How to Start a Concession Stand: A Guide for Boosters & Other School Clubs

Booster Clubs play an integral role in supporting school sports teams and other extracurricular activities. One of the most common ways booster clubs raise funds for their groups is by running concession stands at sporting events and other gatherings. Concession stands not only provide essential financial support, but they also contribute to the overall spirit and camaraderie of an event. Plus, concession stand snacks can be a lifesaver for someone who is feeling “hangry.”

If you’re a part of a booster club, setting up a concession stand can be a fruitful venture in your year’s fundraising efforts. Here are some steps and considerations to ensure your concession stand is a succes.

Getting Started

Before diving into the details of starting a concession stand, you will want to ensure you comply with local health and safety regulations. While many concession stands opt for shelf-stable, pre-packaged goods that don’t require extra food handling considerations, others want to provide more substantial eats. That might mean obtaining permits and adhering to guidelines for food handling, depending on the type of concessions you plan to sell. Be sure to maintain strict hygiene standards and ensure proper food storage.

Next, determine a budget for your concession stand. You’ll want to consider your initial startup costs like cooking equipment, tables, stands, napkin holders, etc., as well as ongoing expenses like food costs and restocking supplies.

Supplies and Materials

Here’s the fun part. Decide what you will serve at your concession stand. Offer a variety of items, such as snacks (popcorn, pretzels, chips, jerky, candy), beverages (soft drinks, water, Gatorade, juice), and hot food (hot dogs, nachos, soft pretzels). Ensure your menu caters to the dietary preferences of attendees, including at least a few options for those who are gluten, nut and dairy free. Check out our list of healthy concession stand ideas here.

Stock up on supplies like disposable plates, cups, utensils, napkins, condiments and other serveware. Be sure there are trash and recycling cans in the vicinity, and consider eco-friendly options to reduce waste.

Finally, you will want to create displays and signage so that you can clearly communicate your menu items and their prices.

Managing Your Concession Stand

Determine your pricing strategy. Although you want to be competitive, it is also a fundraiser for a good cause so don’t be afraid to charge what will help maximize sales and profits. It’s a fine line. Encouraging bulk purchases like “twofers” (two-for-one’s) can help maximize your earnings.

Be sure to keep a close eye on your inventory levels to avoid running out of popular items, and regularly check expiration dates. Recruit volunteers to operate the concession stand during the event. Ensure they are trustworthy and able to handle the food, customers and cash in a professional manner.

Decide what forms of payment you will accept. When it comes to cash, check out our podcast blog about handling cash at an event. Utilizing QR codes is an easy way to send payers to your Venmo or other payment account, and if you are a MoneyMinder User, you can even set up an online store to collect payments in a way that doesn’t require any additional app downloads for payers.

Once you have all of that stuff in place, you are ready to promote the concession stand. Here are some ideas to help get the word out about your concession stand:

• Social Media posts
• Your booster club website
• Your email newsletter
• School bulletin boards
• School loudspeaker announcements
• Decor and signage at the event and around the school

Was Your Concession Stand a Success?

After each event, analyze your financial performance. Compare actual results to your budget, adjust your budget accordingly and identify areas for improvement. It’s also a good idea to ask your “customers” for feedback. How was your pricing and do they have ideas for additional items to add?

Starting a concession stand for your Booster Club or other group requires a little planning and organization, but can be a profitable fundraising opportunity worth repeating year after year.