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.

Automatic and Traditional Concessions Both Have Their Place

Sometimes it appears as if every traditional function within our society is becoming mechanized and automated. Yes, this phenomenon has made our lives easier. But it also causes us to question how eliminating the "personal touch" and diminishing the importance of traditional face-to-face customer relations will affect our culture down the road.

There are, of course, plusses and minuses to the increased technology in our lives. For instance, we can now go through the line at the grocery store without the help of a clerk or cashier. We can deposit or withdraw money from the bank without the need to talk to a live teller. We can instantly get answers to our questions about anything from incoming weather to background information on a historical figure.

Concessions: Man vs. Machine

Even a segment of our culture that seems so "mom and pop," the concession trailer business, hasn't been spared. Food carts are a part of just about every event imaginable. Carnivals, festivals, sporting events and concerts all have vending areas where pleasant workers dish out fresh food and snacks to customers. Concession workers will reach into popcorn makers to scoop up a few bags for the kids then they'll pluck a few dogs out of the hot dog cooker for mom and dad. It's all part of the overall event experience.

Though the personal touch still exists in most areas of the country, automatic self-serve concession trailers and carts are becoming increasingly popular. They come complete with bottled drinks instead of iced soft drinks and microwaves to heat up refrigerated sandwiches. No aromatic cooking smells or charming concession workers. Just a few buttons to press on a series of machines and you're on your way.

It's all a matter of preference as to whether a customer opts for the traditional or the technical. A personal touch and food freshness over quickness and convenience, the choice is yours.

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 Business a Good Way to Supplement Income

If you're thinking about starting a business in order to supplement your income or to eventually pursue full-time, do your due diligence first. Take a look at the different types of businesses that may be on the upswing and all that goes into running your own enterprise. The slow economy doesn’t make things easy these days, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t be successful if you happen upon the right opportunity.

The concession trailer business is something to consider. In the midst of the economic slowdown, people still need to eat and will always snack at events and gatherings. If you purchase a cart and familiarize yourself with the rules and regulations surrounding the operation of a food cart, the possibility exists that you can do pretty well in this business.

Some things to consider when starting a food concession business are what you are going to need for overhead, what type of food products you are going to sell and the number of personnel you will need to employ, not to mention viable locations for your cart or trailer.


Supplies

When you’ve decided on which concession trailer you are going to purchase you will know how much equipment you can fit inside of it. A hot dog cooker and popcorn makers are standard, and you can add other items later such as nacho warmers and possibly a fryer.


Events

There are endless possibilities; however, certifications are necessary in most areas in order to operate food carts, so be aware of this as you seek out venues. Public sporting events, carnivals and festivals are good places to start. City street corners can be lucrative, but are not always easy to get permits for.

There are never any guarantees, but as you gain experience, land some good venues and start to make contacts, you could make a good living and only have to answer to one boss ... you.

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.