View Full Version : Help me plan my menu & advertising/displays


JustJen
March 16th, 2006, 08:16 PM
I own a catering business that runs mainly out of the local Farmer's Market. We've had a booth there for the last 10 years. We run May - October on Saturdays. This year we're doing every other Saturday(because I need a day off every once in a while).
I'm looking to add/modify my menu from past years. My husband is a classically trained chef so nothing is too challenging. Although our one challenge is, it must be something that can be made without electricity.
So either on a BBQ or in a deep fryer. Both of which we have.
We have regular customers who expect some of the same items, but we're hoping to figure out something new to bring out to the market.
We've been featured in the newspaper on several occasions and do very well.
The market we are at brings in about 10,000 customers per weekend.

Here is an example of our past menu:
Hot dogs, Corn dogs, Hamburgers, Cheeseburgers, Gardenburgers, Boca Burgers, Turkey Burgers, Bratwurst which are actually more of a kielbasa(on a bun or on a stick), Elephant ears, Doughnuts, Bentos (which around here means teriyaki chicken with a rice bowl) Teriyaki Chicken on a stick, Fresh squeezed lemonade, soda, coffee, tea, iced tea, juice box, milk, chocolate milk, hot chocolate. And on some occasions bagels and cream cheese.

There is a limited number of food vendors at the market. They include a mexican food stand, a breakfast place, and another bratwurst company. There is a starbucks across the street, another mexican restaurant down the street, a really awful pizza place and another expensive antique shop/espresso place.

I'll get to the advertising/display in a minute......

JustJen
March 16th, 2006, 08:33 PM
My registered business name is It's Your Party Catering. We have signage but are wanting to change it to something more professional.
Well, that and something easier to put up at 7am.
Our colors have always been blue and white so we're wanting to stick with that.
I've been looking into doing something like this....
http://www.caravancanopy.com/images/image_custom3.jpg
(We'd do it without the backdrop as it is a fire hazard)
It would be blue with white lettering. We would then have a sign with our menu and pricing.

I've always done it a little more country and down home. Basic white canopy with blue and white checkered table clothes, hand written cutesy signs.
This year we're wanting to invest a bit more in it and draw in as much business as possible. We'd like to have every day be one in which we sell out of product and make more.