Pictured is Zack’s Beach Concessions and Catering (714-536-0215) with beach locations in Orange and Los Angeles Counties.

How’s the weather out there at the beach? Is it sunny & nice OR cold & damp? Ask a concessionaire and you’ll get the scoop. What time does the beach close? Can I get surf lessons? Where can I buy cheese strips? If he (or she) isn’t busy with a line of tourists going out the door to rent bikes, blades, boards and umbrellas, the concessionaire nearly always has answers to your questions. Best of all, the answers are usually right! And it’s not just a sure bet at beaches in California — the same is true at mountain ski resorts, wine country destinations and desert tours. Why? Concessionaires work at “ground zero” of attractions. They field questions, sell souvenir merchandise and feed the masses who are hungry, thirsty and need a bathroom.

WHY A CONCESSIONAIRE?

• They’re out there in the elements where you want to go. They often know the answers to your questions.
• They know the trends–what people want and what sells.
• They can save you money. Resort hotels typically charge double or quadruple the price for the same beach or ski party gatherings and corporate events. While the food quality and offerings may vary, just shop around is all we’re saying.
• They can make things happen. At some venues such as beaches and ski resorts you can’t just show up and have a small, casual wedding, for instance, or a company picnic with volleyball nets for games, a permit to take up space, etc. Concessionaires have heard and seen it all before and they can assist in making your event a success (for a fee, naturally.)