Park food... do franchises help the park?

When I go up to Gurnee to visit Great America with my friends, we usually leave the park and walk over to McDonald's for lunch. Much cheaper and a nice break, too.

I'd much rather see a park bring in something like Skyline at PKI -- a locally popular chain -- or Johnny Rockets at CP -- which is fairly thematically appropriate, than to just bring in Taco Bell or McDonald's or whatever.

I had never heard of Skyline Chili until a couple years ago when I first moved to Ohio. I remember seeing a bilboard with this utterly repulsive picture of some concoction that I can't even describe without getting violently ill.

So what is it that is so special? It amazes me that people eat it. I guess it takes an Ohio native to know for sure :) I'll forever be out of the "skyline loop."

I know Celebration City had their own Nathan's Hot Dog franchise in their park. I think it was the only HFEC park to do so. For some reason this year they droped Nathan's and went with Boardwalk Dogs (Same logo as Boardwalk Fries). I am bit concerned that these new hot dogs wont be as good as Nathan's.

I Personaly thought Nathan's did CC well.

As for parks that had Mickey D's and Subways, I usally perfer to wat at them, becasue I don't trust Six Flags food to be any better. To me I find that the Prices at those restraunts are not too bad and certain cases the SF Mickey D's is cheaper than some stand alone stores. I have seen bad over pricing with certain restraunt franchises such as a stand alone Sonic selling A Hamburger Value Meal for 6.99 in Downtown Belton, MO.

millrace, have you ever *eaten* Skyline Chili? If you had, you'd know why it's so special. It doesn't taste anything like chili.

All it is, really, is a unique spicy meat sauce on spaghetti with cheese. And onions or beans if you like.

*** Edited 4/5/2005 8:49:04 PM UTC by Den***

Four more reasons to visit Knoebel's:

1) Cesari's Pizza

2) Barbecued Chicken at the Outdoor Cafeteria-- torches and all.

3) Chicken & Waffles at the Oasis

4) Humongous sundaes at the Old Mill or Soft Ice Cream at the stand behind the Alamo on the way out of the park at closing time.

5) And you gotta love those senior citizens who man the funnel cake booth... Five more reasons to visit Knoebels... and an almost fanatical devotion to roller coasters.

Skyline Chili is an acquired taste. The first time I tried it I wasn't too impressed. But I gave it another try and became addicted. I personally love the coney dogs, not a huge fan of the spaghetti (chilli mac at Stake n' Shake is better).

Den, I find it funny that you call the regular fast food gross while standing up for Skyline. Like I already said, I love Skyline, but I know gross food when I see it. And Skyline is nasty stuff, but tasty. Kind of like White Castles and Waffle House. Gee, I wonder why I'm overweight? ;)

Skyline Chili fan here. Lifelong Ohio resident here as well. I do agree that it is an acquired taste. I have friends who are native Ohioans that really hate it. Just depends I suppose.

But as far as franchises in parks I don't have a problem with them when those franchises are local niches that I either can't get at home or truly bring the local flavor in the parks. Sort of a local pride thing. But when it comes to the McDonald's, etc., why bother in my opinion.

Speaking of Nathan's... Oh I wish somebody would sell those close to me. Hmm!

No, I have never tried Skyline. Don't plan to. There are just some things I would rather not put in my mouth.

And I'm a vegetarian :)

But if it isn't really chili, why call it that? Because "Skyline Spicy Meat Sauce" is too cumbersome?

You can't go wrong with Knoebels food. Especially considering the wide variety and how inexpensive it is.

I'm not sure if Knoebels has such good food because of the open gate or what. I know alot of people just go to Knoebels, to eat then leave. Considering Most meals will only cost you between $5 and $10 you can't go wrong at Knoebels. At a most park chains you can possibly get a burger, and a drink for $10 where as Knoebels you get an entire meal.

You can't beat their all you can eat Fish Fry every Friday at the Oasis. Around $12 if you get the drink (refillable while dining), salad, and what not.

