Concession gripes

[JPhoboken]

Yea yea I know. Eat before the game. This wasn't for me but my mom. So i igured she had the sausage samich last game so I'd get her chicken fingers and fries. It was a clustrmuck when I got there. Apparently it was a popular item or someone didn't expect anyone to show.This was 25 minutes before tip. There were like 15 people who paid and were waiting for the chicken to be cooked. They said 2 minutes. 5 minutes later a woman came out and said the fry machine wasn't working. They would replace with chips. I asked for my money back since I still had 10 people waiting ahead of me. So I went to the other side to get her a pizza. Why wasn't I surprised when I saw no pizzas were ready and they also had no hotdogs ready. I waited 10 minutes for my pizza and there were some waiting for hot dogs. The line for Annies Pretzels was 30 deep. Either people were hungry or there was a late start.Comments?

I get you didn't have a choice. But I can tell you this, I have been coming to games at the RAC since I was a student and it opened it 1978?

I have never eaten a meal there except for special events in the back room. I have had an occasional soda and popcorn, but would never subject myself to eating there because of the problems you talk about. If it isn't one thing its another with concessions. Its never easy. Henry's is great for pre-game meals, but get there early also, because service is not fast on game days with a full house.

 

[Dr. Potato]

The food should be free with the catastrophe on the court.

 

[RobertG]

I get you didn't have a choice. But I can tell you this, I have been coming to games at the RAC since I was a student and it opened it 1978?

I have never eaten a meal there except for special events in the back room. I have had an occasional soda and popcorn, but would never subject myself to eating there because of the problems you talk about. If it isn't one thing its another with concessions. Its never easy. Henry's is great for pre-game meals, but get there early also, because service is not fast on game days with a full house.

I hope somebody in the ADs office reads this post. Large loss of potential revenue because of the poor concessions.

 

[RUPete]

I hope somebody in the ADs office reads this post. Large loss of potential revenue because of the poor concessions.

You also turn off any casual fans who go there because they are looking for something to do. Look at how concessions are handled at the Somerset Patriots games.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

I hope somebody in the ADs office reads this post. Large loss of potential revenue because of the poor concessions.

not really...1 side of the equation is pretty small.

 

[JPhoboken]

I hope somebody in the ADs office reads this post. Large loss of potential revenue because of the poor concessions.

Concession issues at the RAC are not new. The Athletic dept. has heard the complaints for years. It boggles my mind how they can not figure out a way to serve better food faster to fans and students (who get their food on the meal plan) Yes, they lose lots of money I am sure.

Ball is in their court, always has been.

 

[bac2therac]

my brother just sent me about a dozen text bitching about how unprepared and cluster**** the dollar dog promotion was with hot dogs not ready and being cold..and there were only like 500 in the building

 

[Knightmoves]

my brother just sent me about a dozen text bitching about how unprepared and cluster**** the dollar dog promotion was with hot dogs not ready and being cold..and there were only like 500 in the building

Nothing worse than pissing off fans of $ 1 hot dogs who expect a fine dining experience at the RAC.

How is this not front and center on Pat Hobbs desk ? Truly outrageous behavior on the part of RU Athletics !

 

[bac2therac]

Hobbs is one of the 700 people at the game tonight

 

[Local Shill]

Lines are outrageously long as usual. Can't be more than 2000 and that's being generous.

 

[WJLeggett]

Only one of the 2 lobby stands are open. The one in the hall by us is open on the bench side. Don't know about the other side.

 

[ScarletDave]

I got there early by about half an hour, and they had 3 hot dogs out under the heat lamp. One of the kids asked the lady there if that was good, and she said "Put a few more, have about seven". I was like, you realize there will be 6,000 people here today.

 

[rulaw87]

My wife went to get a hot dog with 12 minutes left to go in the first half and they were out of buns.

 

[bac2therac]

how embarrassing to hear this...there are less than 1K in that building yet the concesssions appear to be in disarray

 

[Scarletwoman]

I am sorry they have to get rid of these clubs and bring in professionals. This is disgusting. The games are at 7pm and most of us are coming in from work, with no time to stop and eat beforehand. Last game I bought the fingers and fries and had to throw them away. They were so dried, you couldn't eat them. Forget the popcorn, it tastes like cardboard. I like the way the old popcorn machine that it made fresh. I will be bringing my own food in and if anyone gives me grieve they will pay for it.

 

[itsRtime]

I was here 10 mins before game time trying to get hot dogs and they had to go God knows where to get more buns. After waiting 10 mins they showed up with 2 packages lol. Embarrassing with maybe 1k fans in the building, who is in charge of planning this BS?

