What Can I Sell in a Concession Stand?
Concession Stand Bestsellers and Other Food Ideas
Starting a concession stand is a profitable business venture: there’s always a demand for fun foods at a variety of entertainment venues, and the initial investment in equipment pays off quickly with the high-profit margins. Ready to get started but wondering, “What can I sell in a concession stand?” We can help. While you can sell just about anything, here are some of the best snack foods to sell to make money.
Traditional and Easy Concession Stand Food
Some of the most profitable foods to sell are also among the easiest to produce. If you’re looking to ease into the business with some tried and true menu items, these are the best place to start.
Popcorn and Gourmet Popcorn
A simple favorite, buttery popcorn requires minimal equipment and supplies. And with gourmet popcorn, the options are nearly endless. Sell cheese or caramel corn, or get creative with your recipes.
Snow Cones
Sweet flavored crushed ice is a tasty treat to cool off with, and snow cones are simple to make with the right machine.
Cotton Candy
From familiar blue and pink choices to gourmet flavors, cotton candy is a sugary delight for all ages. Explore the cotton candy flavors here!
Nachos
For people who crave a crunch, nachos are the obvious snack choice, and they’re easy to serve with cheese warmers and dispensers.
Hot Meals and Treats
Offering more substantial foods that customers can make a meal is a good strategy at events and any location where people stay for long periods of time. Try selling these favorites.
Hot Dogs
Requiring less equipment and work than burgers, hot dogs can make a meal for customers on the go. All you need is a roller grill and bun warmer to start selling.
Fried Foods
Investing in a fryer opens up a lot of opportunities for concession foods. Once you get the hang of deep frying foods, you can do so much: from chicken and French fries to funnel cakes and elephant ears, there are so many foods customers love.
Pizza
What’s not to love about pizza? With pepperoni and cheese options on hand, you’ll be ready to satisfy the biggest customer appetites. (Check out Gold Medal's pizza and pretzel cabinets.)
Pretzels
The snack with substance, pretzels are easy to serve, and you can offer customization with topping and dip options for an extra charge.
Novelty Items
Concessions customers are often looking for interesting treats with a twist. Customizable food items and creative presentation can lead to more sales.
Fudge
Fudge is a treat so versatile that the only limit to what you can make is your imagination. Use Sno-Kone® concentrates for a tart flavor, crush up candy and cookies for extra sweetness, or mix in other ingredients like nuts or even whiskey. See why selling fudge is a smart business decision.
Waffles
Waffles are not just for breakfast anymore! You can expand your offerings with gourmet waffles made with sweet or savory popcorn seasoning. There’s nothing like a PB&J waffle or pizza waffle to pleasantly surprise your customers.
Ice Cream
A treat beloved by everyone, you can make your ice cream extra special with sprinkles and a variety of cones to choose from. Find more ice cream shop menu ideas here.
Beverages
Don’t forget the drinks! In addition to sodas, juices, and bottled water, adding some nostalgia and/or unique flair to your beverage menu can mean big success.
Lemon Shake-Ups
A refreshing and nostalgic treat, Lemon Shakeups are just what your customers are looking for on a hot day. A Lemonator makes serving these drinks easy.
Flavored Sodas
While you can purchase bottled soda to sell, if you already offer fountain drinks, a more fun, economical, and customizable option is to add a splash of Sno-Kone® syrups to your fountain drinks to customer taste.
Hot Drinks
In the cooler months, customers will naturally want hot beverages to keep them warm. In addition to ordinary coffee and hot chocolate, try creating some specialty flavors.
Mocktails
For added flair, you can offer mocktails at your concession stand. These fun drinks will be popular with adults and kids alike, and if you have a liquor license, you can turn them into real cocktails for customers who are of age.
This list is just a small selection of the types of foods you can sell in a concession stand – there are so many others to consider as you gain more understanding of your customers’ preferences. Find more ideas on Gold Medal’s blog.