Mid-Level

Concession Manager

The venue food service leader — managing concession operations at entertainment and sports facilities.

Career Level
Junior
Mid
Senior
Director
VP
Executive
Work Personality
E
C
S
R
I
A
Enterprisingleading, persuading
Conventionalorganizing, detail-oriented
Based on Holland Code framework
Job markets for Concession Managers
Employment concentration · ~393 areas
Based on employment in related occupations
Mapped SOC categories:
BLS Occupational Employment Statistics
What it's like

What it's like to be a Concession Manager

As a Concession Manager, you run food and beverage concession operations at a venue — stadium, arena, theater, or entertainment facility. You manage staff, inventory, quality, and customer service for concession stands and carts.

Your day involves preparing for events, managing operations during events, and handling post-event reconciliation. Before events, you ensure inventory, staffing, and equipment are ready. During events, you oversee operations across multiple locations, solve problems, and ensure quality. After, you manage cash reconciliation and restocking.

The challenge is managing high-volume, peak-demand operations. Events create intense rushes where everything happens at once. Multiple stands need to run smoothly simultaneously. Staff turnover is often high. You need systems that work under pressure and the ability to troubleshoot in real-time.

IndependenceModerate
RelationshipsModerate
Working ConditionsModerate
SupportModerate
AchievementLower
RecognitionLower
O*NET Work Values survey
StrategyExecution
StructuredAdaptable
ManagingContributing
CollaborativeIndependent
Venue typeStand countStaff sizeMenu complexityEvent frequency
Concession management varies by venue. Stadium operations are massive and intense. Theater concessions are smaller but may run daily. Menu complexity varies from basic to extensive. Some venues are event-driven; others operate continuously.
✦ Editorial — written by Truest from industry research and career patterns
Career Paths

Where this role sits in the broader career landscape — and where it can take you.

$239K$179K$119K$60K$0KLower paying387 metro areas, sorted by salary level
All experience levels1
This level's estimated range
INDUSTRIES PAYING ABOVE AVERAGE
1 BLS OEWS May 2024 covers all Concession Managers (SOC 41-1011.00), not just this title · BEA RPP 2023
* Top salaries exceed this figure. BLS caps reported wages at ~$240K to protect individual privacy in high-earning roles.
Exploring the Concession Manager career path? Truest helps you figure out if it's the right fit — and plan your path forward.
Explore career tools
1
Operations management
Running multiple locations efficiently
2
Staff development
Building reliable teams
3
Financial management
Managing costs and revenue
What type of venue is this?
How many concession locations does this position manage?
What's the staffing size?
What's the event frequency?
What are the biggest operational challenges?
✦ Editorial — career progression and interview guidance based on industry patterns
The Broader Landscape

Roles like this one sit within a broader occupational category. The numbers below reflect that full landscape — helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.

$31K–$77K
Salary Range
10th – 90th percentile
1.1M
U.S. Employment
-5%
10yr Growth
125K
Annual Openings

How this category is changing

$64K$61K$58K$55K$52K201920202021202220232024$52K$64K
BLS OEWS May 2024 · BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034

Skills & Requirements

Active ListeningSpeakingService OrientationCoordinationCritical ThinkingMonitoringSocial PerceptivenessNegotiationManagement of Personnel ResourcesInstructing
O*NET OnLine · Bureau of Labor Statistics
41-1011.00

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Federal data: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (May 2024) · BLS Employment Projections · O*NET OnLine
Truest editorial: Fit check, role profile, things that vary, advancement analysis, lateral moves, interview questions.