gettingjaggy Posted December 26, 2012 Report Share Posted December 26, 2012 Hi, Just on the back of a few thoughts today, I was wondering if this would be an idea for half time catering. You know that these American styled pop up bbq carts have been appearing around Glasgow? Places like Buddy's in the South Side and Smoak at Variety? They do full hog roasts, pulled pork sandwiches and various other Man v Food inspired burger style bbq dishes. I was speaking to some people at ht who were mighty pissed off (me included) about the madness of catering queues. There just aren't enough kiosks, and the concourse isn't wide enough for other concessions on it in current health and safety. What about if we set up a "closed" ring of marquee type tents running from one set of big exit doors to the other at the opposite end of the JHS, with till type channels at the doors, and had big hog roast type bbq setups running the length of the JHS? One way system, a few stewards, pay on the way out OR if you're in early enough buy a voucher at the kiosk for a bite and a drink, and then all troop out at half time? It could be a real novelty, would probably be the best catering in the SFL, and it might relieve the concourse a bit... Thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trotter Posted December 26, 2012 Report Share Posted December 26, 2012 Hi, Just on the back of a few thoughts today, I was wondering if this would be an idea for half time catering. You know that these American styled pop up bbq carts have been appearing around Glasgow? Places like Buddy's in the South Side and Smoak at Variety? They do full hog roasts, pulled pork sandwiches and various other Man v Food inspired burger style bbq dishes. I was speaking to some people at ht who were mighty pissed off (me included) about the madness of catering queues. There just aren't enough kiosks, and the concourse isn't wide enough for other concessions on it in current health and safety. What about if we set up a "closed" ring of marquee type tents running from one set of big exit doors to the other at the opposite end of the JHS, with till type channels at the doors, and had big hog roast type bbq setups running the length of the JHS? One way system, a few stewards, pay on the way out OR if you're in early enough buy a voucher at the kiosk for a bite and a drink, and then all troop out at half time? It could be a real novelty, would probably be the best catering in the SFL, and it might relieve the concourse a bit... Thoughts? Thoughts? You've had too much Christmas sherry! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little_miss_jag Posted December 26, 2012 Report Share Posted December 26, 2012 Catering is outsourced to Sporting solutions, nothing can really be changed until that deal ends. It's a pity because they really are shit. Anyone know when the deal with Sporting solutions ends? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gettingjaggy Posted December 26, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 26, 2012 I try not to make silly suggestions! I honestly think it could be a goer! But yeah, as LMJ says it's all about Sporting Solutions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Partick75 Posted December 26, 2012 Report Share Posted December 26, 2012 The best idea to the problem is to have a booth were you purchase a card which has credit on it then you go the pie stall with it, they swipe it no money changing hands job done, quick service small waiting times. Ive been in Germany at games and this works a treat, and if you don't spend all your credit you simply use your card again at the next game, what's the problem??. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little_miss_jag Posted December 26, 2012 Report Share Posted December 26, 2012 I try not to make silly suggestions! I honestly think it could be a goer! But yeah, as LMJ says it's all about Sporting Solutions. Hopefully whenever that contact is up they ask the fans for ideas. We used to do pie of the month which people really loved. Sporting Solutions also have the contact to the Aitken suite which is just as bad as the catering sadly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottymagoo Posted December 26, 2012 Report Share Posted December 26, 2012 The best idea to the problem is to have a booth were you purchase a card which has credit on it then you go the pie stall with it, they swipe it no money changing hands job done, quick service small waiting times. Ive been in Germany at games and this works a treat, and if you don't spend all your credit you simply use your card again at the next game, what's the problem??. The card booths in Germany work well but then the Bundesliga averages 40,000+ attendances which make it worthwhile investing in expensive technologies. I'm not sure the same can be applied to Firhill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buchanio Posted December 26, 2012 Report Share Posted December 26, 2012 the club need to embrace these ideas and think big or the catering will remain amateur and shite. the card idea works in scools so why not Firhill. Anything to avoid a long queue and a hard luck story at the end of it... just like today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uberteeb Posted December 26, 2012 Report Share Posted December 26, 2012 All the club need to do is get someone who actually gives a toss about what they are serving and how its served rather than highest bidder lowest common denominator shite like Sporting Solutions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottymagoo Posted December 26, 2012 Report Share Posted December 26, 2012 Schools open 5 days a week not once a fortnight and will have much greater competition when tendering for catering contracts so again we're not really comparing eggs with eggs. There's nothing wrong with thinking big but thinking best stadiums in Europe big when you're loaded with debt and playing in front of 2500 people in the SFL is sigesige00 stuff. I don't know for sure though, maybe a card system could be affordable. I don't go to away games but does anybody know if a card system is used elsewhere in SFL? And if it isn't does every ground have the same problems? Still, even if they do sort out the queues, I wouldn't buy the sh*te food that's on offer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twinny Posted December 26, 2012 Report Share Posted December 26, 2012 The best idea to the problem is to have a booth were you purchase a card which has credit on it then you go the pie stall with it, they swipe it no money changing hands job done, quick service small waiting times. Ive been in Germany at games and this works a treat, and if you don't spend all your credit you simply use your card again at the next game, what's the problem??. Or you could buy tokens meaning you don't need any added infrastructure, just maybe an extra member of staff or two to sell the tokens/vouchers. