Amusement park food and beverages sales are often an overlooked, under-appreciated opportunity. Yet, there's much more than cotton candy and corn dogs involved, according to a report by Packaged Facts, a division of MarketResearch.com. Sales of amusement park eats have increased steadily in the last four years, bringing figures that have surpassed pre-recession levels.
- Entertainment district growth, national restaurant branding, the need for healthier fare and evolving promotional activities are all shaping amusement park foodservice strategies
- To stress the size of the amusement park food industry, the projected foodservice revenue for U.S. amusement parks should reach $2.9 billion in 2012. As the recession has resulted in less overall attendance in amusement parks, a shift towards smaller parks and regional parks has transferred sales evenly amongst the wide variety of parks, boosting foodservice sales in smaller, less popular parks
- Distance from residence to amusement park helps inform the foodservice paradigm, which differs significantly depending on a park’s ability to attract a local, regional or destination draw
- Amusement parks should orient service toward feedings of small groups, as 40% of visitors come in groups of four
- Matching an amusement park’s unique attributes to guests’ foodservice habits and preference is essential
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a Restaurant Business member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.