ’s Services

Mobile BBQ will offer a delicious variety of BBQ entrees for the residents of Mobile to enjoy. Some of the entrees we will serve include:

  • BBQ Chicken
  • Pulled Pork
  • Brisket
  • Ribs
  • Chicken Skewers

All meals are served with a side of french fries, cole slaw, beans, or potato salad. Customers will also have a select list of sodas and other non-alcoholic beverages to choose from.

 

Industry Analysis

The BBQ restaurant industry is expected to grow substantially over the next five years. This is primarily due to rising consumer spending in various food industries, including the BBQ industry. BBQ has been a staple cuisine in America for centuries and there is no sign that demand for BBQ cuisine will slow down anytime soon.

One challenge to the industry is a recent change in American diets. In recent years, Americans have not only become more health-conscious, but they also have switched to plant based diets. This has led many Americans to stop eating out and avoid meat altogether. BBQ restaurants that can offer healthy and plant based alternatives are more likely to adapt to this change.

The way operators use technology will also become increasingly important to the industry’s performance as consumers increasingly use their smartphones or tablets to order. BBQ restaurants that offer order ahead options or a seamless register experience are more likely to keep a consistent customer base.

 

Customer Analysis

Demographic Profile of Target Market

Mobile BBQ will serve the residents of Mobile, Alabama as well as tourists. Both residents who live in Mobile and tourists who are just visiting love authentic southern BBQ and will be excited to see a convenient BBQ food truck located in the heart of downtown Mobile.

The demographics of Mobile, Alabama are as follows:

TotalPercent
    Total population1,680,988100%
        Male838,67549.9%
        Female842,31350.1%
        20 to 24 years114,8726.8%
        25 to 34 years273,58816.3%
        35 to 44 years235,94614.0%
        45 to 54 years210,25612.5%
        55 to 59 years105,0576.2%
        60 to 64 years87,4845.2%
        65 to 74 years116,8787.0%
        75 to 84 years52,5243.1%

 

Customer Segmentation

Mobile BBQ will primarily target the following customer profile:

  • Local workers
  • Tourists
  • Pedestrians

 

Competitive Analysis

Direct and Indirect Competitors

Mobile BBQ will face competition from other companies with similar business profiles. A description of each competitor company is below.

 

BBQ Haven

BBQ Haven has been a local favorite since its opening in 1988. This competitor offers the best local inspired BBQ cuisine and is currently the #1 BBQ restaurant in the region. Since opening, BBQ Haven has opened three more locations, ensuring residents from all corners of Mobile, Alabama have easy access to their menu.

BBQ Haven’s menu features a range of BBQ entrees, including brisket, pork, and chicken sandwiches. They also offer a kid’s menu, a diverse beverage list, and non-BBQ entrees.

 

BBQ Garden

BBQ Garden is a new restaurant on the scene that only just opened last year. It is a unique BBQ restaurant, as it offers a completely plant-based menu for those who enjoy BBQ but want to be more health-conscious. Some of their offerings include bbq vegan chicken sandwiches, tofu skewers, and veggie burgers. BBQ Garden has already seen great success, with critics and residents alike leaving raving reviews.

 

Chuck’s BBQ

Chuck’s BBQ is a regional BBQ restaurant chain with three locations in Mobile. This restaurant offers the atmosphere and menu you would expect from a BBQ restaurant and typically has several television sets tuned to local sports or news to entertain their customers. Residents can easily relax and have a good time at Chuck’s while indulging in either a delicious burger, brisket, ribs, or BBQ chicken sandwich.

 

Competitive Advantage

Mobile BBQ will be able to offer the following advantages over their competition:

  • Location: Mobile BBQ is located downtown, giving us access to commuters, local office workers, students, and passersby.
  • Great BBQ at an affordable price: Mobile BBQ offers the best southern BBQ cuisine in the area for a moderate price that everyone can afford.
  • Relationships: Having lived in Mobile his entire life and having worked in the restaurant industry for the past 10 years, Chad has connections with local leaders, important people in the restaurant industry, and other influencers. As such, it will be relatively easy for us to build branding and awareness of our food truck.

 

Marketing Plan

Brand & Value Proposition

Mobile BBQ’s marketing plan is centered around its unique value proposition:

  • Quality southern BBQ
  • Moderate pricing
  • Convenient downtown location
  • Excellent customer service

 

Promotions Strategy

The promotions strategy for Mobile BBQ is as follows:

Sampling

Mobile BBQ will initially give free samples to passersby to enable them to taste the quality of our products and learn about us.

