Concessions Accommodate Snackers for Every Occasion

It’s a world of very diverse cultures. Depending on where we go, the social norms in that particular area may be completely unfamiliar to us; completely different than what we’re used to. But we can always find a few similarities between cultures, too. And one thing that most people around the world share is a penchant for snacking.

One would be hard pressed to find a gathering or event without some type of snack stand or series of concession carts nearby. Wherever people converge, whether it’s a festival, a sporting event or even a busy street, vendors will set up shop and have concession food and drinks available.

A concession stand may have a different “look” on a Calcutta street corner as opposed to one in Indianapolis, but the intent is the same: feed hungry people and quench their thirst! Especially during the summertime when festivals, carnivals and fairs are almost daily occurrences, the concession trailer business continues to prosper. On a hot day, refreshment seekers will flock to “snack shacks” for drinks to stay hydrated and may eventually give in to the tantalizing aroma drifting from a hot dog cooker.

Tailored to the Occasion

Concessionaires will do their best to customize the food and drink that they have available to fit the occasion. Hot dog machines and popcorn makers are customary for most concession stands. And you can add a nacho machine or hamburger grill at many youth sporting events or outdoor concerts. Candy bars, bag snacks and canned soft drinks will usually be available to support the “main courses.”

There are also “theme” foods that go hand-in-hand with certain occasions. What would an Oktoberfest celebration be without bratwurst, potato pancakes and Belgian waffles? Or carnivals without cotton candy?

Whatever the reason for a gathering and wherever it takes place, concessions will most likely be available to accommodate hungry and thirsty attendees.

Concessions are Woven into the Fabric of History

Concession carts and food stands in one form or another have been part of the human mosaic since time can remember. Street vendors once pedaled meats and breads in their small wooden makeshift shacks along the sides of dirt roads. And now the concession trailer business is pervasive in our society. Anywhere that there is a gathering or even a decent amount of foot traffic we'll find at least one food cart waiting to satisfy our need for food and drink.

We can imagine the food carts of days gone by where fruits, vegetables, wine and fish were sold as opposed to today’s fare of hot dogs, hamburgers and nachos. Wicker baskets instead of iced-down metal bins held produce. Meat was cooked on a crude rotisserie instead of on a hot dog cooker or gas-powered grill. Berries and nuts took the place of bag snacks and candy bars. And instead of popcorn makers and pizza warmers, some type of apparatus for the drying of beef to make jerky could have been in use.

It's probably safe to assume that today we have foods that are much more convenient and require much less preparation than the concession foods of old. There's no need to skin or scale when you can simply place a few hot dogs on a roller or throw a few hamburger patties on a grill. No need to peel or wash when you can simply place pre-packaged foods on a counter. Therefore, it may also be safe to conclude that the early concessionaires worked a little harder than present day vendors! But we have had time to evolve and simplify just about every facet of our lives, vending included.

The events people attended, the games they watched and the available concession fare was quite different in the days of old. But the basic concept was the same: Have food and drink available for the hungry and thirsty, and everybody profits.

Concession Classics Are Still Profit Packed

It’s easy to look at this photo from the late 1960s/early 70s and only notice how different times are now. Beside the obvious style changes, there aren’t TVs, computers, cell phones, or other distractions in the photos. Just two people hoping to make a lot of money with popcorn, cotton candy (Circus Candy), hot dogs, and sodas.

But the more things change, the more they stay the same. The foods that were big money-makers then are still profit packed today. You can have all the modern bells and whistles, but make sure you have the basics covered: popcorn, cotton candy, and Sno-Kones®.

The other big changes over the years have been the popularity of “new” foods like nachos, the number of pre-packaged items (cotton candy, nachos, or caramel corn) and increased flavor options. Basically, customers want good food fast, and want to more control over what they eat.

You can keep up with the demand without breaking the bank. Start small because too many options can lead to more confusion and slower wait time. And look around at what’s popular in your area.

Just like the people in this photo, your goal should be to appeal to customers with proven money makers and good customer service. Because when people 40 or 50 years from now look back at what we do today, they’ll be thinking how far they’ve come since “way back when” and marvel that we enjoyed some of the foods that are still timeless classics.