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Written by John Gibson, UCMT

Concession Tip October 2018

A Hot Chocolate Solution

By:John Gibson, University of North Texas

Here in North Texas, the weather may not turn as cold compared to several other NACC Members; nonetheless, we still have a need to produce and sell Hot Chocolate 1-2 Football games a season. While our Concession Stands are equipped with a hot water heater, the temperature only reaches around 130 degrees Fahrenheit, which is not adequate to produce quality hot chocolate. Additionally, the hot water heaters can run out of hot water after just a couple of batches. Therefore, our Concessions Operation was in need of a Hot Water Solution that could keep enough Hot Water supplied for hot chocolate sales throughout a Football game.

Years ago, a former Vendor of mine provided a great idea which I have utilized multiple times. The idea is simple: a Tankless Water Heater, converted to use Liquid Propane as a fuel source, can provide an endless amount of Hot Water to mix and serve Hot Chocolate throughout your stadium or arena. As long as there is enough propane on hand, this Tankless Hot Water System can produce gallons of hot water, to a maximum water temperature of 167 degrees. This temperature range allows the water to maintain a hot temperature, even after mixing with your hot chocolate powder.

The execution of the idea was fairly straightforward. Online, I was able to purchase a Tankless Hot Water Heater and ship it to my Concessions Warehouse within a couple of business days. With the help of our campus Facilities team, we mounted the tankless water heater onto a two-wheel dolly, connected an LP Regulator and connection hose to the gas in-take valve, and fitted the water inlet and outflow connections with NSF Food Grade Water hoses. After changing the hot water temperature setting to 167 degrees, and plugging the control panel into an electrical socket, we had hot water available instantly.

Written by By Chef Kari Magee Michigan State University

Concession Tip April 2018

Allergens

At Michigan State University Concessions, we pride ourselves on leading with food. If you come to our Stadium or Arenas, you can find a variety of options from Healthy Grab and Go’s, Loaded Pork BBQ Sliders, a Cheesy Beefsteak Sandwich or our unique hotdog, made just for our Concessions. Now, would you think that the hotdog has milk in it or the grilled chicken you are eating has soy in the marinade? If you don’t have an issue with eating these ingredients, you probably wouldn’t. But what about the fans that do?

Written by Christopher Lauber

Concesssion Tip February 2018

Staff Appreciation

By: Chris Lauber, University of North Dakota at R.E. Arena

Do you have a program in place for staff appreciation? If you do, that is fantastic and keep it up! If you don’t, put it on your to do list to figure out some way to show appreciation to your staff, it goes a long way. For 10 the years I spent at an account in Denver, CO; I never had the chance to do a staff appreciation program, end of year party, or even just a holiday party. When I got to Oregon in 2013, we did both holiday parties and end of season parties. Now I’m at Ralph Engelstad Arena at North Dakota University and we have a whole program for staff appreciation.

Here are some of the items we do for our staff:

Christmas Party for each department (required by management)
Twice a season, we feed all staff a catered dinner before the game. Usually simple like chili or pasta bake. (Staff does not get free meals or drinks during events, only half off pricing)
End of season Staff Appreciation Dinner and Awards night
Above and Beyond Program
If you get nominated, your name goes in a monthly drawing for gift cards.
At the end of the season, all names are put back in the drawing and we draw one name and they get tickets, hotel, and food for the NCHC Playoffs in Minneapolis, MN

Written by Chuck Aldridge

Site Visit - University Maryland Basketball Game

Several years ago, a few NACC schools offered to host a football or basketball event for any of our members to attend. This provided a great opportunity for our members to see another operation in action.

University of Maryland wanted to start this again, they invited members to join them at the Saturday, February 24 at 12 Noon when the Maryland Terrapins host the Michigan Wolverines! Michigan won the game but it was still a fun time for concessions that day!!

They started the morning with a quick tour of the facility and talk about our Concessions and Catering operations. During the event, you were free to roam around the building observing, eating, taking notes, and see how they operate concessions at Maryland. After the event, we regrouped and Chuck answered questions. Catering staff, was invite to attend as well where they observed suite and club room service.

Our building holds 17,950 and has 12 permanent concessions stands, 2 hot food carts, 1 Chick Fil A Cart and 7 beer cart locations. Beer is sold in all locations with the exception of the food carts and Chick Fil A. We have 20 suites along with 2 pre-game and half-time bar areas.

This was a free event! Maryland provided you with access for the game and food. All you had to be responsible for was all travel, hotel and any other costs.

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