Booster clubs and parent volunteers received guidance on managing concession stands at high school events in a statement released on Mar. 24. The advice covers organizing menus, pricing, logistics, and volunteer coordination to ensure smoother operations during busy games and activities.
Concession stands are a staple at many school functions, providing food and drinks while raising funds for various programs. However, organizers say the process can become chaotic without careful planning. The statement outlines several strategies to keep lines moving and reduce confusion.
Suggestions include starting with simple menu items such as hot dogs, popcorn, nachos, candy, chips, and bottled drinks before adding more options like walking tacos or seasonal treats. Organizers also recommend keeping price lists clear with round numbers to speed up transactions and offering combo deals to encourage larger purchases.
The guidance highlights the importance of an organized setup behind the counter using menu boards or chalkboards so customers can decide before ordering. Equipment like popcorn machines or hot dog rollers is suggested for efficiency. Volunteers are encouraged to use shelving or tiered displays for better visibility of snacks.
Managing payments is another focus area. The statement suggests using digital payment platforms that allow credit card transactions alongside cash handling without requiring customers to download apps or create accounts. This approach helps multiple volunteers take payments simultaneously during peak times.
Volunteer organization is also addressed by recommending shift scheduling tools that collect contact information and send reminders so roles such as food prep or restocking are clearly assigned throughout events.
A testimonial from Jennifer Ryan, Board Vice President of South Portland Little League states: “We don’t have a POS at concessions, so the punch cards let us offer card payments without needing extra tech. Families loved it.” Ryan describes how $10 punch cards with QR codes were introduced as an alternative payment method during their baseball season.
The release concludes by noting that booster clubs have access to exclusive team plans with features like unlimited items and forms along with lower processing fees.
