Concession Consumables

Concession Stand Supplies: What You Need to Know

Proper concession supplies are a must if you want to operate a successful concession stand. Concession stand food supplies such as popcorn flavoring, candy apple mix, and snow cone syrup add flavor and variety to commonly offered concession food. For concession stand staples, such as cotton candy and popcorn, equipment typically is needed to prepare these treats, though you could opt for bagged cotton candy and popcorn. Food is one of the main reasons guests visit concession stands, so keeping all the necessary supplies handy to provide customers their craved treats will make your life easier.

Common Questions About Concession Supplies

What types of concession stand food supplies are available?

There are a plethora of concession stand foods available, ranging from sweet treats to savory snacks, and these foods require supplies to be handled, produced, or stored. Nachos – a popular concession stand snack – require two components: nacho cheese and chips. Nacho cheese can be sold in a bag or individually portioned cups, while round nacho chips can be purchased in bags. Pre-popped popcorn is sold in bags and, if you wish to pop fresh popcorn, popcorn kernels can be purchased in bags as large as 50 pounds. Warm, ready-to-serve pretzels are also available, as are various popcorn flavorings that can give your customers a unique experience. Candy apples are a familiar concession stand treat that require candy or caramel coating, which can be bought in 15-ounce bags. Cotton candy flavoring, such as Gold Medal Flossine®, gives cotton candy distinct flavors.

What's the difference between popcorn bags, buckets, and boxes?

There are three styles of popcorn containers available: bags, buckets, and boxes, with the traditional popcorn bags coming in a range of sizes. These are flimsier than boxes and can hold anywhere from 1 ounce to 3 pounds. Popcorn bags are used commonly for small- and medium-sized popcorn orders, while popcorn buckets are sturdy enough for large popcorn servings. They're available in 21-, 32-, 46-, 130-, and 170-ounce sizes. Plastic buckets can double as a souvenir that guests can take home. Popcorn boxes are a bit sturdier and easier to transport than popcorn bags, and in some cases, a popcorn box can be closed to prevent spills.

What concession products do I need to serve snow cones?

Snow cones are a popular concession stand treat, especially during the summer months. To create these chilly treats for your customers, you'll need some snow cone supplies. First, make sure you have a container or cart that can house shaved ice. Next, stock up on snow cone syrup, which is available in many flavors and can be dispensed from available containers with dispensers. Then, you need something to hold the snow cone itself, such as conical cups for a traditional snow cone look. Flat-bottomed cups are also available, as are larger translucent cups.

How do you make cotton candy?

Cotton candy gets its appearance by heating and liquefying sugar, which is then spun centrifugally in a machine through tiny holes. The sugar is then rapidly cooled, where it re-solidifies into fine strands. If you opt to produce your own cotton candy, ensure you have everything you need, including the cotton candy machine of your choice. Supplies you'll need to make cotton candy include granulated sugar, cotton candy flavoring, and color mix. You can choose to buy pre-mixed sugar, flavoring, and color mix, or you can choose to mix flavoring and color mix with granulated sugar. Once your cotton candy is made, you can choose to bag it or spin the cotton candy on a stick for a traditional presentation.