Cheaper concessions a hit with fans: Ken King please read

[stone hands]

If I didn't get free food when I switched my season tickets to the press level, I wouldn't have consumed any saddledome concessions for the last 4 years

I feel bad for people who actually have to pay for that junk

[Flash Walken]

Do people not go out for dinner before games anymore?

I feel like this was commonplace in the 90s when I was regularly attending games.

[shermanator]

I prefer to give my money to local businesses around the Saddledome rather than eat the garbage they pass off as food at the Saddledome.

The Drum and Monkey used to be my go to, but now I either go to Thai Tai and/or St. James Corner before games. If I go to St. James Corner, I end up spending more money in the end, but am glad to do so because of the quality that you are getting for the price.

[Tron_fdc]

I wish the people running stadiums would realize that going to a sporting event doesn't give you some sort of carte blanche to charge outrageous prices for junk. It's almost like eating on an airline ffs.


Makes me wonder what kind of volume a fully staffed Mcdonalds on a condensed, CHEAP menu would do at a game. They would probably run out of cheeseburgers! As it sits the dome gets exactly zero of my money for food; I buy the odd beer, but no chance I'm doing my old "2 per period"from 2003. It's also not that I can't afford it. I just don't like getting so obviously and blatantly ripped off.

Man, I feel really old and complainy right now.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

Make no mistake, the rules of supply and demand do no exist inside the arena as there is a monopoly on crummy food/beverage set by Ken King and his team of loyal henchmen. They set the market every season and will not hesitate to squeeze an extra dime out of an old lady's purse at the nearest opportunity in order to pad Murray Edwards offshore investment accounts.

Sure it does, as consumers can choose to not eat or not drink if they feel they aren't getting acceptable value for their food. Or eat elsewhere, before or after a game.

It's not like everyone has to eat regardless of the price. Many are choosing not to. If enough people were making that choice, prices would come down, for the simple reason that the owners will always want to maximize profits.

As you said, there is a limited supply and lots of demand. That ensures a very high product price. A monopoly is the very definition of a limited supply LOL.

[zamler]

Originally Posted by Wild GM

Does anyone else keep, upon initial glance, thinking that this thread is about concussions and hits?

Yes. No matter how many times I read it.

[stone hands]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Do people not go out for dinner before games anymore?

I feel like this was commonplace in the 90s when I was regularly attending games.

When I had seats in the 2nd level we would either make dinner really quick when we got home or throw pulled pork or something together the previous day

Eating out for 2 40+ nights a year gets pretty expensive :/

[Jojado]

Originally Posted by Wild GM

Does anyone else keep, upon initial glance, thinking that this thread is about concussions and hits?

Cheap-shot concussions a hit with fans: Ken King please read

[Nage Waza]

I have only had nachos and beer in the dome for like 28 years.

[nik-]

Bring back Beer Nuts!

[Philly06Cup]

1) Eat before the game. If you plan ahead, you can save.

2) If you need a beer with the game, you pay a premium. It's like complaining about popcorn / pop prices at a movie. Everyone knows they are overpriced. Supply/demand.

3) If you must eat, try the Chicken & Ribs Rotisserie up the stairs on the North Mezz. Best food option on the main concourse. Full rack of ribs and unlimited* sides for ~$15. Or, half chicken. or, quarter chicken and half ribs. Great value, and you get real food.

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by The Cobra

Sure it does, as consumers can choose to not eat or not drink if they feel they aren't getting acceptable value for their food. Or eat elsewhere, before or after a game.

It's not like everyone has to eat regardless of the price. Many are choosing not to. If enough people were making that choice, prices would come down, for the simple reason that the owners will always want to maximize profits.

As you said, there is a limited supply and lots of demand. That ensures a very high product price. A monopoly is the very definition of a limited supply LOL.

I think you are severely confused. Who said anything about a limited supply lol? Pass the dutchie to the left hand side bro.

