How to Start a Concession Stand Business

A great, easy summer business you can start with little work and which allows you to stay outdoors, is a concession stand. If you don't mind being around large crowds of people, a concession stand is an easy, productive business. A concession trailer, which resembles more of a restaurant than an actual cart has the added benefit of letting you move it to wherever people congregate, rather than setting somewhere and waiting for customers to come to you.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Permits and licenses
• Food
• Equipment: fryers, food warmer station and/or microwave (depends on whether you have a cart or a trailer)

Plan a Concession Stand Business

1. Evaluate your options. Depending on how much capital you have available to start the business, you can buy or lease anything from a small concession stand to a mobile food trailer. A mobile food trailer, for example, is a great choice if you plan on setting up outside a large traffic area such as a factory or somewhere out of the city, where you don't have access to last-minute items to restock your cart.
2. Choose what you want to sell. Most concession stands focus on one specific area. Whether it's ice cream or hot dogs depends both on personal preference and what the local market requests.
3. Decide where you will set up your business before you start. This includes whether you plan on staying in the same corner everyday or moving to cover outdoor venues, farmer's markets, music festivals and other events in the area.
4. Talk to your city health department to find out about permits and licenses required by food vendors. These may be easy to obtain (just fill out an application) or may require you to take some short classes on how to handle food safely.
5. Find either a partner or an employer. Staying at the same spot for 8 to 10 hours a day can quickly turn stressful and frustrating. Plan sharing the shift with somebody else or find a way to take frequent breaks and move around.

Tips & Warnings

• Giving out free samples is a great way to attract customers. Bite size containers are easy to find and provide you with a way to entice passersby to buy your product.
• It's possible to both buy and rent the cart or trailer needed for a concession food business. Investigate both options and their pros and cons before you make a decision.
• Even if you're focusing on food, consider selling drinks or other extras, especially if you're selling hot and spicy food. Most people will buy them from you rather than walking to a nearby store with food in their hands.