Everything You Need to Start a Concession Stand in 2022
It's official. Concession stand season is here.
Concession businesses have lower startup costs than restaurants or food trucks, making them a great way to start in the foodservice industry. ZeroTouch is a point of sale app for concessions. We're making it easy to create and manage a concession stand business directly from your phone.
From concession stand prices and menu ideas to a complete concession stand POS system, here's everything you need to know about opening a stand this year.
How Much Does a Concession Stand Cost?
Concession stand equipment varies depending on the size of the unit and whether you're using a small tent setup at a festival, investing in a used cart or having one made from scratch. For example, a new concession stand can cost anywhere from $11,000 and $21,000 to make, and a used stand can be around $6,000 and go all the way up to about $45,000.
Concession Stand Permits & Guidelines
Depending on where you live, get in touch with your local health department to determine the guidelines for concession units in your area. You may need a Food Manager Certification, a Food Vendor License, Food Handling Certificate, Sales and Use Tax Permit, or an Employer Identification Number to operate your concession stand.
Most places require common licenses and permits, so be sure to check with your local ordinances.
Choose a Concession Stand Menu
Concession stand food can be anything from simple bags of chips to juicy cheeseburgers and fries. First, decide whether you want to offer pre-made snacks or more creative menu options.
Keep in mind, your concept and menu will help determine what size tent or cart you need. Create a menu in just a few minutes by selecting from 250 best-selling concession stand food items with ZeroTouch.
Concession Stand Menu Sign
Eliminate concession stand waiting lines to increase your turnover and revenue. Print your contactless menu sign, including QR code, directly from the ZeroTouch app. Customers scan your menu QR to order and pay from anywhere in your venue. They'll receive a text when it's ready for pickup. Ideal for hot foods orders!
Customers don't need to download an app, and you don't need any other hardware other than your phone to receive and process orders.
How to Manage a Concession Stand
Once you have your stand, permits, location, and menu settled, it's time to actually run your business. The ZeroTouch concession stand POS system is essentially your business control center in the palm of your hands.
The ZeroTouch concession stand POS app is an all-in-one tool to keep track of sales, inventory, and revenue. Especially the automated reports sent via email will save you significant time, and your accountant will love you for it. Give your customers more options with mobile and in-person orders.
Mobile Orders: Eliminate concession stand lines. Customers can use the menu QR to order and pay from anywhere in your venue. They'll receive a text when it's ready for pickup.
In-Person Orders: Customers can walk up to the concession stand, and the cashier simply uses the ZeroTouch app on their phone or tablet to take orders by selecting items from the menu. ZeroTouch accepts all payment types including cash, card, and phone tap & pay. ZeroTouch currently offers free PayPal Zettle card readers to get started.
Start your concession stand business with ZeroTouch today. Feel free to schedule a personal demo with us or download the app yourself and play around with it. ZeroTouch currently offers free card readers at sign up!