Don't forget the Tri Taters near the Haunted Mansion, Gyros at the Wharf, The International Food Court.......Is it April 23rd yet?

I just wonder if Knoebels food quality would suffer it it became a gated park someday.

EDIT: I know at one time Hersheypark had a Taco Bell up where the taco place is now near Sidewinder.

Dorney had a Taco Bell and KFC around the corner from the Red Garder Saloon near the Balloon Race, also gone. They do have a Subway though.

Could it be somthing like the fee either the park or chain charges is too high or they raise the price later and they just pull out?

*** Edited 4/6/2005 12:45:18 AM UTC by coasterpunk***

Parks Where I will eat the food:

-Holiday World
-Lake Winnie

That's it. Why should I pay so much to eat park food when I can just leave and eat more food for less price?

In fact, what I usually do in parks is eat about 5 packs of Crackers(allowed in all parks), and at the end of the day go somewhere and order more food than I would ever eat otherwise, like 4 tacos and a bean burrito, or 2 double cheeseburgers and large fries. It costs less than one meal in a park would, and It keeps me satisfied all day.

I think that food service franchises are a good idea for the park (from an operations and financial standpoint), particularly the way Paramount and SF handle some of their franchised locations. (Especially the newer ones...)

From my understanding, the park essentially acts like a "mall", leasing the space to the franchise operator (I'm sure at a s/f rate much higher than the market average) and take a cut of revenue. The franchisee is then repsonsible for all aspects of the operation (including staffing).

Since staffing has been a continual challenge for the parks over the last several years, there is a definite advantage to leave that headache to the franchisee. Financially, I bet acting as "landlord" is just as lucrative to the park as operating the outlet themselves.

From a guest standpoint, franchises are good because they're familiar and comfortable with the product. Although, it does allow for price comparisons on the "outside", which may be off-putting for some people. However, I think most people realize that "theme park economics" doesn't match the real world.

CF is the exception to this. From my understanding, they actually buy the franchise and operate it themselves. While I'm sure that's done to maintain operational/quality control, that seems to make less financial sense than just developing their own internal brands. (Of course, it also never made sense to me why they branded their hotel at KBF a Radisson either...)

Joel *** Edited 4/6/2005 2:07:00 PM UTC by JZarley***

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millrace said:
But if it isn't really chili, why call it that? Because "Skyline Spicy Meat Sauce" is too cumbersome?

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Actually it really is chili.

From Websters:

2 a : a thick sauce of meat and chilies

(First definition omitted since it refers to the pepper, not the sauce).

A lot of people think that it needs to have beans in order to be called chili, but beans are just an "extra" that most people include.

Back to the topic of discussion:
I am all for franchised food establishments in parks. I don't think every venue should be a franchise, but in moderation, it is good. It provides an option that many are comfortable with. If you don't want to eat there, then don't. Every park still has it's bland selection of dry hamburgers and stale chicken fingers that you can order. There are some parks that just can't get the food right (and so as not to flame any park/chain, I won't mention them) and I would much rather order from the Subway or Panda Express than order the crap that the park is gouging me for. If I am going to overpay for food, then give me something decent. I am not saying that these chains are perfect, but they are a nice option to have at many parks.

If every park had quality food at a reasonable price, then it may not be necessary. But the industry isn't perfect.

I am truly surprised at the number of people who say they would rather go across the street to get the food if it was going to be franchised food. I thought that was a major faux pas in the enthusiast industry. That wastes valuable park time and you aren't supporting the park (as the park needs the rent and any % of revenue that the franchise may generate for the park).

Hey if the park charged a reasonable price then I might be more likely to spend my money inside. I also pick and choose as to who I will give "extra" money too. I don't much care about how rich certain park companies get and don't really feel like giving them anymore money then I have to. If they can't profit off my entrance fee then that's their problem, not mine. And then there are other parks that I take special interest in and will usually spend my food money so they will benefit. And, interestingly, it is these places that tend to have the best food and best prices. Go figure.

So according to Websters chili *must* have meat in it. I guess I never eat "real" chili which might explain why Skyline doesn't appeal to me! :)