There are a ton of ways to find a place to set up in your area, websites like www.fairsfestivalsevents.com are just one example. You can start by calling local officials in your town and getting a list of events and directions of what you need to do to get started. The difficult part is not always finding a place to set up, its more of a challenge to find a place that is not oversaturated with competition and has low set up fees/rent. This will usually be a trial and error thing, so be prepared to lose money at times to find out what works. FairsandFestivals.net also has plenty of valuable information on getting started and finding venues to sell your products. Overtime you may develop some good contacts and meet some great people along the way. Consistency and sticking to your word when dealing with people will help you alot.
For more information on what you need to know to get into the Food Concessions Business READ MORE
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There are different "rules" from state to state, you can begin by checking out the Federal Laws on concessions standards at the CDC's website on concessions. After that you would probably want to check the regulations on your local state....example here is the concessions guidlines for the state of Texas. You would probably be safe to check with the cooridinator of the event that you are planning on attending to sell your items for futher steps you need to take, to ensure you will pass inspections and other safety guidelines in order to be in business. The pricing of each kind of trailer or stand will affect which direction you choose to go. To find a good relieable concessions trailer that is ready to go will be hard to obtain for under $10,000, but is well worth it if you can find a way to draw in the sales. Spend some time searching online for a vast array of options. We have a few trailers and options for sale here. There are several Facebook groups you can check such as Concessions trailers for sale. It may be a good idea to check around local fairgrounds and festivals and try to find something that stands out from the local vendors. You don't want to show up with an exact replica of someone else's business model. See if you can find what is lacking. If you can come up with a completly original concept then its worth a try, or maybe even a new spin on an old idea. Tried and true carnival foods have been around for a long time for a reason. If you are very low on resources then get creative. Search for hotdog carts or lemonade stands that may need improvement. If you really want to sell your product you will find a way. Below are a few good resources to help get you started. DIY Lemonade stands (anything other than neighborhood sidewalk your gonna need some portable sinks for washing your hands and cleaning utensils) Hot Dog Cart Store You should be able to find something reasonable and reliable here. Used Hot Dog Carts Complete Trailers Barbours Concessions
So what do I need to be in the Concessions Business?
First of all you're gonna need a food truck, concession trailer, or some type of tent set up with all the necessarry cooking and food prep equipment. Depending on what items you would like to sell there are all kinds of different food stands to suit your needs.
Concession Tents
Concession Tents can be a cheaper way to have a full sized kitchen or serving area without as much cost. The downside being that it takes much more time to set up and dismantle than a food truck or trailer. A great thing about a tent though, is that with enough imagination, you could almost self build something that could draw in some customers to your booth. You would still need all types of equipment to cook with, serve with and ingredients to make your products. You will also need to be able to make signs so that everyone can see what you are selling. There are several sign creation websites and we even sell a few here. The key to being successful is making good products, at a price that costs less than you can sell them for, and finding a place to set up where there are lots of people ready to buy. READ MORE |