| In today's difficult economy, millions of people are out | | | | closer inspection the advantages may or may not |
| of work and struggling financially. Job seekers are | | | | outweigh the negatives. |
| polishing old resumes and scouring every niche for a | | | | Food Concession Business Pros: |
| wage to replace the one that has been outsourced, | | | | 1. It has the potential to make a large amount of |
| downsized or simply disappeared. Times are indeed | | | | money in a relatively short period of time. |
| tough. But, what if someone's resume reads: | | | | 2. It is a cash business, has minimal licensing |
| ex-convict, minimally skilled, poorly educated, or aging | | | | requirements, and is relatively unregulated. |
| baby boomer? For these people, a job might be | | | | 3. It has high profit potential with a relatively small |
| unattainable. If there ever was a good time for people | | | | investment. |
| to nourish their entrepreneur spirit, now is that time. If | | | | 4. It requires a time investment that is half of that of a |
| you are lucky to have been born with the entrepreneur | | | | regular job. |
| gene, taking responsibility for your own income by | | | | 5. It provides the tax benefits of self-employment. |
| becoming self-employed is a reasonable route to | | | | 6. It empowers the concession operator with absolute |
| financial wellbeing. In addition to being possibly the best | | | | control over nearly all aspects of his or her business. |
| way forward, becoming your own boss is, if nothing | | | | 7. It can be customized to the level of involvement and |
| else, empowering. | | | | earnings that's best for the concessionaire. |
| However, finding and selecting the right business | | | | 8. It provides a financial lifeline during a bad economy. |
| venture is more important now than ever before. Even | | | | 9. It is fairly recession proof- people always need to |
| during a healthy economy starting a new business is a | | | | eat. |
| difficult and risky undertaking. If you're not blessed with | | | | 10. It doesn't require previous experience. |
| special skills and capital resources, finding a bona fide | | | | 11. The entire family can participate in it. |
| business opportunity may seem impossible. One way | | | | 12. It is never boring. |
| to improve your odds of finding a venture that's right | | | | Food Concession Business Cons: |
| for you is by making a list of the criteria you personally | | | | 1. There is no health insurance, disability insurance, sick |
| require in your new business. From there, any startup | | | | leave or a paid vacation benefit. |
| idea that makes the list should be further examined | | | | 2. The concession business can be risky. Income is |
| with its own list of pros and cons. | | | | always uncertain. |
| For some people, initial business venture criteria might | | | | 3. It is vulnerable to unforeseen and uncontrollable |
| be: | | | | circumstances. |
| 1. Has low start-up costs. | | | | 4. It is physically demanding. |
| 2. Requires little prior education or experience. | | | | 5. There is a stigma causing concessionaires to not be |
| 3. Can be run part-time or full time. | | | | considered legitimate small business owners. |
| 4. The family can participate. | | | | 6. It is very competitive. |
| 5. Is recession proof. | | | | Across the country all kinds of people, for all sorts of |
| 6. Has high profit potential. | | | | reasons, operate all types of food booths at fairs, |
| 7. Can become profitable quickly. | | | | festivals and special events. They come to the |
| 8. Is fun. | | | | business with different backgrounds, perspectives, |
| Legitimate moneymaking opportunities that meet these | | | | levels of expertise, sets of goals, and personal |
| seemingly unreasonable criteria are rare. However, | | | | obstacles. In return, every concessionaire benefits |
| there is one that does- the food concession business. | | | | differently and has varying levels of success. The food |
| The business of making money with a food stand is | | | | concession business is not a get-rich-quick scheme, but |
| somewhat unconventional, and yet, is as American as | | | | rather a lifestyle. Not everyone is a good match to the |
| hot dogs on the fourth of July. If you've ever been to a | | | | unconventional lifestyle of a food concessionaire. But |
| fair or festival and seen the lines of hungry people | | | | many people are and wouldn't consider any other |
| waiting to buy food, common sense tells you operating | | | | business, even if the economy was thriving. |
| a food booth is a viable way to make money. On | | | | |