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Snack Corner

The power of the front line: Good first impressions ensure your customers will return

The power of the front line: Good first impressions ensure your customers will return

I recently had a conversation with a hotel manager who happened to be at the desk when I checked out. He wanted to know how my stay was and I told him it was great because of his staff. The entire staff, from check-in to restaurant to bell desk, was really courteous and professional. We talked...
The tradeshow circuit: Making the rounds of industry events brings valuable insights

The tradeshow circuit: Making the rounds of industry events brings valuable insights

Have you attended a tradeshow since ShoWest? If you haven’t, there are several recently concluded shows you should consider for next year, and several coming up this summer and fall that you might want to look into....
Branching out: FUNacho expands with new brands

Branching out: FUNacho expands with new brands

FUNacho has come to be known as a company that produces quality nacho products, acquiring loyal customers along the way. But they are growing into something more. They are listening to their client base and becoming more of a product development company. For well over 15 years, FUNacho has...
Summer sizzle: Blockbusters heat up the concession stand

Summer sizzle: Blockbusters heat up the concession stand

Here we are back at the opening of the summer season, 2010. We set a pretty high bar with the 2009 box office—can we compete with last year’s stellar summer? You bet. We have a great lineup of summer movies and a great schedule of concession promotions to follow. Iron Man 2 kicked off the party...
Something new this way comes: Tradeshows highlight latest concession products

Something new this way comes: Tradeshows highlight latest concession products

With another ShoWest and ShowCanada down, we know the value of industry conventions. We see multiple business partners in one venue, we attend seminars about industry trends, and we attend the tradeshow. The tradeshow provides the opportunity to actually communicate in person with the people that...
The price saga continues...Media sensationalizes cinema profit margins

The price saga continues...Media sensationalizes cinema profit margins

Did you see it too? CNN kicked off the month of February with a report on “America’s Biggest Ripoffs.” The report was online at CNNmoney.com and also broadcast on the cable network. Movie theatre popcorn was the lead-in to the segment, which blared, “Movie concession operators make a 900% profit...
Clean, lean energy: Environmental guidelines find widespread acceptance

Clean, lean energy: Environmental guidelines find widespread acceptance

A few months ago, I mentioned the role of energy consumption and power resources when adding more diverse offerings at the concession stand. This topic is a big one and deserves some consideration of its own. The movement towards clean and efficient energy has affected all commercial operations,...
Kernel of inspiration: Brian Taylor brings new seasonings to 'naked popcorn'

Kernel of inspiration: Brian Taylor brings new seasonings to 'naked popcorn'

You know a good story when you hear it, right? Well, if you don’t know Brian Taylor and the story of Kernel Season’s, you are in for a treat. It’s a great success story, both for him personally and for the theatre industry. He introduced a smart way to market and sell popcorn seasoning and has...
Choices and challenges: More food options equals more management

Choices and challenges: More food options equals more management

I often write about finding new products to introduce at the concession stand, and I recently discussed milkshakes and their potential contribution. But a big operational issue that this particular item brings with it is equipment. When new products are brought to the concession stand that are...
Holiday spirit: Getting creative with fourth-quarter promotions

Holiday spirit: Getting creative with fourth-quarter promotions

Yes, it’s that time of year again! A tough economic year is coming to a close heading into fourth quarter, and as we know Scrooge couldn’t stop Christmas from coming, so neither will we. For the retail industry, there is trepidation and hope that it will be a bright spot in the year. As for the...