Concession stands show up at almost every high school event: football games, track meets, school plays, weekend tournaments. If there’s a crowd, someone is selling snacks nearby. It keeps people fed, gives parents a way to pitch in, and often brings in money for the program.
It also gets chaotic fast.
Halftime hits and the line doubles. Someone hands you a twenty for a $3 item. Another person asks if you take Venmo. A volunteer is trying to keep orders straight while people keep adding to them.
It’s fun, but without the right system in place, it can fall apart quickly.
Choosing the right concession stand menu
A good concession stand menu does more work than people think. When it works, people already know what they want before they reach the front.
If you’re figuring out what to sell at a concession stand, start simple and build from there.
- Classics: hot dogs, popcorn, nachos, pretzels, plus candy, chips, and bottled drinks
- Crowd-pleasers: walking tacos, corn dogs, chicken tenders, pigs in a blanket, boiled peanuts, funnel cakes
- Seasonal favorites: lemonade, snow cones, cotton candy, or a hot chocolate station for colder games
- Grab-and-go: popcorn mixes, granola bars, trail mix, or baked chips
- Healthier options: fruit and veggie cups, pretzels with hummus, or yogurt parfaits
A few reminders to make things easier:
- Keep the list of options short so volunteers are not juggling too many items and you don’t have waste at the end
- Put the menu where people can read it while they wait
- Be sure to clearly label anything that may have allergens or common dietary restrictions
You can add more later. What matters is keeping the line moving.
Concession stand pricing tips
Pricing can make a big difference in how smoothly your stand runs and how much you bring in.
Keep prices simple and easy to read so customers can make quick decisions. Round numbers like $2, $3, or $5 help speed up transactions and reduce confusion during busy moments.
Combo deals are another easy way to increase sales. Pairing items like a drink and snack at a slightly discounted price can encourage larger orders without slowing things down.
Make sure your price list is clearly displayed so volunteers are not repeating prices and customers are not holding up the line asking questions.
Set up your stand for speed
A simple setup behind the stand makes a big difference. Use menu boards or chalkboards so people can decide before ordering, and keep price lists clear and easy to read.
Use shelving or tiered displays to organize candy and chips so everything is visible and easy to grab. If space is tight, rotating chip racks can help keep your counter clear.
Keeping your layout organized helps volunteers move faster and keeps lines from backing up. You do not need everything, but a few items can make things easier:
- Popcorn machine
- Hot dog roller or steamer
- Food warmers
- Griddle or grill
- Cooler for drinks
- Secure cash box
Additionally, have these items ready so nothing slows you down:
- Napkins, trays, cups, utensils
- Serving tools like tongs and scoops
- Condiments and foil
Simplifying concession stand logistics
Once the line builds, the issue is not the food; it’s taking payments and tracking who paid.
Cheddar Up gives you one place to manage payments so you are not figuring things out during a rush. With Cheddar Up, you can:
- Take credit cards and track cash in the same place
- Use Tap to Pay on your phone
- Add a card reader for faster checkout
Multiple volunteers can take payments at the same time, which helps during peak moments. Share the event code with volunteers and they can start taking payments right away. You can spread people out instead of funneling everything through one person.
Customers can pay without downloading anything or creating an account, which keeps transactions quick and simple. And everything still ends up in one place, which makes closing out the night easier.
Pro Tip: Templates give you a starting point with a menu, payments, and even donations already set up. You can get everything live quickly and adjust as needed. Get started with this free concession stand template.
Keep volunteers organized
Getting volunteers together can be just as challenging as running the stand, especially when shifts overlap and people are coming and going throughout the event. When no one is quite sure who is covering what, things slow down fast and it puts more pressure on the people who are there.
Cheddar Up keeps everything in one place so shifts are clear and nothing gets missed. With it, you can:
- Set up shifts
- Collect contact info
- Send automated reminders
Assign simple roles like payments, food prep, and restocking so no one is trying to do everything at once. Shorter shifts also help keep volunteers engaged and on time.
Get started with this free concession stand volunteer sign up template.
Add simple themes and extras
Small touches can make your concession stand more memorable and bring more people in.
Think Friday night lights, a classic ballpark setup, or a carnival-style stand. Even small changes like naming combos or menu items can make the experience more engaging, like “Touchdown Tenders” or “Home Run Snacks”.
Here are a few easy ways to make your concession stand memorable:
- Banners and decor in school colors
- Balloon arches
- String lights for evening games
- Music with a small speaker
And if you have the space and extra volunteers, you can also offer items like sunscreen, bug spray, or team merch using the same setup.
Real groups, real results
A baseball little league used Cheddar Up to run concessions during a busy season.
They introduced $10 punch cards with a simple QR code at the stand. Families could pay by card, grab a punch card, and use it throughout the season. No cash needed, no extra equipment.
"We don’t have a POS at concessions, so the punch cards let us offer card payments without needing extra tech. Families loved it." — Jennifer Ryan, Board Vice President, South Portland Little League
Exclusive GHSA Team plan, free for booster clubs
As the official payment partner of GHSA, Cheddar Up gives teams and booster clubs access to the Team plan at no cost. It includes unlimited items and forms, point-of-sale tools for concession stands, ticketing, a group website, and access for unlimited managers. You’ll also get lower processing fees and advanced reporting tools to keep everything organized and easy to review.
Don’t wait until the next game to get organized.
Claim your free GHSA Team plan and simplify your setup today.
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