Website/SEO

Mobile BBQ will develop a professional website that showcases pictures of our most popular menu offerings. It will also invest in SEO so that the company’s website will appear at the top of search engine results.

Social Media

Chad Anderson will create the company’s social media accounts and invest in ads on all social media platforms. These accounts will showcase pictures of the truck and popular items on the menu. He will use targeted marketing to appeal to our target demographics.

Word of Mouth & Referrals

Mobile BBQ is confident that its existing loyal clients will spread the word and refer the truck to residents who may not be familiar with it. The food we serve speaks for itself and word will quickly spread around town of the delicious BBQ entrees that Mobile BBQ has to offer.

 

Pricing

Mobile BBQ’s pricing will be moderate so customers feel they are receiving great value when buying from our menu.

 

Operations Plan

The following will be the operations plan for Mobile BBQ.
Operation Functions:

  • Chad Anderson will be the Owner of Mobile BBQ. He will have a hand in all aspects of the business, including cooking the food, processing payments, providing customer service, marketing the business, and taking care of the company’s accounting.
  • At the start, Chad will work by himself. If he gets enough consistent business, he will hire another person to help him take orders and cook the food.

 

Milestones:

Mobile BBQ aims to achieve the following goals in the next six months.

  • 6/1/202X – Purchase the food truck
  • 7/1/202X – Finalize menu
  • 8/1/202X – Begin marketing campaign
  • 9/1/202X – Grand opening of Mobile BBQ
  • 10/1/202X – Reach break-even

 

Management Team

Mobile BBQ is the dream of Chad Anderson. He has been a chef at a local BBQ restaurant for several years, and has spent that time experimenting and creating new delicious BBQ meals. Throughout his career, Chad has learned all aspects of running and working in a restaurant, including the management and operations aspects of the business. This has made him highly equipped with the knowledge, skills, and expertise needed to make this food truck venture a success.

 

Financial Plan for a Barbecue Business

Key Revenue & Costs

The key revenues of Mobile BBQ will come from the sale of our entrees, side dishes, and drinks.

The major cost drivers for the company will include truck maintenance costs, supplies and inventory, and marketing expenses.

 

Funding Requirements and Use of Funds

Mobile BBQ is seeking $275,000 in debt financing to launch. The funding will be dedicated for the purchase of the food truck, supplies and equipment, working capital, three months worth of working capital, and opening inventory. The breakout of the funding is below:

  • Food truck purchase and maintenance: $100,000
  • Kitchen supplies and equipment: $100,000
  • Opening inventory: $25,000
  • Working capital (to include 3 months of overhead expenses): $25,000
  • Marketing: $25,000

 

Key Assumptions

The following table outlines the key assumptions required in order to achieve the revenue and cost numbers in the financials and pay off the business loan.

  • Number of Customers Per Day: 50
  • Average Order Value Per Customer: $15.00
  • Annual Truck Maintenance Costs: $20,000

 

