Concessions

Sales Brokers specializing in Concessions formats in the U.S. play a vital role in helping brands gain placement in high-traffic entertainment, recreational, and institutional venues. These brokers work at local, regional, and national levels, ensuring that food and beverage brands align with venue-specific needs, procurement processes, and consumer expectations. Many brokers extend their expertise beyond concessions to related food service formats, including quick-service restaurants, cafeterias, and institutional dining, helping brands tap into broader distribution opportunities. Platforms like RetailFormats.com assist brands in understanding the nuances of concessionaire distribution, ensuring optimal pricing, packaging, and supply chain logistics for placement in theaters, stadiums, amusement parks, and other non-traditional food retail environments.
Concessions Brokers work with leading food service providers and distributors, facilitating brand placement through Sodexo, Aramark, and Compass Group, which manage food service operations in arenas, stadiums, airports, and convention centers. In addition, brokers help brands secure distribution through Sysco, Performance Food Group (PFG), and US Foods, which supply concessions, institutional foodservice, and catering operations nationwide. These brokers ensure product placement in a variety of concession sub-formats, including movie theaters, stadiums and arenas, bowling alleys, zoos, aquariums, tourist attractions, race-tracks, golf courses, community theaters, ski resorts, outdoor festivals, national parks, summer camps, state fairs, airports, airlines, schools, colleges, theme parks, water parks, concert halls, skating rinks, and convention centers. Their expertise enables brands to navigate the complexities of concessions distribution, ensuring their products are placed in high-demand, impulse-driven environments where consumers are looking for convenient and exciting food options.
The Importance of Sales Brokers in Concessions Formats
Sales Brokers are essential for brands looking to succeed in concessions and food service markets, as these sectors have unique distribution requirements, limited shelf space, and high turnover rates. Unlike traditional retail, concessions require flexible inventory strategies, rapid replenishment, and strong relationships with operators to ensure consistent sales. Brokers help brands secure contracts with major concessionaires and distributors, optimize packaging for on-the-go consumption, and navigate pricing structures that align with high-volume sales. Their ability to connect brands with key buyers, manage category placement, and oversee promotional strategies makes them indispensable partners for brands seeking to establish a presence in entertainment, sports, and institutional concession environments.

Core Concessions Formats
Community Theatres
Movie Theatres
Concert Halls
Stadiums & Arenas
State Fairs
Renaissance Fairs
Tourist Attractions
Museums
Zoos and Aquariums
Golf Courses
Race-Tracks
Outdoor Festivals
National Parks
Summer Camps
Airports
Convention Centers
Bowling Alleys
Ski Resorts
 
 
The Main Trade Associations Relating to Concessions Related Formats Include:

National Association of Concessionaires (NAC)
180 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 2215, Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 236-3858
www.naconline.org
National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO) - CinemaCon
1705 N Street NW,
(202) 962-0054
www.cinemacon.com  

International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA)
4155 West Taft Vineland Road,
Orlando, FL 32837
(321) 319-7600
www.iaapa.org
National Independent Concessionaires Association (NICA)
1043 E. Brandon Blvd., Brandon, FL 33511
(813) 438-8926
www.nicainc.org

American Society of Theatre Consultants (ASTC)
3617 W. 73rd Street, Prairie Village, KS 66208
(913) 341-1900
www.theatreconsultants.org
National Independent Venue Association (NIVA)
1317 F Street NW, Suite 500,
Washington, DC 20004
www.nivassoc.org

Themed Entertainment Association (TEA)
150 E Olive Avenue, Suite 306,
Burbank, CA 91502
(818) 843-8497
www.teaconnect.org
International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE)
3043 East Cairo Street,
Springfield, MO 65802
(800) 516-0313
www.fairsandexpos.com