Ah, the concession stand. A glorious land of nachos, Gatorade, and the sweet smell of fundraising success. But none of it runs without one key ingredient: volunteers.

If you’ve ever tried to fill a concession stand schedule, you know the struggle. People are busy. Emails go unread. And somehow, every parent’s calendar fills up the minute you mention “volunteering.”

But don’t worry—we’ve got you. Here are 7 real-life, tried-and-true tips to help get more parents, students, and friendly faces behind that counter (with fewer headaches for you).

If signing up feels like a scavenger hunt, no one’s going to do it.

Use online sign-up tools like SignUpGenius, Google Forms, or VolunteerSpot to create clear schedules. People can choose a time slot that works for them—without 27 back-and-forth emails.

Pro tip: Post the sign-up link everywhere:

The easier it is to say “yes,” the more likely people will.

Instead of hoping someone steps up, give the responsibility to a group.

Have each sports team, grade level, or school club “own” a night or weekend at the stand. It creates accountability, pride—and even a little friendly competition.

Example: “This Friday is Freshman Night at the stand—let’s show the upperclassmen how it’s done!”

Also, remind folks why it matters:

“The concession stand is one of the biggest fundraisers for our school. Every hot dog sold helps pay for uniforms, equipment, and team needs.”

Need high school students to help?

Let them know it counts for service hours for:

It’s a win-win: you get more hands, and they get credit plus a resume booster. Don’t forget to sign off on those hour sheets or log forms!

Sometimes the best way to get volunteers is… to ask them.

It doesn’t have to be a big pitch. A quick, “Hey, want to do the 6–7 shift with me next Friday?” goes a long way.

Yes, volunteering takes time. But it also has some pretty great perks—make sure people know that!

You might be surprised how many folks just need a little reminder that volunteering isn’t a chore—it’s actually kind of fun.

Let’s be real—parents are more likely to say “yes” when they don’t have to find a sitter. So make it easy to bring the kids along (if your school allows it).

It’s a great way to teach kids the value of service and spend quality time together.

Volunteering shouldn’t feel like a mystery or a punishment.

A little appreciation goes a long way in turning one-time helpers into repeat volunteers.

Concession stands are more than snack stations. They’re where the school spirit lives, memories are made, and dollars are raised. But none of it happens without people willing to roll up their sleeves.

Make it easy. Make it fun. And make sure every volunteer knows they’re part of something bigger—because they are.

Need to make your stand easier to run once you do get volunteers? Consider BlazeBite. Our mobile ordering platform keeps lines short, orders organized, and volunteers smiling. Learn more at blazebite.com.