 

[Turtle31]

We can only hope that when the facilities get upgraded, they ditch the Mickey Mouse approach to concessions.

 

[RocktheRac]

I was going to start a Part II thread but we'll just continue this.

I went to get my mother her 2 hotdogs. Time was about 6:30. There were people waiting in the front lobby because the hotdogs weren't ready. A guy who works for RU came over and said take them off the grill we gotta get these out. Got the 2 but I knew they werent hot which my mother complained about.

Ten minutes before tip I got my 3. Well sort of. I got one and then was told that they are out of buns. WTF? You have a promotion night. Only one stand in the lobby is open and you run out of buns? After 5 minutes someone brings over 2 packages of buns and a tray of cooked hotdogs. Guess they weren't selling at the side stands. I got my dogs and asked for a tray. The kid said they ran out don't have anymore. OK run out of buns. Run out of trays. Lets run a promotion and make sure we aren't ready.

Yea, its only concessions but it's the little things that are adding up. This, the poor lighting leaving the RAC, the broken down macadam walks, no shoveling and salting the lots last year, the chicken finger snafu last Sunday. All these things add up to the experience at the game.

 

[RUPete]

I just don't get how they are not ready and are running out of stuff when there are less than 1,000 in the building. I agree with those who say the community group stands have to go. Give them one thing they can sell on the side, but they can't run a main stand. Does anyone else operate like this?

 

[jersey07080]

The RAC is 80's Aramark meadowlands concessions bad. Honestly better snack concessions prices employees at most little league ball fields in central jersey.

 

[bac2therac]

I was going to start a Part II thread but we'll just continue this.

I went to get my mother her 2 hotdogs. Time was about 6:30. There were people waiting in the front lobby because the hotdogs weren't ready. A guy who works for RU came over and said take them off the grill we gotta get these out. Got the 2 but I knew they werent hot which my mother complained about.

Ten minutes before tip I got my 3. Well sort of. I got one and then was told that they are out of buns. WTF? You have a promotion night. Only one stand in the lobby is open and you run out of buns? After 5 minutes someone brings over 2 packages of buns and a tray of cooked hotdogs. Guess they weren't selling at the side stands. I got my dogs and asked for a tray. The kid said they ran out don't have anymore. OK run out of buns. Run out of trays. Lets run a promotion and make sure we aren't ready.

Yea, its only concessions but it's the little things that are adding up. This, the poor lighting leaving the RAC, the broken down macadam walks, no shoveling and salting the lots last year, the chicken finger snafu last Sunday. All these things add up to the experience at the game.

And yet you didnt learn your lesson from Sunday...so now Mom will be eating RAC concessions every home game...that wasnt the case prior seasons...plan ahead

 

[Mr_Twister]

When the hotdogs are $5 is the service better? With tonight's hot dog embarrassment, to make amends, I bet AD Hobbs and his staff will personally serve free hot dogs, with apologies and promises of improved concessions at future games, before the UMass-Lowell game. It's the only way to show that the problem has their attention.

 

[OntheBanks]

At the Monmouth game with 1:30 left before halftime I went down to Annie's to pick up 2 pretzels. There was no one there waiting in line. I ordered the 2 pretzels and they gave me the last two that were already prepared. By the time I paid for them there were 25 people in line and not one pretzel was made for them to sell. You cannot have a concession like Annie's at the RAC. You need already prepared fast food.

 

[S.W.A.I.N]

I just don't get how they are not ready and are running out of stuff when there are less than 1,000 in the building. I agree with those who say the community group stands have to go. Give them one thing they can sell on the side, but they can't run a main stand. Does anyone else operate like this?

Most colleges utilize 90% Non profit group labor. This is standard. You think pricing is harsh, get a union in there and see what happens. And the worker quality won't be much better either.

 

[RUPete]

Most colleges utilize 90% Non profit group labor. This is standard. You think pricing is harsh, get a union in there and see what happens. And the worker quality won't be much better either.

So you're telling me the Patriots service is worse? Not buying it and not buying the 90 percent figure. 90 percent of all P5 schools? Everyone knows you are going to overpay for concessions. At the Rac, you overpay for crappy service and food.

 

[Knightmoves]

And yet you didnt learn your lesson from Sunday...so now Mom will be eating RAC concessions every home game...that wasnt the case prior seasons...plan ahead

I'm starting to be convinced that if Mom stops complaining about the RAC concessions then service may just improve in the future.