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jagtastic Posted December 26, 2012 Report Share Posted December 26, 2012 Commendable idea, but that buddy's in south side can't even keep their shop stocked never mind having wee mobile carts for us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gettingjaggy Posted December 26, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 26, 2012 True. But I used them as examples of this kind of food's popularity. If they can't keep up with demand, and we have a big setup outside that gets everyone tasty food in 15 minutes, itd be a hell of a lot easier to convince mates to come to games and enjoy the whole experience. Smoak has only been operating a couple of months and has had to invest in a proper kitchen space already to keep up with demand. Last time I experienced anything like it is when we go to six nations games at Murrayfield - the hotels around the stadium make a killing from bottle bars and barbeques in marquees outside when they have mere tiny bars inside for their lower demand the rest of the year. Done cleverly, Thistle could really have something special. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jagtastic Posted December 27, 2012 Report Share Posted December 27, 2012 Ultimately, and tasty as they my be, I doubt that many people are looking for that type of product at firhill. Also, I'm not sure how the polis would be about lots of food outlets equating to more people congregating for longer outside the ground. If we can sort the queuing, availability, selection and service problems that exist just now then I doubt there would be many complaints. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norgethistle Posted December 27, 2012 Report Share Posted December 27, 2012 Even getting the steak pies warm would be a start for sporting solutions, I got mine at 2.45 and it was barely look warm quite sure hot food by law has to be sold at a minimum temperature Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jagfox Posted December 27, 2012 Report Share Posted December 27, 2012 Basics need to be sorted out. Extra bodies serving, hot pies and hot dogs and enough hot water for drinks. I've suggested it before, I feel that servers with cash handlers separate would be a step forward. I've not even bothered getting anything in the last two months. Have things improved? I don't think so going by the reasoned comments on here. Even the away fans I spoke to yesterday suggested we ran out of pies before halftime. Over to Sporting Solutions I feel. Time to shape up or ship out, imo. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lambies Lost Doo Posted December 27, 2012 Report Share Posted December 27, 2012 I think 3 or 4 farmers market style food outlets would be a great idea. If people want to spend a fiver on a burger or other products then they could go out to the stalls before the game or during in a cordoned off area. Love the stuff that's on offer at Queens Park Farmers Market. People will still queue for pies and bovrils and Thistle offers something a bit different. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottymagoo Posted December 28, 2012 Report Share Posted December 28, 2012 Different people getting the food to those handling the cash is what they did when I worked in Mcdonalds when it got really busy at Christmas shopping time and is by far the best way to speed up service. They even do this at Pollok games and it works well. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wee jim Posted December 28, 2012 Report Share Posted December 28, 2012 Yet another pie stalls thread. It has been said many times before. Why on earth would the caterers want to change anything when they have huge queues lining up at halftime to buy their greasy shit. Jeezo they even sell-out some of the garbage. Just don't buy the stuff and it'll change pronto. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gettingjaggy Posted December 28, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 28, 2012 This might be futile, but I thought I was offering a suggestion, rather than just moaning about the pie stalls. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicofan Posted December 29, 2012 Report Share Posted December 29, 2012 True. But I used them as examples of this kind of food's popularity. If they can't keep up with demand, and we have a big setup outside that gets everyone tasty food in 15 minutes, itd be a hell of a lot easier to convince mates to come to games and enjoy the whole experience. Smoak has only been operating a couple of months and has had to invest in a proper kitchen space already to keep up with demand. Last time I experienced anything like it is when we go to six nations games at Murrayfield - the hotels around the stadium make a killing from bottle bars and barbeques in marquees outside when they have mere tiny bars inside for their lower demand the rest of the year. Done cleverly, Thistle could really have something special. Only been in the Variety a couple of months GJ...Has a had a shop in Yorkhill for some time...the sandwiches are fantastic..I know the guy that owns it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lance Gilmour Posted December 29, 2012 Report Share Posted December 29, 2012 Getting Jaggy/all - this is part of my remit under Onethistle. As GJ pants out, a better customer experience will lead to more fans. GJ - can you pm me your email address and we can have a discussion please ? (club email address is not yet up and running) I'd like to just understand your ideas a little more fully. Coincidentally, we are looking to run a poll to garner views on food choices. We are already very well aware of the challenges with queues and continue to work with Sporting Solutions to improve things (eg opening the Heineken bar recently). To everyone, I would only add, we ARE working on this and we will improve it. Thanks, Lance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fawlty Towers Posted December 29, 2012 Report Share Posted December 29, 2012 Getting Jaggy/all - this is part of my remit under Onethistle. As GJ pants out, a better customer experience will lead to more fans. GJ - can you pm me your email address and we can have a discussion please ? (club email address is not yet up and running) I'd like to just understand your ideas a little more fully. Coincidentally, we are looking to run a poll to garner views on food choices. We are already very well aware of the challenges with queues and continue to work with Sporting Solutions to improve things (eg opening the Heineken bar recently). To everyone, I would only add, we ARE working on this and we will improve it. Thanks, Lance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gettingjaggy Posted December 31, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2012 I'll have you know my pants have nothing to do with it! ;-) DM sent, Lance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jagfox Posted December 31, 2012 Report Share Posted December 31, 2012 I'll have you know my pants have nothing to do with it! ;-) DM sent, Lance. I hope the catering suggestions aren't as tough as old boot leather GJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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