Prep for Carnival Season

In the concession business, fun foods are in season all year. However, depending on where you do business, your city or town might have a busy season, especially during the summer months when there are fairs, carnivals, and outdoor sporting events.

If a busy season is approaching your area, there are a few things you can do to be in good shape for it to begin.

Start by taking a look at your equipment. Is your trailer up to date with the proper equipment, such as a fryer or a grill, if needed? If you normally use a cart or a wagon, make sure the parts are in working condition.

It’s also a great idea to clean up your trailer or wagon, and get things sparkling and shining again.

Restock on all of your product. If you’ve been through this season before, take a look at numbers to get a feel for how many people you might be serving this time around. If you can’t purchase your food items too far in advance, you can get a leg up on paper goods, or recipe mix packets.

Are you considering adding a new product to your cart for the season? If so, remember to keep it simple. You don’t want to offer too many items, or anything that’s difficult to make. Consider your market, and if the new item will sell and help profits or not. If you sell popcorn, maybe you add caramel corn, or additional sizes for variety instead of an entirely new item.

If one season is your only “busy” time of the year, consider additional events or locations you could tap into. Also consider selling gift tins to add another option for sales.

By following these steps, you’ll be ready for the busy season. After the season, take a look at your market and see where you can expand to make the entire year your “busy” season.