Running a concession stand at a rural sports venue can be a challenging and rewarding experience, but it can also come with its own set of difficulties. Whether you’re an experienced concessionaire or just starting out, it’s important to avoid common mistakes that can negatively impact your business. In this blog, we’ll outline 20 of the most common concession stand mistakes to avoid, so you can keep your concession running smoothly and maximize your revenue.

Not having a clear menu: This makes it difficult for customers to quickly decide what they want to order, leading to longer lines, reduced sales, and a negative customer experience.

Not having a visible menu: A menu that is hard to see or understand will discourage customers from making a purchase and negatively impact the customer experience.

Not keeping menu items in stock: Running out of popular items can be frustrating for customers and lead to lost sales, as customers will have to go elsewhere to find what they’re looking for.

Not offering a variety of options: Concession stands that only offer a limited selection of items will likely see fewer sales, as customers will be less likely to find something they like.

Poor food quality: Food that is not fresh or well-prepared will turn customers off and negatively impact their experience at the concession stand.

Slow service: Long wait times will lead to frustrated customers and decreased sales.

Inconsistent pricing: Inconsistent pricing can be confusing for customers and lead to decreased sales.

Not accepting credit/debit cards: Failing to accept credit/debit cards as a payment option will limit the customer base and reduce sales.

Not promoting specials/promotions: Customers may not be aware of promotions and special offers, leading to missed sales opportunities.

Lack of signage: Poor signage can make it difficult for customers to find the concession stand, leading to decreased sales.

Dirty or cluttered space: A dirty or cluttered concession stand will negatively impact the customer experience and reduce sales.

Not offering condiments or utensils: Not having condiments or utensils readily available will negatively impact the customer experience and reduce sales.

Not offering a mobile ordering option: Failing to offer a mobile ordering option in today’s technology-driven world will limit the customer base and reduce sales.

Not offering food packaging options: Not offering packaging options, such as take-out containers, will limit the customer base and reduce sales.

Not properly training staff: Poorly trained staff can lead to slow service, incorrect orders, and a negative customer experience, all of which can reduce sales.

Not offering nutritional information: Customers who are health-conscious may choose to go elsewhere if nutritional information is not readily available.

Not offering eco-friendly options: Failing to offer eco-friendly options, such as reusable containers or compostable packaging, will negatively impact the customer experience and reduce sales.

Not using point of sale (POS) systems: Failing to use a POS system can lead to slow service, incorrect orders, and decreased sales.

Not using real-time inventory management systems: Not using real-time inventory management systems can lead to running out of stock, lost sales, and a negative customer experience.

Not regularly evaluating and making improvements: Failing to regularly evaluate and make improvements to the concession stand can result in a stagnant customer experience and decreased sales over time.