Small businesses are always looking for ways to attract new customers. For those in the food industry, setting up a concession stand is not only a great way to do just that, but it can also help expand their food offerings to new venues as well as a place for newbies to try out their menus and promote their eatery.
But like any business endeavor, running a successful concession stand takes planning. From setting your menu to creating concession stand displays and stands, here are some things you should consider before opening your concession stand.
What is a Concession Stand?
A concession stand, also called a snack bar, is a place where customers can buy food, drinks, and snacks during an event. It can be set up indoors or outdoors and is a great way for eateries to give customers a chance to sample some of their fares in a more casual setting. Of course, there are also business owners who just offer their food in a concession stand setting. People will often see concession stands at movie theaters, amusement parks, street fairs, festivals, and sporting events.
Three Tips When Setting Up Your Concession Stand
You want to pick the best place to set up shop, and once you’ve narrowed that down, there are a few steps to follow before finalizing your setup.
Understand Your Customers: You’ll want to base your selection of food and drinks for sale on the customers who will be visiting your concession stand. For example, if you’re setting it up at an amusement park where there will be a lot of kids around, you’ll want to serve more family-friendly items, including premade snacks that you can serve fast. But if your concession stand will be at a more adult-oriented place—like a music festival or winery—then you might want to step it up a notch. Think gourmet foods and a signature cocktail.
Maximize Space: When it comes to concession stand displays, saving space is a necessity. shopPOPdisplays has a number of space-saving display options. Place baked goods on the Three Step Stair Display, while candy can be stored in our Acrylic 10″ Stacking Candy Bins. Place chips and other packaged items in the Two Basket Wicker Display, drinks in a Cedar Barrel, and cake pops in the Acrylic Cake Pop Display.
Remember Signage: Whatever size your business may be, signage plays a crucial part in attracting customers to your space and helping them make purchasing decisions. The Single Sided Custom Print 16.5′ Rectangular Flag is a perfect concession stand sign—customize it with your company name, colors, and logo, and place it on either side of the concession stand. Other concession stand sign options include the 8.5″ x 11″ Bottom Loading Plastic Sign Holder, which can be set on the countertop of the stand to list menu items, while the 8.5-Inch x 11-Inch Countertop Chalkboard Sign can showcase specials.
Ready to start planning for your concession stand? Reach out to our customer service team about customization for your concession stand displays and concession stand signage.