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How much to charge for cupcake party?

post #1 of 13
6/10/12 at 6:57am
Thread Starter 
Good Morningicon_smile.gif

I've been asked to do a " Fancy Nancy" cupcake party for 16; 5 yr old girls. I will be providing the baked cupcakes and instructing the girls on how to decorate cupcakes; along with bringing all of the decorations for the girls to decorate. I will also be providing treat bags for them to take home.
Does anyone have any ideas what my pricing should be?

Thanks so much for your help

Cathy
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post #2 of 13
6/10/12 at 7:30am
That sounds fun! How much will your supplies cost you, and how long will the party last? Are you hosting it yourself or traveling to another site?
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post #3 of 13
6/10/12 at 8:03am
I just purchased a cupcake party a few months ago for my daughter turning 5. There were about 12 5 year olds as well. The party was held at the cupcake shop. They say they charge $99 for a party, but when they released their Groupon for $75 they said their party was normally $150. So, I think there was some deceit there, but either way. They're either charging $99 or $150 for a cupcake party providing 30 cupcakes, icing, and some toppings. That's it. Oh, and the space, but the space is open anyway because they're a storefront selling cupcakes.

Hope that helps give you an idea on what's typical to charge.
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post #4 of 13
6/10/12 at 8:12am
One thing to look out for before you agree to do this are the food safety laws in your state. If you bake from home, you are not allowed to sell food in some states (unless you have a licensed and inspected commercial kitchen), while other states allow you to do so with a Cottage Food Law.

You'll also want to make sure you are covered with liability insurance, especially when dealing with young kids.

Add up these overhead costs on a per-order basis, your ingredient costs, and your labor (for both making the cupcakes and teaching the kids), then add your profit margin, which will vary depending on the market in your area.
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post #5 of 13
6/10/12 at 8:23am
These are five year olds. A disposable icing bag per child and plastic tips are the right speed for them. You can show them a basic shell border and a star flower using the same tip.

The rest of the time they will make squiggles on their cupcakes to take home. So your goodie bag should be scaled to their age. I think that $10 per child for the cake and icing and short lesson will do. But you know your local prices for the other stuff.
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post #6 of 13
6/10/12 at 8:34am
Thread Starter 
Hi Everyone

Thank you all for your fast repliesicon_smile.gif

The event will be at a local school; and be approx 2 hrs long. I'm bringing everything to the school. And Jason; yes I am a licensed and insured Catering and Bakery.
This request kind of threw me as it the first request for a tutorial as well as baked items; but it sure sounds like fun ( Pink and Sparkley is my favorite thing LOL)!!

Another local Bakery charges $100.00 for first 8 people; then $15.00 per additional person at their store. I"m just trying to figure out a fair price icon_smile.gif

I feel that is a bit high for a standard cupcake; but I will be traveling and instructing.

Your input is greatly appreciated

Thanks again for everyone's help!

Cathy
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post #7 of 13
6/10/12 at 8:38am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ch5964



Another local Bakery charges $100.00 for first 8 people; then $15.00 per additional person at their store. I"m just trying to figure out a fair price icon_smile.gif

I feel that is a bit high for a standard cupcake; but I will be traveling and instructing.


That sounds about right, based on what I routinely pay when planning birthday parties for my children. You must remember that this event is about entertainment, not about "a cupcake". I suspect that when you calculate your supply costs + travel costs + planning time + travel time + instruction time, you'll come out pretty close to the above price, if you're paying yourself a professional wage. icon_biggrin.gif
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post #8 of 13
6/10/12 at 8:40am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ch5964

Another local Bakery charges $100.00 for first 8 people; then $15.00 per additional person at their store. I"m just trying to figure out a fair price icon_smile.gif

I feel that is a bit high for a standard cupcake; but I will be traveling and instructing.


That sounds fair to me, it's not quite the same thing but we charge in the $70/hour range (for class time only) for baking lessons.