Or maybe it will get worse.

 

[Upstream]

The one in the hall by us is open on the bench side.

What is it with the concession stand on the bench side. Whenever I walk by it, it smells like something rancid.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

I don't think it gets better until we start legitimately get 5-6K in the building on average. At that point there are options to outsource.

Football food is passable right? I know Sodexho does the Audi Club and the food is OK.

 

[Trekology]

I don't think it gets better until we start legitimately get 5-6K in the building on average. At that point there are options to outsource.

Football food is passable right? I know Sodexho does the Audi Club and the food is OK.

I'm pretty sure Sodexho does all the food. In the previous years, it was Sodexho staff doing the selling at the stands and the service wasn't much better. You're just not going to get professional level service out of a staff that you hire for 40 days a year.

 

[RocktheRac]

I'm starting to be convinced that if Mom stops complaining about the RAC concessions then service may just improve in the future.

Or maybe it will get worse.

Never stops.... Day before Christmas too.

 

[RUJMM78]

how embarrassing to hear this...there are less than 1K in that building yet the concesssions appear to be in disarray

I'm sorry I missed all the excitement regarding the hot dog sale.Once again it gets back to the lack of attention to detail.

 

[rulaw87]

They used most of the hot dogs in the "Minute of Madness" where they have people beg for tee shirts and hot dogs. One of the hot dogs came apart when thrown into the student section. The wrapping came off so the hot dog went one way and the bun went the other. Fortunately there were only about a dozen people there beside the band, so no one got hurt!

 

[bac2therac]

so who is responsible for this...who is the guy in charge of this..is it the game day event guy or is it some associate AD.

 

[OntheBanks]

A few times I've stopped at Stop & Shop and picked up half sub combos with chips & 20 oz soda for $4.99 or $5.99. I had no problem bringing them into the RAC. Most of the time we go to Henry's Diner across from the RAC 2 hrs before tip-off for dinner. They have good food and service there and the students could use the tip money.

 

[PeteGiam07]

Football games have volunteers working the stands. I'm assuming these are paid employees? The volunteers are doing a pretty good job considering the amount of people at football games...

Haven't been to a basketball game in years, but I think i'd stop in Henry's Diner, Quadoba or one of the other places before a game if I was hungry. Are those places open before most games?

 

[bac2therac]

whether or not people should get food beforehand isn't the issue...it seems like they ran a promotion last night and it was a disaster despite there being less than 1k in the building...what are the issues that are causing these problems of customer service and for a school whose attendance is a national embarrassment, they should be doing EVERYTHING in the power to try to keep those still going interested

 

[RocktheRac]

whether or not people should get food beforehand isn't the issue...it seems like they ran a promotion last night and it was a disaster despite there being less than 1k in the building...what are the issues that are causing these problems of customer service and for a school whose attendance is a national embarrassment, they should be doing EVERYTHING in the power to try to keep those still going interested

How many fans and students were at the MIchigan game last night.

 

[RUonBrain]

my brother just sent me about a dozen text bitching about how unprepared and cluster**** the dollar dog promotion was with hot dogs not ready and being cold..and there were only like 500 in the building

BAC - sounds like your 1st item of business on fan advisory board...

 

[bac2therac]

How many fans and students were at the MIchigan game last night.

looked pretty good sized crowd...some empties but a lot of students..and they have break to and remember they were sub 500 last year I think

 

[S.W.A.I.N]

So you're telling me the Patriots service is worse? Not buying it and not buying the 90 percent figure. 90 percent of all P5 schools? Everyone knows you are going to overpay for concessions. At the Rac, you overpay for crappy service and food.

The Somerset Patriots have concessions run by Centerplate, which uses a mix of seasonal union labor and non profit groups. They have had that account for 20 years and have a GM (Mike McDermott) who really knows his stuff. Sodexo has been here for under 4. And you can dispute the 90% figure if you'd like, I happen to have run some of the largest concession operations in the entire country, so I think I know what is accurate. (To Sodexo's credit they did offer me a job, but they are cheeeeaaappp). I try to refain from posting on these issues, and yes the concessions could be run better, but your assertion that the problem is the labor force is wrong. It is the on site manager and probably some very restrictive budgetary guidelines. I have visited and consulted at dozens of concessions operations, including Indiana, BYU, UNLV, Cal, Stanford, multiple NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL venues, as well as minor league baseball (I ran Staten Island Yankees after I was at Yankee Stadium). I can assure you my information is accurate. If you want leverage, bitch to your season ticket rep and to Hobbs.