Skip to main content

I have a feeling this could generate a lot of discussion, but here goes.
I am about to purchase an FEC-100. I have an opportunity in front of me that looks like this: I can share a space on a corner directly across the street from the main entrance to the Minnesota State Fair. The guy I am sharing with is willing to front the rental for the space, and we can sell whatever we want with the exception of bottled water (the owner of the lot reserved that for himself).
A few feet away is a roasted corn vendor. 3 houses down is someone doing fried cheese curds, corn dogs, and tater tots.
For those not familiar with the Minnesota State Fair - it attracts nearly 2 million people over a 12 day period, this year from August 27 til Labor Day.
My natural objection is whether fairgoers will pay for food OUTSIDE the fair - even if the entrance is just across the street?
To that end, my thinking is to do "red hots" - smoked hot dogs! That and pulled pork sandwiches. In addition, I'll sell soda and ice cream bars.
The rent on the space is $5,000; although I'll only be responsible for half - again fully fronted......I just need to show up and cook.
To me this seems like a no brainer, but I've not been down this road before.
My question to the forum is - has anyone sold OUTSIDE a main event and been successful (I am told that there is opportunity with the impulse teen buyer and the later, drinking, fairgoer)?
Also - I think I may be too focused on pulled pork. Does anyone have a suggestion as to another easy sell on the FEC?
I think that should be enough to ignite a good discussion... Thanks in advance!
Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

I have no clue. This might be a case of "you's pays your money and you's takes your chances".

All that foot traffic sounds exciting, but they might be saving their money for food inside the gates going in, or feeling bad about how much they spent on their way out. You might want to sell Tums for $10 each.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
Interesting. Around here, they have the outside of the fan controlled to prevent just that thing.
If there are other vendors, then the only question I have is traffic. Will they be walking by your booth or driving?

$2500 for a corner, hope he pro rates it by size and you get 1/2 of space.

Plus the cost of the smoker and food.

Have you figured out what you'll need to sell to break even? I'd figure that in the calculation.

And think capacity and food safety (health dept) are they going to check?

Question on butts or not is what will sell? If you sell BBQ sandwiches (PB on a bun) do they want that in that area? How will they know to try your stuff?

You can cook the butts ahead, and server but have to keep a safe holding temp.

I wouldn't do dogs, maybe a smoked bratwurst or something a little larger than a dog so you can sell it for more than a HD
It's a "captive audience" in that pedestrian traffic funnels down both streets to arrive at this corner - then they wait at the light before being allowed to cross by a policeman - then into the main entrance.
Food vending is allowed - there is a roasted corn vendor next door and three doors down are corn dogs and cheese curds.
Since it's a 12 day run, I'm thinking about doing something simple (dogs, brats, or sausages) plus ice cream bars and soda for sale. I'm buying the FEC anyway, so I may throw some butts on in the morning, and offer sandwiches late in the afternoon until they sell out.
Could even do tri-tip sandwiches or brisket sandwiches on other days just for fun. Again, I have 12 days to play with this - which is why I'm very open to ideas any of you have had success with.
Trapped hungry pedestrians could equal business. Another hopeful is the evening crowd coming out of the concerts....
What about smoked turkey legs? If you've got a source, they sell great around here.

Ever seen the BBQ sundae? Pulled pork, beans, slaw, something like that in a bowl?

Maybe sell "take home" to, thinking about capturing the crowd as they leave,

12 days is a long run, so being there will allow some return business.

Basically $200 a day rental, so maybe you've got a good shot.

Sounds interesting.

Make SURE to set the FE on "smoke" so the smell gets them going by
I just found out that I am able to sell until midnight at this corner spot! Why is that a big deal? Well, the concerts inside the fair let out around 11pm, and the food vendors inside have closed up shop by then. They'll be flooding out the main exit "like locusts" around 11:15 every night.
I did food on fairs for about 12 years. You are "outside" and your crowds will be moving pretty fast. As far as the blow off from the concerts, they are usually looking to leave and seldom stop. We used to work the blow off with stuff that you just handed out the windows. They won't wait for you to make it. McDonalds is just down the road and they know what to expect. Your biggest drawing card will be seen with the customers eyes long before their noses. Play that to your advantage and keep the place looking professional and keep a smell in the air. I would run from hot dogs. I would have a 1/2 lb sandwich for a low price. I understand that at State Fair pricing a sausage sandwich is over $8. Funnel Cakes are $5. So you have to make the customer remember that you are outside. Also, the average persons IQ drops about 40 points when they reach the midway. Good luck, but step carefully.
JimBob
Understood JimBob and thanks for your input. We're thinking of keeping it simple - popcorn, soda, and ice cream bars. I'll set up my FEC to cook fun items "while they last." Since we have 12 days, maybe we'll hit on something that doesn't last very long! Initially, pulled pork is the thought for the afternoon/evening crowd - but we may play with smoked then fried chicken wings. The FEC may or may not be the star of the show, but the smell can't hurt.
I'll stop by and check it out.

I showed hogs in the open class for 26 years and still go watch. We bunk above the barn in the dorms, which we call the "Hog Hilton". Triple bunks, but the showers are hot and the toilets flush.

We need a late night vendor near the barns,after a hard day of beer drinking and looking at pigs. There used to be an all night place in the east end of the cattle barn, but the fire marshall shut them down 10 years ago.

I assume when you say by the main entrance you refer to the one on Dan Patch Ave by the Space Needle. That might not be bad, it looks like a bus stop there.

www.mnstatefair.org/pages/fairgrounds_map.html

Good Luck!

Add Reply

×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×