In this episode of Barbecue Catering Smarts, Michael Attias sits down with Mark Avalos, founder of Stack City BBQ.

What started as backyard cookouts and weekend catering jobs has evolved into one of the most recognizable barbecue brands in Texas. Mark shares how he combined barbecue, hip-hop culture, hospitality, and relentless relationship-building to create a catering business that keeps customers coming back year after year.

Michael and Mark dive into the real drivers behind long-term catering growth — from creating memorable customer experiences and building venue relationships to standing out in a crowded barbecue market. Mark also opens up about growing from a trailer to multiple locations, navigating the challenges of COVID, and why consistency and responsiveness matter more than flashy marketing.

They also discuss the economics of barbecue catering, including managing brisket costs, structuring buffet lines strategically, maximizing profitability at events, and why catering clients ultimately care about reliability just as much as great food.

This episode is packed with actionable insights on branding, hospitality, referrals, customer service, and building a catering operation people trust enough to recommend repeatedly.

Barbecue Catering Smarts is sponsored by CaterZen Catering Software.