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The Top 10 “Fun” Concession Foods at Amusement Parks

We are beckoned to amusement parks by the thrills of roller coasters, the spills of water rides and the skills we put on display in our attempted mastery of gaming. But the “grill” is also a big part of our day at the amusement park, as all the activity is bound to cause us to work up a good appetite.

Large amusement parks offer a vast array of food choices and cuisines, from snack shops to sit-down restaurants. Concession stands can be spotted just about everywhere we look, presenting those seeking to grab a quick bite with a large selection of “fun” foods and tasty treats.

The Top “Fun” Foods

A “fun food” can be described as a “snacky” sweet or a rib-sticking food item that is fast, easy and delectable. Hamburger and hot dog grills are always working overtime on days where the weather is agreeable and a park is packed with visitors. But aside from these ever-popular staples, here are ten of the most favored fun foods found at amusement parks:

Belgian waffles and funnel cakes: Both of these treats can be placed in the same category, as Belgian waffles are often made with funnel cake mix, and vice versa. These delightful dishes emerge from the Belgian waffle maker or the deep fryer a tempting golden-brown. They can be topped with powdered sugar, fruit, ice cream or whipped cream.

Sno Kones: An icy, flavor-filled refreshment that is perfect on a hot day.

Cotton candy: A sweet and fluffy kid-favorite that melts in your mouth.

Caramel corn: A crunchy snack that bursts with sweetness on every bite.

Nachos: A snack food staple topped with meat, cheese and peppers. The nacho machine is a very popular piece of equipment at just about every public event or gathering.

Pizza: By the slice or in pie form, need more be said about this international favorite?

Popcorn: A salty, ready-to-munch snack standard.

Pretzels: Whether soft and warm, salty, sweet or cheesy, pretzels at amusement parks, festivals and ballgames are a timeless tradition.

Ice cream: No food-furnishing affair would be complete without this sweet and creamy offering.

The fun foods deserving “honorable mention” are countless. From chili cheese fries to warm cinnamon almonds to potato ribbons, the list goes on and on. From the traditional to the unique, snacks and treats round out the amusement park experience. Quite often, their packaging and presentation is half the fun!

 
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Posted by on August 2, 2012 in Uncategorized

 

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The Concession Trailer Business: Offerings Change with the Seasons

Some concession trailer and food cart owners “pick their spots” and run their business on the side to earn extra income. Others make their living by selling snacks and refreshments year-round.

For those with the desire to enter the world of food stand entrepreneurship, the concession trailer business offers freedom, flexibility and a seemingly endless choice of venues in which a concession cart would be a most welcome addition.

Knowing the Lay of the Land

Many of the keys to running a successful concession stand business are born of practicality, experience and a little common sense. Food stand owners will learn about certain aspects of the business over time, such as which locations have the greatest profit potential and what type of fare is best suited for a particular customer base.

For instance, the hot dog grill roller and nacho dispenser will usually be working overtime at soccer fields and ballparks during the spring and summer, especially around lunch and dinner times. Other summertime favorites are ice cream, cold drinks and, of course, snow cones. The shaved ice business booms during those steamy mid-summer days at any outdoor gathering.

Speaking of the Seasons…

Concession stand success is certainly not restricted to the warm-weather months. The fall brings with it the sweetness of caramel corn, cotton candy and caramel apples. For “Oktoberfest” events, many concessionaires break out the funnel cake equipment and trade traditional hot dogs for sausages and bratwurst.

Cold weather customers will gravitate toward the popcorn poppers and pizza warmers. Warm cones of caramel popcorn are always a coveted wintertime treat. Naturally, concession stands with coffee and hot chocolate available when it’s chilly outside will usually attract a steady stream of patrons.

Food stand owners often choose to mix in a few specialty items according to the season, such as soups in the fall and winter and popsicles and a variety of ice cream bars in the summer. In this business, seasonal adaptability that satisfies customer expectations results in profits!

 
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Posted by on April 19, 2012 in Uncategorized

 

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Gold Medal the “One-Stop Shop” for Concession Stand Operators

Gold Medal's Item #8080 - Table Top Steamer Cart

Gold Medal's Item #8080 - Table Top Steamer Cart

For more than 80 years, concession trailer business operators have had a trusted and reliable friend in Gold Medal Products. Both veteran food trailer entrepreneurs and those considering starting a new business in the concessions industry have found this award-winning company to be a tremendously valuable resource.

Gold Medal Products is internationally recognized as one of the “heavy hitters” in the concessions field. They are a leading supplier of concession supplies and food service equipment and have just about every imaginable aspect covered in regard to concessions-related accessories.

No Better Partner in the Food Cart Business

Gold Medal Products takes a sincere interest in its customers. The company is all about building relationships and is unique in its ability and desire to provide all the tools necessary for concessionaires to become successful and be able to sustain their success.

Gold Medal makes education a priority. From tutorial videos on everything from how to make caramel corn and how to make cotton candy to step-by-step instructions on setting up and operating a wide range of concession stand equipment, Gold Medal has a variety of educational resources available that is second to none in the industry.

Gold Medal has everything the beginner needs. In addition to supplies and equipment, Gold Medal Products can provide start-up concessionaires with “inside information” that will enable them to hit the ground running in the food stand business. The folks at Gold Medal are eager to convey tips and advice surrounding all aspects of the snack business, including specifics on how to run a profitable concession stand.

Whether providing top-notch, steadfast support to long-time concession stand owners or helping those new to the business build a solid foundation, the name “Gold Medal” is synonymous with success in the food trailer trade.

 
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Posted by on March 15, 2012 in Uncategorized

 

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Keeping Concession Equipment Clean Good for the “Bottom Line”

Owning a concession trailer or a food cart can be a fun and rewarding way to make a living or earn extra income.

Of course, food stand ownership carries its share of challenges. Licenses, permits, health department inspections and the occasional battle for a good, profitable location all come with the territory. But the process of navigating through obstacles and administrative requirements usually becomes smoother as owners of food carts develop their systems and gain more experience.

Equipment Care Key to Successful Concession Trailer Business

Equipment such as the popcorn machine, nacho dispenser and the sno-kone® maker are the “tools of the trade” within a concession stand. Food cart owners depend on these and other food service devices to be fully operational each time they open for business. Equipment problems can be devastating during a busy day of delivering snacks, and will more often than not send potential customers into the hands of competition. Simply put, food stand owners cannot afford equipment breakdowns!

Therefore, it is extremely important for food stand owners to thoroughly clean their concession stand equipment every time it is used. This is especially true when it comes to machines that tend to get quite messy or sticky, such as a popcorn popper or a cotton candy maker. It’s worth the time and effort to completely empty and wipe down these devices at the end of the day.

It’s very easy for salt, debris or sugary remnants to accumulate inside of intakes or on the moving parts within these machines. The result can cause clogging, loss of performance and breakdowns.

Cleaning tips are usually available within each machine’s instruction manual or through a variety of other sources, such as companies that provide concession equipment. Gold Medal Products, headquartered inCincinnati,Ohio, is a great resource for information on concession equipment maintenance and snack machine replacement parts. Gold Medal is a leader in the industry and a good friend to concession stand owners the world over.

 

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