10 Creative Popcorn Gift Baskets for Any Occasion!!

Looking for a versatile, flavorful snack that also makes a great gift? Gourmet popcorn is a best seller because it can easily fit with nearly any special occasion. That means there’s a wide variety of opportunities where you can market gourmet popcorn for gift baskets.

1. Movie Night – Movie-based gift baskets are the perfect way to showcase a variety of popcorn flavors including buttered, caramel and cheese. Popcorn buckets make a decorative addition.
2. Baby Shower – Just use the theme, “Ready to Pop!” Then fill the basket with either pink or blue colored popcorn. Accessorize with other baby items like pacifiers for a fun and unique, yet practical gift.
3. Military Care Package – Popcorn is one of the snacks that can be easily shipped, making it ideal for care packages. Put together a patriotic thank you to our troops with red, white and blue colored popcorn.
4. Off-to-College – Help students be prepared for long nights of studying and snacking. As an added fun touch, color the popcorn in the school’s colors. Include other dorm life essentials like post-it notes and caffeinated beverages.
5. Beach Theme – For sun and fun, plan a tropical inspired beach basket! Combine sunglasses, beach towels, flip flops and decorative drink cups. Island flavors of popcorn can be banana and piña colada.
6. Holiday Selections – Popcorn is festive and can be paired with any holiday celebration. For example, 4^th of July fits for red cherry and blueberry. For a Halloween treat, try orange and black cherry. And you’ll fall in love with red cinnamon for Valentine’s Day.
7. Dessert Flavors – Tempt the taste buds with some of the sweetest flavor recipes like lemon pound cake, birthday cake and churro. Imagine this as a raffle item for a fundraiser.
8. Cheese Lovers – Create a cheese lover’s dream with a tantalizing combination of cheddar, white cheddar, buffalo blue cheese and nacho flavors. This would be a great addition for a tailgate party!
9. Spice It Up – For those up to the challenge of the hottest, spiciest flavors, give them a selection that includes Guadalajara hot sauce, jalapeño and ghost pepper. You could make this a Father’s Day special.
10. Chef’s Choice – Mix up an assortment of all your favorite flavors. This way customers can easily get a taste of the most popular items from your menu. Promote it as an ideal party hostess gift.

Gourmet popcorn gift baskets can work well for many businesses, including but not limited to:  popcorn shops, candy stores, grocery stores, gift shops and even flower shops. The possibilities are endless and so is the profit potential.

Trust Beach Cities Wholesalers, Los Angeles' Gold Medal Distributor, as your source for all the best in gourmet popcorn equipment and supplies. We know the industry and our concession specialists are on-hand to assist you. To schedule a personal profit consultation contact us at 562-355-4074!

An Inside Look at Funnel Cakes!

Enjoyed at amusement parks, carnivals, sporting events and more, funnel cakes are one of the all-time favorite fun foods. This premier pastry is perfectly fried and comes topped with an irresistible layer of powdered sugar. And many have found this tasty treat is a recipe for success. Let’s take an inside look at the funnel cake business with concessionaire, Corey Lyons.

• How did you get started in the concession business?  “After being told it was a ‘recession proof’ business, I did my research. I realized there was a lot of potential and the risks were low. I decided to just start out small and rented a fryer. Business took off quicker than I expected and it wasn’t long before I purchased my first two fryers.”

• Why funnel cakes?  “Everyone loves funnel cakes. I’ve never heard anyone say they don’t like funnel cakes. They’re popular and you can make them quickly, which means you can serve more customers.”

• Tell us about the profit potential.  “It will vary based on the event and the level of experience. However, it’s simple math. Funnel cakes can sell on average from $3.00 – $5.00. Yet, it costs less than $1.00 to make. So you will yield as much as $4.00 profit on each cake.”

• What do you sell at your stand?  “We sell the 6-inch size funnel cakes. I feel they’re the most inviting size. We do offer toppings like apple or strawberry too. Additional items that we sell are beverages and on occasion, cotton candy.”

• How do you get business?  “Honestly, most of my business is via word-of-mouth. We do anything from birthday parties to church events to large festivals. To protect your position and secure pricing, I always suggest coming up with a contract when booking.”

• Do you have any special tips?  “Practice, practice, practice. You have to be able to move fast to keep the lines moving. Be prepared with all your supplies (mix, plates, forks, napkins, etc.). Because if you’re not, it will just slow you down.”

• Explain the philosophy behind your business.  “I try to make it as simple as possible. Don’t try to do too many different products at once. The best thing you can do is find out what you do well and focus on that.”

• What advice do you have for those starting out in the concession business?  “First, do your research. Really understand what it takes. Seek out those with experience. Align with a dependable supplier who can help you navigate as you grow your business. And most importantly, make sure you enjoy what you do.”

Beach Cities Wholesalers has been helping concessionaires start their own fun food businesses, both large and small. Put our knowledge and experience to work for you! Interested in learning more? Contact BCW at 562-355-4074 or email info@beachcitieswholesalers.com.