Financial Projections

Income Statement
FY 1FY 2FY 3FY 4FY 5
Revenues
Total Revenues$360,000$793,728$875,006$964,606$1,063,382
Expenses & Costs
Cost of goods sold$64,800$142,871$157,501$173,629$191,409
Lease$50,000$51,250$52,531$53,845$55,191
Marketing$10,000$8,000$8,000$8,000$8,000
Salaries$157,015$214,030$235,968$247,766$260,155
Initial expenditure$10,000$0$0$0$0
Total Expenses & Costs$291,815$416,151$454,000$483,240$514,754
EBITDA$68,185 $377,577 $421,005 $481,366 $548,628
Depreciation$27,160$27,160 $27,160 $27,160 $27,160
EBIT$41,025 $350,417 $393,845$454,206$521,468
Interest$23,462$20,529 $17,596 $14,664 $11,731
PRETAX INCOME$17,563 $329,888 $376,249 $439,543 $509,737
Net Operating Loss$0$0$0$0$0
Use of Net Operating Loss$0$0$0$0$0
Taxable Income$17,563$329,888$376,249$439,543$509,737
Income Tax Expense$6,147$115,461$131,687$153,840$178,408
NET INCOME$11,416 $214,427 $244,562 $285,703 $331,329
Balance Sheet
FY 1FY 2FY 3FY 4FY 5
ASSETS
Cash$154,257$348,760$573,195$838,550$1,149,286
Accounts receivable$0$0$0$0$0
Inventory$30,000$33,072$36,459$40,192$44,308
Total Current Assets$184,257$381,832$609,654$878,742$1,193,594
Fixed assets$180,950$180,950$180,950$180,950$180,950
Depreciation$27,160$54,320$81,480$108,640 $135,800
Net fixed assets$153,790 $126,630 $99,470 $72,310 $45,150
TOTAL ASSETS$338,047$508,462$709,124$951,052$1,238,744
LIABILITIES & EQUITY
Debt$315,831$270,713$225,594$180,475 $135,356
Accounts payable$10,800$11,906$13,125$14,469 $15,951
Total Liability$326,631 $282,618 $238,719 $194,944 $151,307
Share Capital$0$0$0$0$0
Retained earnings$11,416 $225,843 $470,405 $756,108$1,087,437
Total Equity$11,416$225,843$470,405$756,108$1,087,437
TOTAL LIABILITIES & EQUITY$338,047$508,462$709,124$951,052$1,238,744
Cash Flow Statement
FY 1FY 2FY 3FY 4FY 5
CASH FLOW FROM OPERATIONS
Net Income (Loss)$11,416 $214,427 $244,562 $285,703$331,329
Change in working capital($19,200)($1,966)($2,167)($2,389)($2,634)
Depreciation$27,160 $27,160 $27,160 $27,160 $27,160
Net Cash Flow from Operations$19,376 $239,621 $269,554 $310,473 $355,855
CASH FLOW FROM INVESTMENTS
Investment($180,950)$0$0$0$0
Net Cash Flow from Investments($180,950)$0$0$0$0
CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING
Cash from equity$0$0$0$0$0
Cash from debt$315,831 ($45,119)($45,119)($45,119)($45,119)
Net Cash Flow from Financing$315,831 ($45,119)($45,119)($45,119)($45,119)
Net Cash Flow$154,257$194,502 $224,436 $265,355$310,736
Cash at Beginning of Period$0$154,257$348,760$573,195$838,550
Cash at End of Period$154,257$348,760$573,195$838,550$1,149,286

BBQ Business Plan FAQs

A BBQ business plan is a plan to start and/or grow your BBQ business. Among other things, it outlines your business concept, identifies your target customers, presents your marketing plan and details your financial projections.

You can easily complete your BBQ business plan using our BBQ Business Plan Template here.

There are a number of different kinds of bbq businesses, some examples include: BBQ Catering, BBQ Food Truck, BBQ Restaurant, and Korean BBQ.

BBQ businesses are often funded through small business loans. Personal savings, credit card financing and angel investors are also popular forms of funding.

Starting a BBQ business can be an exciting endeavor. Having a clear roadmap of the steps to start a business will help you stay focused on your goals and get started faster.

1. Develop A BBQ Business Plan - The first step in starting a business is to create a detailed BBQ business plan that outlines all aspects of the venture. This should include potential market size and target customers, the services or products you will offer, pricing strategies and a detailed financial forecast. 

2. Choose Your Legal Structure - It's important to select an appropriate legal entity for your BBQ business. This could be a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks so it’s important to do research and choose wisely so that your BBQ business is in compliance with local laws.

3. Register Your BBQ Business - Once you have chosen a legal structure, the next step is to register your BBQ business with the government or state where you’re operating from. This includes obtaining licenses and permits as required by federal, state, and local laws.

4. Identify Financing Options - It’s likely that you’ll need some capital to start your BBQ business, so take some time to identify what financing options are available such as bank loans, investor funding, grants, or crowdfunding platforms.

5. Choose a Location - Whether you plan on operating out of a physical location or not, you should always have an idea of where you’ll be based should it become necessary in the future as well as what kind of space would be suitable for your operations.

6. Hire Employees - There are several ways to find qualified employees including job boards like LinkedIn or Indeed as well as hiring agencies if needed – depending on what type of employees you need it might also be more effective to reach out directly through networking events.

7. Acquire Necessary BBQ Equipment & Supplies - In order to start your BBQ business, you'll need to purchase all of the necessary equipment and supplies to run a successful operation. 

8. Market & Promote Your Business - Once you have all the necessary pieces in place, it’s time to start promoting and marketing your BBQ business. This includes creating a website, utilizing social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter, and having an effective Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy. You should also consider traditional marketing techniques such as radio or print advertising.