The 5 Must-Have Stainless Steel Items for Arena Concession Stands
The landscape of stadium/arena dining has changed significantly over the past decade. Advanced technology, expanded dining options plus the upgraded decor all combine to give fans the ultimate experience. It’s not just about the game anymore, arenas have become a destination.
With many arena concession stands reaching a luxurious level, your equipment has to keep up. Stainless steel is the perfect for these concessions thanks to their attractive & upscale appearance. But, what are the absolute essentials to consider for your concessions? We’re here to clue you in.
In this article, we’ll detail out 5 of the most important stainless steel items for your arena concession stands. We’ll then offer up some IMC items to aid you in your journey. Let the games begin.
1. Worktables – Mandatory for Prep Tasks
Concession stands mainly deal with food so you’ll need a designated area to prep these items. Worktables are the most sensible way of doing this & you’ll need multiples of them. Without them, you wouldn’t be able to perform simple tasks such as preparing dishes or ingredients.
IMC manufactures a wide variety of worktables – even some which include backsplashes & undershelves. For concession stands, we recommend a fully customized worktable with table shelves & sink bowls. Be mindful of the allocated space you have & design your worktable to make the most out of it. Here are a few custom worktables that IMC manufactured for UBS Arena, home of the New York Islanders:
2. Base Cabinets – Storage is a Game Changer
Concession stands are basically mini-eateries with a ton of ingredients, tools, utensils & serving items in play at any given moment. This calls for a reliable storage solution – base cabinets certainly fit the bill. Base cabinets with a generous prep table top are even better. These cabinets can have a hinged door, sliding door or no door at all depending on your preference.
IMC manufactures Model #BC, our flagship base cabinet series. BC can be customized in a multitude of ways including extra drawers, backsplash, sink bowls, extra shelves & the list goes on. Here are a few pictures of concession stand base cabinets manufactured for UBS arena once again:
3. Wall Shelves – Vertical Storage is a Plus
Floor space is at a premium in concession stands, so vertical storage space using the existing walls is a smart move. Most wall shelves are located directly above prep tables for easy grabbing of ingredients or temporary storage. Most wall shelves also match the length of the worktable for consistency. Solid shelving is the most popular choice as well.
IMC manufactures Model #WMS with sizes ranging from 10″-24″ width & 24″-144″ length. Stainless steel mounting brackets are included so securing to your wall is a breeze. Here are a few IMC wall shelves installed at UBS Arena:
4. Compartment Sinks – Wares Need Washing Too
Things can get messy in concession stands – quickly. You’ll need a way to clean & disinfect utensils & wares efficiently. Compartment sinks fill that role splendidly.
Compartment sinks comes in a variety of styles – some have 1-4 sink bowls & some are custom shaped. Try to select a compartment sink that will make sense for the size & nature of your concession stand. 1 compartment sinks can also act as a hand sink substitute in a pinch.
IMC compartment sinks (Model #SCS) are some of the most versatile products in our catalog. All IMC compartment sinks are made from 14 or 16 gauge type 300 series stainless steel & includes a rolled edge & backsplash for keeping liquids off your walls & floor. Here are some field pics:
5. Hand Sinks – For Maintaining Hygiene
Hand sinks relay the message that you are safe, responsible & care about other’s health. Having a few hand sinks placed in your concession stand for employee use gives you a way for staff to quickly wash their hands before handling food items. A bonus would be a towel dispenser placed nearby so your staff can dry their hands & get back to work in a flash. If space is extremely limited, you can integrate a hand sink into a worktable as mentioned above.
An assortment of IMC hand sinks exist – from free standing to wall mounted. For concession stands, we recommend a free standing hand sinks with a foot pedal valve or wall mounted hand sinks for individual use. Let’s take a look at some IMC installed hand sinks:
Stadium/arena concession stands might seem simple, but they require a variety of equipment to keep operating efficiently. The above stainless steel items are just some of the vital pieces needed. To learn more about how IMC can cater to your stainless steel needs, click here.