Consession Trailers

[luvsJack]

I thought I remembered a poster in a past thread saying that they owned a concessions trailer and I was hoping to pick their brain a bit.

We went to the fair last night and I know that there are several people that are local folks who just sell at this fair. They have just plain hamburgers, cheap fries and bottled cokes and were selling like crazy. For the past two years I have told dh that was something we could do at a couple of local events (there is some kind of festival going on every weekend it seems like, plus this fair every October and there will be another local fair starting next week). I have a cheap, good, filling sandwich I make that we call a sloppy jim (its gravy instead of the red sauce in a sloppy joe) and we were thinking of that plus seasoned fries and southern sweet tea. And selling it as a "combo" or basket.

This particular fair grounds has some permanent structures for concessions and then I have seen people selling under tents, in trailers, and some home built little shack things that they set up themselves.

I was thinking that I would enjoy doing this (have worked in food service before and enjoy the fast pace. Plus I love the atmosphere of the fair or those type of events. ) and hoping maybe it would make the extra money every year for vacations, Christmas and that type of stuff.


So, does anyone out there do this? What are the pros and cons of it? Do you have a trailer of your own or what do you use? Do you make any money with it?

TIA!

 

[2Eskiedogs]

Our 4H club has a fixed building at the local Fair. Its been a few years since I helped with management of the food stand, but I thought we had to purchase a license to serve food(don't know if it was from the state of county). I do know that we got inspected a couple times during the Fair.

I do know that our food prices were the cheapest on the fairgrounds. We purchased most of our food from Sam's club or a local food distributer to schools.

I would think that you could make some money doing this. I think you would have to consider your hours that you would be open, how much help you would need to operate, if they would be paid help and such. Also any start up costs, trailer, or tent, food, coolers, nescos, condiments, maybe insurance(?), gas and lodging(if you will be traveling). At our Fair, we can camp on the fairgrounds, so that helps out a lot. Maybe contact your local Health Department and see if they have any guidelines that would have to followed.

I always look forward to working at our 4H food stand, but its a ton of hours that we need to work. We are open 8 days, from appoximately 5am - 11pm. We serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. I love your idea of a Sloppy Jim sandwich, something unique to draw people in. There used to be a vendor at our Fair that had the best egg rolls, sadly they weren't there this year.

 

[hinodis]

I have a very close friend who owns rides and food stands. She is extremely busy with it. It is not as much fun as it looks. I have worked for her several times when she was in a pinch. It really is not as easy as it all looks. First off, around here there are waiting lists to get a spot in the festivals and fairs. The same people have been doing this for years and they have there spot. When there is no more room you are on a waiting list. I know it took her years to get established. You will have to pay for insurance and get licenced. Remember you wil be serving food to the public. It can be very HOT if your doing this in the summer, and a rainy weekend can kill a profit. It is really alot to consider. Do your homework before you jump in.

 

[DisMN]

A friend of ours pops and sells kettle corn at local craft fairs and other events. He makes enough to have quit his regular job and ONLY do this during the summer months. I was amazed but then again, popcorn costs next to nothing compared to how it can fill a bag!
Yes, it's hot, hard, fast paced work but dang who'd have thought you could make so much money doing it? LOL