Trust me, people have been abstaining from purchasing food/drink at the dome for years and all it has done is result in higher prices year over year. Your tragically flawed logic doesn't add up in the real world. If it were a fair, supply and demand market, you would have numerous vendors like Wendy's Tim hortons, Starbucks, Pizza Hut, Wok Box etc all competing against each other price wise.

The way the dome and most pro venues are now set up, the Flames literally dictate everything about the food and beverage market within the saddledome...it has zilch to do with supply and demand. Ken King has squeezed anyone and everyone out of the dome that could potentially create a competitive market.

[Matt Reeeeead]

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

I think you are severely confused. Who said anything about a limited supply lol? Pass the dutchie to the left hand side bro.

Trust me, people have been abstaining from purchasing food/drink at the dome for years and all it has done is result in higher prices year over year. Your tragically flawed logic doesn't add up in the real world. If it were a fair, supply and demand market, you would have numerous vendors like Wendy's Tim hortons, Starbucks, Pizza Hut, Wok Box etc all competing against each other price wise.

The way the dome and most pro venues are now set up, the Flames literally dictate everything about the food and beverage market within the saddledome...it has zilch to do with supply and demand. Ken King has squeezed anyone and everyone out of the dome that could potentially create a competitive market.

Nah, I think you don't get it.

Limited supply, as in one party has full control of the supply. If there were 3-4 parties like you said above, suddenly there is competition for the consumer dollar, and prices decrease.

True, some people choose not to spend dollars at the dome. But in a world where prices are decreased to happy hour prices, that would cut their margin at least in half. For every margin they lose on people currently consuming, they would need a non-buyer (or current buyers increasing consumption) to buy at least 2. There are naturally cheap and thrifty people in the world, and a good chance many of the current non-buyers would not materially change their behaviours regardless.

Ultimately, I haven't done many scientific studies on this. This article was one example. But I have been to 50 different sporting venues (and other entertainment venues), and they all work in a similar fashion (price wise) to the dome. I would like to think that the consumer behaviour has been reviewed and determined best practices to create profit.

Generally I find most people to be lazy and lack foresight, and at some point, upon attending an event, people are impulsive and have needs that have to be met. At that point, they pay what they need to satisfy their impulses. Based on that, charging the largest amount to maximize profit is the play and would still be in line with supply and demand.

Those suggesting the Flames have this practice wrong would find a lot of issue with 99% of businesses in the entertainment industry.

[Pontine]

It was nice to have McDonalds at the Staples centre when I was there in November. 20 chicken nuggets for $5 (from what I remember) and watching some hockey.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

I think you are severely confused. Who said anything about a limited supply lol? Pass the dutchie to the left hand side bro.

Trust me, people have been abstaining from purchasing food/drink at the dome for years and all it has done is result in higher prices year over year. Your tragically flawed logic doesn't add up in the real world. If it were a fair, supply and demand market, you would have numerous vendors like Wendy's Tim hortons, Starbucks, Pizza Hut, Wok Box etc all competing against each other price wise.

The way the dome and most pro venues are now set up, the Flames literally dictate everything about the food and beverage market within the saddledome...it has zilch to do with supply and demand. Ken King has squeezed anyone and everyone out of the dome that could potentially create a competitive market.

I don't think this is a Ken King phenomenon. Nor do I think it's some breach of market forces. This is how every sports venue, every theatre and every major concert hall set things up.

IIRC the Dome used to have some outside vendors like Wendy's. It didn't work out.

[krazycanuck]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

IIRC the Dome used to have some outside vendors like Wendy's. It didn't work out.

I believe pocket dawg is still an outside vendor. Wendy's, Tim Horton's, Little Caesar's and the shaved ice stands used to be. IIRC they were basically charged 45% of total sales as "rent" on top of a base amount per year. Only the Flames made any money on these deals hence they've all gone away other than Pocket Dawg. Not sure what the current situation is with Tim Horton's and the new kiosk.