Check out these 15 prepackaged food ideas for concession stands that are sure to be a hit with your customers
When it comes to concession stand food, prepackaged items are a fantastic choice for a number of reasons. Not only are they super convenient and easy to transport, but they also have a long shelf life, making them a practical option for concessions stands that have limited space or access to refrigeration and cooking appliances.
But just because they’re prepackaged doesn’t mean they have to be boring! In fact, there’s a wide variety of prepackaged food items that can appeal to all kinds of tastes. From classic snacks like chips and candy to more unique options like popcorn and protein bars, there’s something out there for everyone.
So to inject a bit of inspiration I’ve compiled a list of 15 prepackaged food ideas for concession stands that are sure to be a hit with your customers. We’ll explore different types of snacks, including salty, sweet, and healthy options, as well as items that cater to specific dietary restrictions like gluten-free and vegan.
The benefits of prepackaged concession stand food
Prepackaged concession stand foods have a wide range of benefits over food that needs to be prepared and cooked onsite. Here are just a few:
- Convenience: Prepackaged concession stand food is super convenient because it’s already packaged and ready to go. You don’t have to worry about preparing or cooking anything, which saves you time and effort.
- Long Shelf Life: Most prepackaged concession stand food has a long shelf life, which means you can stock up and not have to worry about it going bad. This is especially important if you’re working at events where you might not have access to a kitchen or refrigerator.
- Easy to Transport: Prepackaged concession stand food is usually easy to transport because it’s compact and doesn’t require any special handling. This means you can bring it with you wherever you go, whether you’re setting up a stand at a sporting event or a music festival.
- Wide Variety: There’s a wide variety of prepackaged concession stand food available, from chips and candy to popcorn and beef jerky. This means you can offer something for everyone, no matter what their taste preferences are.
- Profitable: Prepackaged concession stand food is often a profitable item to sell because it has a high markup. This means you can make a good profit on each item you sell, which can help offset your costs and increase your overall revenue.
1. Popcorn
Popcorn is a concession stand classic and an easy prepackaged snack to sell. It comes in a range of flavors such as salted caramel or chocolate to name but a few.
And here’s the kicker: it’s not just delicious, it’s also gluten-free and vegan-friendly. So if you’ve got any picky eaters or health nuts coming through your stand, you’ve got ’em covered. Plus, you can charge a little extra if you want to start selling gourmet popcorn.
2. Chips and nuts
Prepackaged chips and snacks are another repacked classic at concession stands for a very good reason! You can get them in all kinds of flavors – personally, I’m a big fan of the classic sea-salted chips, but cheese and sour cream are pretty darn delicious too. Im also a big fan of salted almonds and cashews.
3. Candy
Prepackaged candy is a popular sweet treat that is easy to sell at concession stands. It comes in a variety of flavors and types, such as chocolate bars, gummies, and lollipops. It also has a high-profit margin, which makes it a good time to sell.
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4. Beef Jerky & Beef Sticks
Beef jerky and bed sticks are great grab-and-go products and good for concession stands that want to offer something protein-packed without having to worry about it going bad. And the best part? It comes in all sorts of flavors and packaging sizes! You’ve got your classic teriyaki, spicy jalapeno, and even some wild ones like honey mustard.
So if you’re looking for a snack that’s easy to handle and won’t spoil, beef jerky is definitely the way to go.
5. Bottled Water
Bottled water is a must for any concession stand and a great as an upselling product where you can sell it along with other types of food-type products. It also has a very long shelf life meaning less waste and more profits.
6. Energy & Protein Bars
Energy and protein bars tap into the growing health-conscious consumer and are perfect for a range of events but especially where you have a lot of gym enthusiasts who are looking for a protein fix. So if you are at a lot of sporting events such as marathons, soccer stadiums,s or event spaces where they may hold sporting competitions.
They come in all kinds of flavors, from chocolate peanut butter to birthday cake, so you’re sure to find something that everyone will love. And if you’re looking for something a little extra, you can even get protein bars with added vitamins and minerals or low-sugar options.
7. Fruit Cups
Prepackaged fruit cups come in all kinds of varieties, like mixed fruit or applesauce cups. Whilst they may not have a very long shelf life and may need some refrigeration space, again they tap into the growing health-conscious coming looking for more than just a sugar fix.
8. Cheese and Cracker Packs
If you’re looking for a snack that’s easy to sell at your concession stand, go for prepackaged cheese and cracker packs. Trust me, people love these things! You can offer different types of cheese and cracker flavors like cheddar cheese with wheat crackers or pepper jack cheese with pretzel sticks. Who doesn’t love a good cheese and cracker combo?
9. Cup Noodles
Prepacked cup noodles are a great grab-and-go product that has a high markup and a very long shelf life. They also come in a dizzying array of flavors which means there should be a little something for everyone. And the best part? All you have to do is add hot water and you’re good to go!
10. Protein Shakes
Again If you’ve got fitness enthusiasts or athletes coming to your events, you’ll definitely want to stock up on prepackaged protein shakes. They are super easy to make at your concession stand by just adding water or if you have cooler space can have a pre-bottled drink ready to go in the fridge.
11. Cookies
These little guys have to be an all-time favorite for all occasions and one of their appeals is that they come in a ton of flavors. Chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, and sugar cookies to name just a few.
12. Pretzels
Prepackaged pretzels! They’re cheap, they’re simple, and people love ’em.
You can get ’em in all sorts of shapes and flavors, like salted, cinnamon sugar, and even cheese-filled if you’re feeling fancy. Plus, they’re easy to store and, transport so you don’t have to worry about them taking up too much space in your concession stand.
And the best part? These little guys have a seriously long shelf life, so you won’t have to worry about them going bad and ending up in the trash. That means less waste and more money in your pocket.
13. Rice Krispie Treats
prepackaged Rice Krispie Treats. These things practically sell themselves! They come in all kinds of flavors, from classic original to chocolatey goodness. You can get them in individual packs or big family-sized packs, depending on how hungry your customers are feeling.
The best part about Rice Krispie Treats is that they last forever. Okay, not really forever, but they do have a long shelf life, which means you can stock up and not have to worry about them going stale. Plus, they’re super easy to store, so you don’t have to worry about taking up too much space in your stand.
14. Trail Mix
Let me tell you about one of my favorite snack options: prepackaged trail mix. Not only is it a fan favorite, but it’s also super easy to sell. And the best part? You don’t have to worry about it going bad any time soon, so you can stock up and be prepared for any event.
Trail mix comes in all sorts of varieties, from fruit and nut to chocolate and nut. It’s like a choose-your-own-adventure snack! You can mix and match to suit your customers’ tastes, or just offer a few different options to keep things simple.
15. Pop Tarts
Pop-Tarts! These things are a breakfast staple, and they’re perfect for selling at our stands.
They come in all sorts of flavors, from classic strawberry to the more adventurous blueberry. And let’s be real, who doesn’t love a good Pop-Tart? They’re easy to eat on the go, so they’re perfect for customers who are in a rush.
Plus, they’re a hit with kids and young adults, so you know you’ll be making some sales. And let’s face it, we all need a little bit of sugar to get us going in the morning, right?
