I worked in concessions & merchandise management for over 40 years, including 16 with the same company. Started working at Hilton as a student when it opened & went on salaried staff at the Center. Spent 12 years there, moved to LA, started working at the LA Coliseum & Sports Arena for the '84 Olympics.
In LA, we had USC (& Raiders) football at the Coliseum & USC M&W BB ( & Clippers) at the Arena. We sold beer at both venues.
JP is missing out on a huge revenue stream. Yes there is problems with crowd control. We had do be VERY strict with ID checks in the student sections. You could get your ID checked ahead of time at separate tables, and receive a ink stamp on your hand.
It sounds from the comments like the concessions at the stadium already has problems serving the crowds. Is there a problem at Hilton too? Sounds like they don't have enough service lines. If that is the case, it will take a major investment from someone...the University or the Concessionaire, just to expand service.
To do draft beer properly, you need to have refrigeration for kegs, and chilled beer lines from keg to taps. Tough investment for 6 - 7 events a year. You would have to have some added events like concerts, tractor pulls, motocross, etc. Draft beer is more profitable than bottled or canned. Bottles & cans are more difficult (and expensive) to clean up than paper or plastic cups. Also bottles & cans can be thrown at refs, players, fans, whoever.
The Coliseum held 92,000 for football. The Arena held up to 20,000 for BB. Hilton is 14,000, Trice 65,000? At the Coliseum, we could open up 375-400 service lines from about 60 locations. Beer sales were about 30% of sales on USC games, 40% on Raiders games (go figure). So there is a lot of money to be made, but a lot of investment too. I'm not sure what the deal is with the concessionaire but it sounds like some investment is needed in Trice & Hilton "concessions without adding beer sales.
I first interpreted this in an entirely different context.You will never completely eliminate those but my view is people will generally better moderate if they can just get some in the stadium.
I haven't been able to attend at JTS for a couple of seasons. Does it still have lines to concession booths that extend across the concourse, instead of a roped/snaked arrangement, like a normal venue?I've been fortunate enough to attend a very large variety of sporting events of all types around the globe. Professional football, basketball, baseball, hockey in the US and Canada, men's and women's golf, men's and women's tennis, auto racing, European soccer and too many college sports to count.
So, I don't say this lightly, but ISU, particularly JTS, has easily the worst concession service I have ever experienced. I understand they are staffed by volunteers, but it is incredible.
Throw in the hundreds of concert venues I've been to and the fact that they are still dead last makes it that much more impressive.
I haven't been able to attend at JTS for a couple of seasons. Does it still have lines to concession booths that extend across the concourse, instead of a roped/snaked arrangement, like a normal venue?
![]()
Jamie Pollard's Take on Iowa State Alcohol Sales Just Doesn't Make Sense
Any list of the top athletic directors would be incomplete without Iowa State’s Jamie Pollard. Since 2005, Pollard has been in charge of Cyclone athletics and has done a fantastic job there. Whether it’s facility renovations, Cy-Town, and, most importantly, his coaching hires, numerous data...www.heartlandcollegesports.com
featured
Jamie Pollard: Beer For the Snobs, But Not for the ‘Slobs’
Hi DaveI worked in concessions & merchandise management for over 40 years, including 16 with the same company. Started working at Hilton as a student when it opened & went on salaried staff at the Center. Spent 12 years there, moved to LA, started working at the LA Coliseum & Sports Arena for the '84 Olympics.
In LA, we had USC (& Raiders) football at the Coliseum & USC M&W BB ( & Clippers) at the Arena. We sold beer at both venues.
JP is missing out on a huge revenue stream. Yes there is problems with crowd control. We had do be VERY strict with ID checks in the student sections. You could get your ID checked ahead of time at separate tables, and receive a ink stamp on your hand.
It sounds from the comments like the concessions at the stadium already has problems serving the crowds. Is there a problem at Hilton too? Sounds like they don't have enough service lines. If that is the case, it will take a major investment from someone...the University or the Concessionaire, just to expand service.
To do draft beer properly, you need to have refrigeration for kegs, and chilled beer lines from keg to taps. Tough investment for 6 - 7 events a year. You would have to have some added events like concerts, tractor pulls, motocross, etc. Draft beer is more profitable than bottled or canned. Bottles & cans are more difficult (and expensive) to clean up than paper or plastic cups. Also bottles & cans can be thrown at refs, players, fans, whoever.
The Coliseum held 92,000 for football. The Arena held up to 20,000 for BB. Hilton is 14,000, Trice 65,000? At the Coliseum, we could open up 375-400 service lines from a
The reason I power drink right before walking into games is I hope to pass out so I don’t have to hear Jackie Schmillen yell into her microphone during the game!