Concession Stand Countdown Calendar

What makes concession stands possible at schools, churches, youth sports and nonprofits? It’s the volunteers!

Volunteer concession stand managers work hard to accomplish a lot within a limited time frame and on a tight budget. Wondering how to get started? To help organize the responsibilities and prioritize their time, we’ve developed this Concession Stand Countdown Calendar. Each phase breaks down the schedule and duties into a manageable step-by-step process.

3-6 Months Prior	–          Begin by investigating your equipment needs. Evaluate if there is equipment that needs service or if a new machine is necessary. –          Plan your menu and pricing. Think of a new item(s) you can potentially add. –          Consult with your concession specialist. Your supplier can advise you according to your specific needs.
2-3 Months Prior	–          Place your equipment order. –          Recruit your volunteer staff. The more specific you can be in defining the responsibilities, the better. –          Ask for business sponsorships. This can be either for monetary donations or supplies you will need. Give them credit in signage or via announcements at your event.
1-2 Months Prior	–          Mention your concession stand as you promote the event. Ways you can market include:  social media, emails, flyers, etc. –          Plan what signage and/or menu boards you will need for the day of the event. –          Place your supply order. This will include food items, napkins, utensils, condiments, etc.
2-4 Weeks Prior	–          Do a demonstration of the equipment and taste-test the products. –          Learn the process of properly cleaning the equipment. –          Conduct a training session with your volunteers.
1 Week Prior	–          Do a complete cleaning of the concession stand. Wipe down tables/serving areas, sweep and do any necessary improvements. –          Confirm your volunteer shifts. –          Double check your inventory of items.
Day Of	–          Set up at least one hour prior to the start. –          Have a leader available at the site in case of questions or any issues. –          Have fun! Find creative ways to keep the enthusiasm levels up and everyone will enjoy themselves.
After	–          Make sure everything has been properly shut down. –          Thoroughly clean the machines. –          Take notes, track your sales and determine what worked and what didn’t.

Get help every step of the way! Whether you’re just beginning or seeking the next level of improvement, we can partner with you to achieve your concession stand goals. To get started, call us at

Curious about Making Caramel Corn?

For a rich, candy-coated confection, nothing satisfies like caramel corn! It is not only a flavorful snack, but also a highly profitable product. Creating your own flavorful blend allows you to mix science and creativity. There are different methods for you to choose from and certain tips to help you make the best caramel corn batch after batch.

Corn Choice – If you’re just starting out, you may not know there are different types of popcorn. Monster Mushroom is the top recommendation for caramel corn, as its larger size is easy to coat, plus it is less likely to break. Butterfly kernels are light and tender, not recommended for caramelizing.

Mixes – For cookers/mixers, Caramel Corn Treat Mixes come in different formulations, allowing you the level of customization you want. Complete Corn Treat Mixes only require you to add water. One-Step Mixes include oil, but you add sugar and water. With Corn Treat Concentrate Mixes, you can add your own sugar, oil and water. Experiment and see what works best for you!

What about Butter? – If you like to use real butter, do not add it during the cooking process. Butter burns at a much lower temperature and can ruin your batch. Add it when the buzzer sounds. The butter should totally melt by the time the mixing/coating process is complete.

Avoid Stickiness – One of the challenges you may encounter with caramel corn is having the pieces stick and clump together. Free-N-Easy Candy Corn Separator will take care of this issue. Spray about 15-20 squirts into the tumbling mixture in the drum during the last 45-60 seconds of mixing.

Humidity and Altitude – Two factors that can have an impact on your caramel corn are humidity and altitude. For humidity, you’ll want to increase your heat as the humidity increases and lower your heat as the humidity decreases. Also, water boils at a lower temperature at higher altitudes. To prevent the glaze from crystallizing, add more water to prolong the cooking cycle.

Alternative Method – Even if you don’t have a cooker/mixer, you can still make great-tasting caramel corn. Thanks to Glaze Pop^®, you simply add the mix into your kettle with your corn and oil. Batches will come out mostly coated, with an overall sweet finish. Available in flavor varieties including cherry, chocolate and vanilla latte, Glaze Pop^® offers a simple way for you to expand your menu. 

Want to learn more? Our knowledgeable consultants can provide insights into equipment set-up options, profitability calculations and comprehensive training. We’ve helped others be successful and we’d love to have a conversation with you! Call Beach Cities Wholesalers at 562-355-4074!