Blog - Festival Food Vendors

FestivalNet

by jaida, posted July 26, 2015

I didn't read the original article. I would have agreed with the $500 start-up cost statement - until I tried a little experiment recently and failed miserably.

I am an Arts and Craft Lady and host shows accordingly. I've always had a secret fantasy to be a candy lady with an attractive candy stand.

I offered my skills in vendor accrual and event room setup for a free spot at a 1st annual event for another host.

I took advantage of an unfilled booth space for this event and set out to live out my Candy Land Fantasy for a day. $35.00 each for 2 more spots, $20.00 for table rentals, $75.00 each for Popcorn and Cotton Candy Machines and Supplies, $84.00 for candy. I had bags, tags, dispensers, & display props borrowed from my brothers ice cream supplies. (No cost there). This cost was just over $300.00. (The price of 1 small table top popcorn maker, I thought ) I offered a "free spot prize" won at one of my own fairs to an organic, gourmet barrista for this event instead of one of my own fairs. I commissioned a clown for the day. He would provide face painting and flash dances throughout the day. My children's crafts table was set up next to the candy stand. A toy and funky sock vendor was on the ' and other side of the candy stand. A father/young daughter craft vendor was directly across the candy stand.

It was a "no brainer" and "sure fire" set up. Except - There were NO CHILDREN! That's right. The venue was a community center/early learning & child care center set across the street from a vacation bible school and NO children attended the event.

I should have known it was going to be a bad day when the clown called a week prior to inform me of a funeral in his family. No problem, I thought ( I always keep a face painter and balloon twister on alternate listing for emergencies). The big day arrived - The family members I hired to work the candy stand had car trouble (this they informed me of- but the alternate driver never arrived to pick them up!) The host of the event failed to inform me that the barrista had fallen and injured her knee badly (her partner was already on vacation!) Now we didn't have a coffee vendor. How many vendors go to bed late, wake up early, and search for that coffee and chocolate fix the minute they arrive for set-up time? No coffee - No chocolate purchases.

The alternates and craft assistant called or stopped by to check in for the afternoon shift. We agreed to cancel contracts for the day. The barrista showed up (all bandaged & sore) and sold iced fruit teas near the host's baked goods table. I worked my candy & craft booths my self. These were expenses that I didn't have to pay out or owe.

It was the worst day for fair expenses ever in my history of small events. The candy is now in my freezer and pantry. My fantasy remains ...a fantasy...with a sour after-thought.

In regards to a $500.00 startup fee for a concession business? Nope. I think it would be just enough to set up to fail. My story tells of that "rainy day" that just ruins everything. I was a believer of the quick start until I tried it.

by kilroy036, posted April 16, 2015

there is also a company out there called ACCION. they helped my acquire financing for my kettle korn business when my income was ridiculous - these loans are sponsored by some pretty big names in the business world that started out small and were struggling themselves until someone helped them out. for instance the company that backed up my loan was "SAMUEL ADAMS BREWRYS". I just happened to stumble across this company, but they're out there -- just keep pluggin and you'll find what you are looking for........

by mobilefood, posted January 28, 2013

Discount Food Trucks can assist big or small concession businesses with Financing their Mobile Business. We Partner with finance companies that can arrange financing on Mobile Carts, Trailers, and Food Trucks

Laura Burrell
Mobile Food Consultant
www.discountfoodtrucks.com
267-738-1656

by raina, posted January 28, 2013

JBacks,
I purchase my General Liability (1,000,000 limit) directly through my property and casualty agent, who also writes my homeowners, auto and WC policy. It is extremely inexpensive at $500 a year for multiple rigs. I too, am in New England so if you want to contact me for my company, please feel free. Raina@keiferskettlekorn.com

by lbaughey, posted January 25, 2013

I agree with the fact that you can not start the business for $500. I have a spreadsheet that shows my cost for just having the business and these are the cost I incur even if I never sign up for any events and the cost is over $3K a year. You have to pay for your annual license, you pay for insurance on the concession trailer, you pay for the annual report that is required and this is different from you annual license, you pay for insurance on the towing vehicle. depending on where you live you have to pay for storage of your concession trailer and since we have refrigerators and freezers onthe trailer we must find a storage facility that is equipped for these needs. If you have an RV you must pay for insurance on the RV, you have to pay registration for the RV and the towing vehicle and other expenses, so it is impossible to start a concession business with just $500. The other thing to consider is many of the promoters tell you the are having 15K attend the event and plan on having 20 food vendors and it is impossible to make a profit when you have that many food vendors and the majority of the time the events only have about 7K attend and have all these food vendors and you end up losing money, because the fees to enter the majority of these events range any where from $500 to $1K for a 2 or 3 day event. I can tell you it is getting harder and harder to find good events and promoters that are honest. Once they get your money the do not care if you make money or not, because they already have your money. Also, the promoters duplicate food at the event and will tell you that they will have only 2 food vendors selling the same item and once you get to the event they have 4 or 5 selling the items you have, plus these vendors had a special menu that you can not duplicate and they are also selling the exact same items you have on your menu and that is an issue I have had at many events and event had the promoters make the other food vendors take off the item, because that is not fair and good business when you have been told you are the only one selling a particular item, or just 1 other food vendor will be selling the same item as you. Once in this business you learn to stick up for yourself and realize that if a promoter is not going to be honest than you will not continue to conduct business with them and will let other food vendors be aware of the promoters. I like that FNO allows you to put comments out there for other food vendors to see and wish more people would comment on events that they have attended as a food vendor. I have put plenty of comments out there for other food vendors and hope it helps them from getting in a show that will not make them money.

by lilypads, posted January 25, 2013

go on line for insurance policys, We purchased event insurance on line very reasonable

by lilypads, posted January 25, 2013

have run a very successfuk concession business for 3 years. Do small town events with big return. use a 10x10 tent we are very out going family and kid friendly. Some do not require insurance Most are very reasonable to rent space at. Now after 3 years we are going to open a permenant location. No more lifting and carring equiptment no more early am traveling and no more worries of rain and wind. No more sitting out in the hot sun and all the problems that go along with hot summers.Mary

by jbacks, posted January 25, 2013

I agree with raina's post. I purchased Barb's book, FNO membership(which I might add was my best investment). I've only done 1 show in 3 years due to health reasons. I just want to say, the insurance alone was over $1500 for the year.

I live in a small town and had trouble finding insurance other than for a year. Perhaps, and I would appreciate it, there could be an article on where to purchase insurance. I live on the East coast and called some of the #'s in the book.
I ended up paying $750 for liabillity and when through a temp employment agency where I had to pay them over $14.00 an hour per employee.

I'm glad Barb retracted her statement because it IS very misleading. The county where I lived wouldn't even give me a health permit without proof of insurance.

by raina, posted January 25, 2013

Thank You for retracting that comment that a concession can be started for $500. It just gives people false hope and has them spin their wheels for nothing. You would have NO chance of getting into any DECENT, money making events with a rinky dink set up and here in CT , the health depts wouldn't even let you vend.
$10,000 would be a more realisticc outlay for a very SMALL operation that you may be able to grow, providing you are willing to reinvest every dollar you can get your hands on for the next 3 years. Don't plan on getting paid for awhile or paying any employees.