BBQ Catering Cost for 150 Guests
Catering BBQ for 150 guests (pulled pork and chicken, three sides, staffed buffet) costs about $2,829.58 to produce, $18.86 per guest. A sustainable price is about $23.58 per guest.
Meat to buy
| Meat | Cooked | Raw | Buy | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pulled Pork | 23.7 lb | 43.1 lb | 6 × pork butt | $120.00 |
| Grilled Chicken | 38.8 lb | 51.5 lb | 52 lb | $130.00 |
Sides in pans
| Side | Pounds | Pans | One full pan feeds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Macaroni and cheese | 41.3 | 4 half deep pans | 97 |
| Baked beans | 41.3 | 4 half deep pans | 110 |
| Coleslaw | 41.3 | 4 half deep pans | 93 |
Costs
| Food (meat, sides, rolls) | $632.50 |
| Plates, cutlery, napkins | $180.00 |
| Charcoal | $69.00 |
| Labor | $1,254.00 |
| Travel | $0.00 |
| Rentals | $325.00 |
| Overhead | $369.08 |
| Full cost | $2,829.58 |
|---|
Cost and price by service style, 150 guests
| Service | Full cost | Cost per guest | Suggested price per guest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drop-off | $1,671.53 | $11.14 | $14.06 |
| Staffed buffet | $2,829.58 | $18.86 | $23.58 |
| Plated | $3,890.45 | $25.94 | $32.42 |
By menu
Full cost → suggested price per guest. For comparison, published 2025–2026 BBQ catering prices run about $15–30 per guest for drop-off, $25–50 for a staffed buffet and $40–75+ for full service (market guide).
| Menu | Drop-off | Staffed buffet | Plated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pulled pork + chicken | $11.14 → $14.06 | $18.86 → $23.58 | $25.94 → $32.42 |
| Brisket + pulled pork | $13.08 → $17.52 | $20.61 → $25.76 | $27.86 → $34.82 |
| Ribs + chicken | $11.53 → $21.17 | $20.01 → $25.02 | $26.27 → $32.84 |
How we calculate
- Meat uses the same formula as the portion calculator above: guests × cooked pounds per guest × share of the menu × service factor (buffet 1.2) × sides factor + waste buffer, then the raw factor. Butts are rounded to whole 8 lb butts, briskets to 13 lb packers, ribs to 2 lb racks.
- Sides: pounds = guests × ounces ÷ 16 + waste. Quarts = pounds ÷ density (USDA cup weights). Pans hold 85% of brim volume: a deep full pan 12.1 qt, a deep half pan 5.7 qt.
- Staff: one buffet attendant per 35 guests or one server per 11 plated guests (rules of thumb), plus a pitmaster for the cook and the event, and one more per 150 guests.
- Travel at the IRS business rate of 76¢ per mile (from July 1, 2026), round trip. Chafers: one per two half pans on the line.
- Full cost = food + supplies + charcoal + labor + travel + rentals, plus overhead. Price by food cost = food ÷ target %; by margin = full cost ÷ (1 − margin); markup = profit ÷ cost.
| Pan | Brim | Usable (85%) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full size 2.5in steam table pan | 9 qt | 7.65 qt | spec sheet |
| Full size 4in steam table pan | 14.2 qt | 12.07 qt | spec sheet |
| Half size 2.5in steam table pan | 4.3 qt | 3.66 qt | spec sheet |
| Half size 4in (deep) steam table pan | 6.7 qt | 5.7 qt | spec sheet |
| Third size 2.5in steam table pan | 2.5 qt | 2.13 qt | spec sheet |
| Third size 4in steam table pan | 4.1 qt | 3.49 qt | spec sheet |
| Foil full size deep pan (Handi-foil) | 10.81 qt | 9.19 qt | spec sheet |
| Foil half size deep pan (Handi-foil 8440) | 3.75 qt | 3.19 qt | spec sheet |
Prices use our planning meat prices; side costs are ingredient estimates. Food-cost target 28–35% and overhead 15–25% are common industry ranges. Data as of Oct 2026. Full list of sources: How we calculate.
| Side | Density | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Macaroni and cheese | 2.03 lb/qt | USDA cup weight |
| Baked beans | 2.29 lb/qt | USDA cup weight |
| Coleslaw | 1.94 lb/qt | USDA cup weight |
| Corn kernels (frozen; cooked) | 1.50 lb/qt | USDA cup weight |
| Green beans (cooked) | 1.28 lb/qt | USDA cup weight |
| Collard greens (fresh; cooked with oil) | 1.19 lb/qt | USDA cup weight |
| Mashed potatoes (home-prepared) | 2.21 lb/qt | USDA cup weight |
| Banana pudding | 1.68 lb/qt | USDA cup weight |
Related
FAQ
How much does BBQ catering for 150 people cost?
About $18.86 per guest to produce a staffed buffet of pulled pork and chicken with three sides, or $2,830 in total. Caterers typically charge about $23.58 per guest or more.
How much meat for 150 people catering?
6 × pork butt (43.1 lb raw) of pulled pork, 52 lb (51.5 lb raw) of grilled chicken for a two-meat buffet.
How many pans of sides for 150 people?
Macaroni and cheese: 4 half deep pans; Baked beans: 4 half deep pans; Coleslaw: 4 half deep pans, at 4 oz per guest.
How many staff to serve 150 guests?
5 buffet attendants plus a pitmaster and a second cook.