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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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Food Carts give “New York’s Finest” Another Meaning

New York City, with its fabled culture and rich history, is often referred to as the “center of the universe.”

One traditional aspect of the “Big Apple” is its street vendors. Many food cart and concession trailer owners have made a very good living peddling their wares on the streets of New York. In some cases, food trailer ownership is generational. Fathers and mothers pass their food carts on to sons and daughters who continue to serve loyal customers year after year.

The “Steaks” are High

The competition between food stand owners is fierce. The aroma emanating from pizza warmers, hot dog grills and popcorn poppers drifts throughout the city streets as customers gravitate toward their favorite vendors when hungry.

Seemingly located on just about every street corner, food concession trailers offer a broad variety of menu items that range from ethnic tastes to those purely American. Nacho machines work overtime as wide-eyed customers walk away with plates piled high. And shredded steak, chicken or pork sizzle on a grill as a slice of pita bread waits to be filled.

The availability of Greek, Asian and Mediterranean dishes on opposite street corners make a mealtime decision even more difficult.  But New York’s famous gourmet hot dog carts also beckon. Kabobs, roasted nuts, gourmet pretzels and overstuffed omelets are all part of New York City’s vast food vending tapestry, and that just scratches the surface.

For those considering starting a food stand or concession trailer business in New York City, the costs for permits and licensing are relatively steep. But the biggest challenge might be finding a good location; one that is not already occupied by any number of the Big Apple’s world class vendors.

 

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The Concession Trailer Business Leaves Room for Creativity

Whether prospective entrepreneurs enter the food vending arena to earn extra income or to start a full-blown concession trailer business, this industry offers many advantages. One of the most attractive aspects of the food trailer business is the ability of owners to “call their own shots.”

Flexibility Comes with the Territory

Leaving a regimented, workaday environment for freedom and flexibility is one of the many reasons that people are drawn toward careers in concessions. This is not to say that food cart and concession trailer proprietors don’t work hard or that there are no administrative hurdles to navigate. But there is a degree of autonomy in food stand ownership that cannot be found in most other professions.

The decision-making process rests with the independent concessionaire in regard to when and where to set up shop, which products to serve and how to market their food stands. Vendors may choose to start with “standard” concession food equipment such as a hot dog roller, popcorn maker or nacho machine. Or they may try something a little more unconventional such as gourmet pretzels or kettle popcorn.

Anything Goes

Successful owners of food carts leave “no stone unturned” when it comes to developing marketing ideas and ways to separate themselves from the competition. It is always wise to survey the territory before venturing into a new event or area. If other food vendors are peddling standard fare, those offering atypical menu items will often reap the rewards.

Vendors may also choose to branch out into areas such as catering or opt to offer an exclusive food item. For instance, having the only funnel cake concession trailer at a particular event can prove to be very profitable.

Food stand owners can also be creative in their marketing endeavors. Robust websites with social media alerts and Facebook pages can stir up customer interest. Discount coupons distributed throughout an area before a festival or other event is a good idea as well.

Concession trailer owners have the freedom to customize their careers and operate on their own terms. Whether they are happy to work on a part-time or “specialized” basis, or whether they set the bar high for sales and profits, the possibilities are wide open.

 

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Built to Last Generations

Close up of
1967 Whiz Bang Gold Medal
Popcorn Machine

Six years ago, Mark Schmidt received a most unexpected call. The popcorn machine that fueled his first car purchase at age 15 was not only still popping, but up for sale 39 years later. His father found the 1967 Whiz Bang Gold Medal popcorn machine in an engine shed at a farm sale, and it was still on its original cabinet that Mark’s dad built to sell the popcorn.

“I told him I didn’t care how much it cost; just buy it! That thing was amazing,” Mark said. He noted he would pop 100 lbs. a weekend at events around town for $.15 or $.25 for a large bag.

“As kids, we thought we hit the jackpot. That’s where I first learned about entrepreneurship. It’s a pretty cool understanding to know what you want to do with your life at such a young age,” Mark remembered.

After buying his car, Mark sold the machine to his brother, Tim and sister Janice who ran it for a few years before they sold it to another family who had a mobile concession stand.

Mark Schmidt with his
1967 Whiz Bang Gold Medal Popcorn Machine

Later after the Schmidt family found the machine again, they brought it to their cabin and eventually their business, AMEK Custom Builders.“For a while, popcorn would be our main food group at the cabin. When my daughter was six months old, she would try to rip the bowl out of our hands. We have a long history with good popcorn from that machine and we are meticulous about real popcorn,” Paul Schmidt, Mark’s son, said. “Now, we pop it about three times a week at the office. Our customers love the aroma, our stories, and reminiscing about it. They appreciate our efforts to restore it.”

The family still gleefully lists popcorn at the top of the food pyramid and takes requests from Mark’s five children and 18 grandchildren. Thankfully, though, they know the Whiz Bang will keep popping for generations to come.

 
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Posted by on April 25, 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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