Robert Berman of mobilecateringbusiness.com
One of the most difficult challenges that new food concession operators face is how to find venues such as fairs, festivals, and other events and then how to convince the management of those venues that it is in their best interests to have them attend.
Fairs and festivals are always looking for new and somewhat unique items to have at their venue. After all, they want increased attendance and fairs and festivals that are always the same have a tendency to see attendance slowly drop from one year to next.
If you, as a new food concession operator, are providing nothing more than a "me too" menu with nothing new, exciting, or out of the ordinary, you will definitely have an uphill challenge to obtain space. New and exciting does not have to mean some exotic food, although a new or unusual food concept is usually a fair management grabber. It can mean a well or uniquely decorated trailer, or unusual outfits for the staff. Always be careful if you are trying to promote anything that is audio oriented, theme music can be a negative as far as some fair managers are concerned.