Procedures for Opening Concessions

Generally, it takes about one hour to complete all that needs to be done to be ready to open. Because it takes time to heat water, warm or cook food, etc. Those items should be done first. Then, while everything is heating, the other task can be done. The following is a general list of tasks in an approximate order of execution:

1. Thaw any foods which need to be thawed ( use microwave for frozen chili, BBQ, etc. Wieners thaw well in water. Buns will usually thaw at room temperature or under warming light.)

2. Pour correct levels of water into warmers, coffee makers, etc., and turn on the heat.

a. Cheese/Chili/BBQ Warmer – pour about 1 ½ in. of water into the reservoir in which the pot sets.

b. Coffee Maker – holds approximately 3 canisters of water. Place an empty canister under water outlet of machine, and when water runs out – it is full.

c. Hot Chocolate Machine – fill with water to about 2 in below top. This will give room to add chocolate mix.

d. Hot Dog Warming oven – top of hot dog machine. Pour water in reservoir under tray.

3. Fill warming pots with food – chili, BBQ, etc. The settings these warmers should be set on high until food temperature is above 140 degrees. After that, they should be turned down, unless it is necessary to continually add to the supply (as in a busy football game). The health department requires that all hot foods be held at temperature of 140 degrees or above.

4. Load the hot dog machine. Temperature should normally be set on high to start. Sometimes, if opening is a while off, the temperature can be set lower. Wieners are already cooked, but should be heated thoroughly, and kept hot until served. Depending on size of crowd anticipated, it might be necessary to cook several batches of hot dogs as fast as possible. If this is the case, any cooked wieners can be placed in buns, wrapped and place in the warming open in top of machine.

5. Display Candy. Use candy racks – 2 on home side, 1 on visitor’s side.

6. If hot chocolate is being served, mix chocolate mix into water, and stir well until dissolved. The machine will keep it stirred after that.

7. Prepare nacho trays and frito chili pie trays. Keep warm under warming light.

8. If peanuts are being sold, bag and place under warming light to keep crisp.

9. Set out trays of mustard, ketchup, mayonnaise, relish, sugar and creamer at all serving windows. Fill napkin dispensers, and fill bowls with jalapeño peppers with serving forks.

10. Check soft drinks canisters to be sure there is enough product on line, and turn on CO2, if turned off. Also check if water is turned on.

11. Check temperature for cheese, chili, BBQ, and Hot Dogs.

12. Arrange moneyboxes so that each window has access to one.

13. Clean counters at all serving windows, inside and outside.

Note: The wall plate in the football concessions have numbers on them. These numbers signify electrical circuits. Do not overload a circuit by plugging too many things into them. For example, each microwave, pizza oven, popcorn popper, hot dog machine & hot chocolate machine need separate circuits. Lights and smaller warmers can be doubled up.