BBQ Catering Cost for 50 Guests
Catering BBQ for 50 guests (pulled pork and chicken, three sides, staffed buffet) costs about $1,183.35 to produce, $23.67 per guest. A sustainable price is about $29.58 per guest.
Meat to buy
| Meat | Cooked | Raw | Buy | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pulled Pork | 7.9 lb | 14.4 lb | 2 × pork butt | $40.00 |
| Grilled Chicken | 12.9 lb | 17.2 lb | 18 lb | $45.00 |
Sides in pans
| Side | Pounds | Pans | One full pan feeds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Macaroni and cheese | 13.8 | 2 half deep pans | 97 |
| Baked beans | 13.8 | 2 half deep pans | 110 |
| Coleslaw | 13.8 | 2 half deep pans | 93 |
Costs
| Food (meat, sides, rolls) | $212.50 |
| Plates, cutlery, napkins | $60.00 |
| Charcoal | $34.50 |
| Labor | $572.00 |
| Travel | $0.00 |
| Rentals | $150.00 |
| Overhead | $154.35 |
| Full cost | $1,183.35 |
|---|
Cost and price by service style, 50 guests
| Service | Full cost | Cost per guest | Suggested price per guest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drop-off | $681.95 | $13.64 | $17.05 |
| Staffed buffet | $1,183.35 | $23.67 | $29.58 |
| Plated | $1,554.23 | $31.08 | $38.86 |
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 | $13.64 → $17.05 | $23.67 → $29.58 | $31.08 → $38.86 |
| Brisket + pulled pork | $17.01 → $21.26 | $26.46 → $33.08 | $34.05 → $42.56 |
| Ribs + chicken | $12.82 → $21.50 | $23.43 → $29.28 | $30.15 → $37.69 |
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 50 people cost?
About $23.67 per guest to produce a staffed buffet of pulled pork and chicken with three sides, or $1,183 in total. Caterers typically charge about $29.58 per guest or more.
How much meat for 50 people catering?
2 × pork butt (14.4 lb raw) of pulled pork, 18 lb (17.2 lb raw) of grilled chicken for a two-meat buffet.
How many pans of sides for 50 people?
Macaroni and cheese: 2 half deep pans; Baked beans: 2 half deep pans; Coleslaw: 2 half deep pans, at 4 oz per guest.
How many staff to serve 50 guests?
2 buffet attendants plus a pitmaster.