How to Become a Beer Vendor

My inbox is full of emails with the same question, "How do I become a beer vendor?" specifically a Wrigley Beer Vendor. The short answer to becoming a Wrigley Beer Vendor is this. Call the Local 1 union at this number, (312)-240-1600, tell them you are interested in becoming a Wrigley vendor and ask when the next orientation session will be. Orientation sessions begin in Feb and go through March. At the orientation session you'll pick up your uniform, get your union card, as well as fill out tax forms and boom you're working at Wrigley Field! Good luck!

To become a vendor in Chicago you have to be a part of the union but in other regions, this is not a requirement. Your employer will always be a food service company so the best route to becoming a vendor is contacting the food service company that your team/stadium uses. There are some major players in the vending game. Here is a list of a few companies and the stadiums and teams that use them. This is off the top of my had and nowhere near a comprehensive list.

Aramark - A's Spring Training in Scottsdale, New York Mets

Center Plate - Golden State Warriors, San Francisco Giants, Peoria Arizona Complex (Mariners/Padres Spring Trainig), Minnesota Twins

Levy Restaurants - Wrigley Field

Legends Hospitality - New York Yankees, Dalls Cowboys, PNC Field (Pittsburgh)

RocketMan Vendors - This is by far the easiest company to become a beer vendor. They do various events like the Kentucky Derby, sometimes the Super Bowl, Nascar Events in Chicago and Vegas, Indianapolis Colts games, and Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Signup is online and you will have to take an online alcohol training course.

http://www.walkingvendor.com/signup1.htm

If there are other locations and companies that anyone is aware of feel free to mention it in the comments section.

Beer Tossing Incident

So early this month a fan threw beer from the outfield bleachers onto Shane Victorino. After the incident I received an email from CBS Chicago news asking which beer vendor sold the fan who threw the beer. Not that I was expecting CBS Chicago to know this but vendors aren't allowed to vend in the aisles of the bleachers. Only recently were they even able to have presence on the concourse level in the Bleachers, Bud Lite Bleachers that is! Beer vendors out in the bleachers are more or less a stand, they can't go up and down the aisles. So the most likely culprit was a concession stand. Oh you concession folk always getting in trouble :P

The fan sure has accuracy.

Beers sold at Wrigley

Forgot to mention this in my last post.  Kind of goes hand in hand with beer prices; types of beers sold.  Vendors at Wrigley sell 2 kinds of beer, Old Style and Budweiser.  Of those two Old Style has a refreshing lite version and Budweiser has Bud Lite but they’ve introduced a Budweiser Select in the vending repertoire, ooh la la.  There are some stands inside the Stadium that sell some imports like Corona, Heineken, and Amstel.  Goose Island, a Chicago local brew, is served in the stands as well.   

In terms of the better beer to sell for vendors, the obvious winner unfortunately is Budweiser. Damn you St. Louis and your marketing!!!  All the veterans sell this and if you're a noob and somehow sell Bud it's like flying first class.  You do it once, you'll never want to go back.  It's like coming to America,  all the stories they tell you are true!  Hot women buying from you, money, power??, Bud vendors have it all.

U.S. Cell and Soldier Field sell Miller Products.  I wish we weren't being double teamed by Millwaukee and St. Louis beers :(  Why can't Chicago be reprazentin!

Beer Prices at Wrigley Field

Beer Prices at Wrigley Field... When I started vending way back in 2004 prices were 5.25! Can you believe that? Ah the good old days. All kidding aside, prices have increased a quarter every year. In 2005 they were $5.50, 2006@$5.75, 2007@$6.00, 2008@$6.25 and now in 2009 beer is $6.50. I know my fellow brethren won't like this but beers are a quarter cheaper in the concession stands but why would you want to walk and wait in line when you can be served upon :) It's all about the opportunity cost.

Welcome!

Hello and welcome to the beer vendors blog! I will be posting as frequently as I can about the exciting world of Beer Vending! You should expect well written pieces on common vending practice, how to become a vendor, annoying vendors, and more! Soon I will be really high tech and have a twitter page!