Key Takeaways
- High Performance Cookers pull-behind concession food trailers are available for rent or to buy and come fully equipped with state-of-the-art cooking equipment.
- To cook at smaller state fairs without a trailer, you’ll need concession supplies like large boiling pots, burners, and propane tanks.
- To cook at large-scale state fairs without a trailer, you’ll need commercial cookers, crawfish cleaners, and a lift system.
- Consider adding fryers to your setup to expand your menu beyond seafood boils.
Running a booth at a state fair can be profitable, but you’ll need the right concession equipment for successful results. Speed and volume are the most critical factors that can make or break the experience for you, your team, and your customers.
In this guide, we’re going to help you plan an ideal setup for selling crawfish, shrimp, crab, and other seafood to a large crowd. We’ll also highlight key gear for expanding your menu with burgers, hot dogs, chili, fried finger foods, and other classic state fair fare.
Let’s get started!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are concession trailers profitable?
Yes, concession food trailers can be extremely profitable, but success isn’t guaranteed.
To improve your ROI, use efficient, state-of-the-art concession equipment to cook in large quantities at a rapid pace. Keep overhead costs down by buying ingredients in bulk, securing a high-traffic location, and crafting a menu that appeals to the event’s demographic.
What equipment is needed for a concession stand?
An all-in-one food trailer eliminates the guesswork, but if you’d prefer to purchase concession supplies individually, start by considering the size of the state fair.
Small-Scale Fairs:
- Large boiling pots
- Propane burners
- Propane tanks
- Ice chests (or other cold storage)
- Grills (optional)
- Fryers (optional)
Large-Scale Fairs:
- Commercial cooker(s)
- Crawfish cleaner
- Crawfish sorting table
- Gantry lift system
Concession Equipment Buying Guide
You may not need everything on this list. For example, commercial equipment may not be necessary for smaller events.
Feel free to get in touch if you need a personalized recommendation for your setup.
1. Concession Food Trailers
We strongly recommend taking this route. Renting or buying a pull-behind trailer equipped with top-of-the-line HPC cooking equipment lets you focus on cooking great food. It’s an easy, efficient, and cost-effective option.
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2. Boiling Pots and/or Commercial Cookers
If you’d rather purchase concession equipment individually, you’re going to need either multiple large boiling pots or a commercial cooker or two, depending on how many customers you’re expecting.
As you pick out concession supplies, what you’re serving will play a major role in your decision. Large stock pots are extremely versatile. You can use them for crawfish, crab, shrimp, lobster, and other seafood, as well as chili, fried fish, wings, and other fare.
Running multiple burners and stock pots may not be the best choice for busy fairs. If you’re feeding hundreds or even thousands of people, we highly recommend commercial-grade concession equipment.
Check our Cooker Selection Chart to determine which size cookers make the most sense for your event.
When in doubt, size up! Even if you don’t need larger cookers now, they’re nice to have as your business grows.
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3. Propane Burner and Extra Tanks
If you’re not using one of our fully equipped concession food trailers or commercial cookers, you’re going to need multiple high-powered heat sources to heat your stock pots.
Be sure to bring along more propane tanks than you think you’ll need. You don’t want to be stuck without heat if a tank fails on you.
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4. Boil Boss Accessories
The best concession equipment lets you work fast without compromising the quality of your food. Boil Boss accessories like the pot cooling ring and temperature-sensing stirring paddle significantly improve your workflow, which naturally boosts your bottom line.
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5. Cold Storage
As you shop for concession supplies, don’t forget about the cold side of food prep. You need a place to store your ingredients safely. Lugging along a refrigerator is rarely practical, so we recommend using a few of our large commercial-grade ice chests.
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6. Crawfish Cleaner and Sorting Table
While a crawfish washer isn’t technically mandatory concession equipment, it’ll save you and your crew a whole lot of work! We also recommend using a purpose-designed sorting table for crawfish and other seafood.
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7. Gantry Lift System
Working with massive quantities of food can be difficult and even impossible without the right equipment. A gantry hoist system can prevent injuries and help your team work more efficiently.
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Shop the Industry’s Best Concession Equipment
Whether you’re looking to customize a fleet of branded concession food trailers or just picking up a few last-minute concession supplies, you’re in the right place. High Performance Cookers are equipped with Tunnel Tube Technology for unmatched speed and efficiency. Shop now!