We've provided cakes and cupcakes for several schools over the years, and some schools do not allow nuts on premises (or products contaminated with nuts) so that's something else to look out for, if you use nuts that is.
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post #9 of 13
6/10/12 at 8:42am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by BakingIrene

These are five year olds. A disposable icing bag per child and plastic tips are the right speed for them. You can show them a basic shell border and a star flower using the same tip.

The rest of the time they will make squiggles on their cupcakes to take home. So your goodie bag should be scaled to their age. I think that $10 per child for the cake and icing and short lesson will do. But you know your local prices for the other stuff.



Hi BakingIrene

$10.00 per is what I was thinking too. I was planning on the disposable icing bags and plastic tips. The teacher would like them to eat their creations at the school; so I am throwing in some fun little gift bags with candy; bubble gum etc.. for them to take home with themicon_smile.gifThanks again for your help
Cathy
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post #10 of 13
6/10/12 at 8:45am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by jason_kraft

Quote:
Originally Posted by ch5964

Another local Bakery charges $100.00 for first 8 people; then $15.00 per additional person at their store. I"m just trying to figure out a fair price icon_smile.gif

I feel that is a bit high for a standard cupcake; but I will be traveling and instructing.


That sounds fair to me, it's not quite the same thing but we charge in the $70/hour range (for class time only) for baking lessons.

We've provided cakes and cupcakes for several schools over the years, and some schools do not allow nuts on premises (or products contaminated with nuts) so that's something else to look out for, if you use nuts that is.



Hi Jason
Good point on the nuts and allergies; I have them myself and always ask about allergies before I prepare anything.

Thank you again icon_smile.gif

Cathy
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post #11 of 13
6/10/12 at 8:50am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by kelleym

Quote:
Originally Posted by ch5964



Another local Bakery charges $100.00 for first 8 people; then $15.00 per additional person at their store. I"m just trying to figure out a fair price icon_smile.gif

I feel that is a bit high for a standard cupcake; but I will be traveling and instructing.


That sounds about right, based on what I routinely pay when planning birthday parties for my children. You must remember that this event is about entertainment, not about "a cupcake". I suspect that when you calculate your supply costs + travel costs + planning time + travel time + instruction time, you'll come out pretty close to the above price, if you're paying yourself a professional wage. icon_biggrin.gif



Thank you Kellym... I appreciate your helpicon_smile.gif

Cathy
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post #12 of 13
6/10/12 at 10:31pm
The one thing I want to add is something I didn't see in the above posts.

CLEANUP!!!!!

This will be a mess no matter how good they are, especially if sprinkles are involved too. The grease from the frosting will be everywhere too. So please make sure you add that time in to leave the place as you found it. And don't forget the floor.

In my buffet pricing, that was the one thing I got wrong at first. Those jars and platters are packed up, fine, I charged for that. But when I got back, the glass had to be hand washed and air dried. I soon learned that the job does not wash itself or put itself away.

Good luck with that party. We are getting together the supplies for princess and fairy parties featuring high tea for little girls that will still feature the cupcakes... fairy dust, wings, and wands too. That will have a hefty cleanup charge. By the way, the investment is not that much more, but the option to add this is a good additional source of revenue.
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post #13 of 13
6/11/12 at 4:00am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by scp1127

The one thing I want to add is something I didn't see in the above posts.

CLEANUP!!!!!

This will be a mess no matter how good they are, especially if sprinkles are involved too. The grease from the frosting will be everywhere too. So please make sure you add that time in to leave the place as you found it. And don't forget the floor.

In my buffet pricing, that was the one thing I got wrong at first. Those jars and platters are packed up, fine, I charged for that. But when I got back, the glass had to be hand washed and air dried. I soon learned that the job does not wash itself or put itself away.

Good luck with that party. We are getting together the supplies for princess and fairy parties featuring high tea for little girls that will still feature the cupcakes... fairy dust, wings, and wands too. That will have a hefty cleanup charge. By the way, the investment is not that much more, but the option to add this is a good additional source of revenue.



Hi scp

Can I ask what you will be charging per girl for your princess party?

Cathy
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