Consider expanding your amenities with food.  Packaged food and beverage can be a profitable addition once you have everything else in place to handle rentals. Food service may make sense at your location(s) if there is adequate demand and if your contract allows you to sell food.

When Considering Offering Food, Start with These Elements:

• Can you do simple water and other beverages?  These are natural add-ons for customers renting on a hot day.
• If you are in an area where there is a lot of picnicking, demand for food may be limited because people are bringing their own food, however ice cream tends to be quite successful in these environments.
• Does your contract allow for food? If not you’ll need to get your contract modified in order to offer it. Do you feel you have the ability to achieve this with your contract?
• Does your facility allow for offering food? Consider storage space, counter tops, electricity, etc.
• Do you have a strong manager in place and/or high-quality staff? There will be additional duties in tracking inventory, restocking, re-ordering, etc.

Other Tips & Things to Consider as you Move Forward: 

• Plan out projected revenue and expenses. Make sure to consider cost of goods (including paper goods), health permit, spoilage (if offering fresh food), possible loss from employee theft, and possible additional labor.  Consider any one-time set-up expenses you may incur to get started: refrigerators, freezers, food racks, or other equipment (Tip: refrigerators, freezers, and other equipment are often available for free from beverage and ice cream suppliers).
• Get a gauge for sales numbers. Was there a concessionaire in your location before you who offered food? If so, see if you can get revenue numbers through the Freedom of Information Act and/or fish around for some answers from your contacts at Parks.
• Review your facility or kiosk. Is it large enough? Does it have the necessary electrical hookups or is that something you will have to get wired for? Does it have storage space?
• Review Health Department Regulations. Different regulations exist in each state. It’s a great place to begin educating yourself on what will be expected of your location. Especially if you are considering more than packaged food, some health departments require certification of staff members, so you’ll want to know that before moving forward.
• Set up a tracking system. Come up with a system on how you will track food inventory and supplies, and a schedule for re-ordering and restocking.

We have found that bottled beverages, ice cream, and other packaged food like chips or candy are an easy add-on that require relatively little effort, little or no additional labor, and will add to your bottom line.

Current WFR Locations that Offer Food:

All over the nation, a variety of Wheel Fun Rental locations offer a variety of different types of food and beverages, from simple beverages in New Orleans, Louisiana, to complicated menus in Richfield, Minnesota, and Thonotosassa, Florida and extraordinary fudge and treats in North Carolina!

Below are some of the WFR food locations.

Dana Point, CA – Doheny State Beach
Irwindale, CA – Santa Fe Dam
Orange, CA – Irvine Park
Denver, CO – Washington Park
Fort Myers, FL – Lakes Regional Park
Seminole, FL – Lake Seminole Park
New Orleans, LA – City Park
Richfield, MN – Veteran’s Memorial Park
Carolina Beach, NC – on the Boardwalk
Philadelphia, PA – Boathouse Row
Queens, NY – Flushing Meadows

If you feel like offering food would be a good addition to your location, or if you are contemplating it and need more insight, contact Wheel Fun Central.