I never really gave much thought to where the NFL teams get their nachos, sodas, and peanuts for their concessions stands. Sure, I always assumed it was provided by the concessionaire, just like at minor league ballparks. But, to my surprise, I recently learned that a number of NFL teams actually have their own concessions departments! They don’t outsource a single potato chip, let alone their entire concessions operation, to a separate catering company.
“So, what do these teams do to staff their concessions stands?” I asked. Well, for the most part, they rely on their own stadium personnel. Whether they’re full-time employees or part-time workers, these people are dedicated to making sure that every fan who comes to a game is fed and watered in the most efficient way possible. They know how to work the stands like a pro, and they make sure that everything from nacho sauce to soda pop stays stocked and ready to go.
But that’s not all. These people also make sure that the concession stands are as sanitary as possible. After all, a dirty concession stand isn’t going to make anyone want to buy hot dogs and peanuts! So, you can rest assured that the person in charge of the stadium’s concession stands knows what they’re doing, and that all of the food you’re consuming is safe and healthy.
Another thing that I found out was that some teams also offer unique concessions that you won’t find anywhere else. For example, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a cafe where you can buy hot sandwiches and pastries, as well as cold drinks. Meanwhile, the Dallas Cowboys offer a variety of gourmet burgers, in addition to the usual array of snacks.
Now, you might be wondering: “If the teams are doing all of this on their own, why not the same for other sports?” Well, it turns out that it’s just not practical for teams in other sports to do the same. Baseball teams, for instance, have to play so many more games each year than the NFL teams, which means they need the help of a professional catering company to stay well-stocked through the long baseball season.
But that doesn’t mean the teams don’t take the same care when it comes to their concession stands. In between games, teams in all sports, from the NFL to the MLB, continue to use their own staff to make sure that everything is clean and running smoothly. It’s just that the NFL has the advantage of having fewer games and, thus, needing fewer outsourced concessions.
Still, I think it’s impressive that so many NFL teams are doing their own concessions. It certainly speaks to their dedication to providing the best possible experience to their fans. Plus, it gives the teams more control over the food being served, which can only lead to better quality food. So, yeah, I’ve definitely got to hand it to the NFL on this one!