Food preparation for this Saturday's game with Notre Dame is much more complicated than just microwaving popcorn and opening a can of soda. Brigham Young University Concessions has been gearing up all summer to serve a half-million hot dogs, 400,000 drinks, 45,000 pounds of popcorn and more than 15,000 pizzas this season.
"Continual Enhancement" is the theme of BYU Dining Services as additional improvements have been made to concessions stands, restaurant venues, signage and menu offerings, says Dean Wright, director of BYU Dining Services.
This year's restaurants include: McGrath's Fish House, Durango's Mexican Grill, Subway, Ole, Nuts Galore, Teriyaki Stix, Pizza Pipeline, Pizza Factory, Maui Wowi, Legends Grille, Wind River Kettle Korn, Snowie, Pretzelmania and Marathon Cotton Candy.
In addition, Wright says, charcoal grills will be located throughout the stadium on multiple levels providing chicken breast, bratwurst and hamburger sandwiches.
"Also, three new ovens will guarantee hot pizza throughout the stands, and Subway sandwiches will be made right in front of the fans improving upon last year's pre-made subs. Hot chicken, pork and beef barbecue have been added to the menu."
Cougar fans, he adds, will again benefit from dollar Dasani water – an item that differentiates the BYU stadium from any other collegiate facility.
Another improvement, he says, is that traditional concession stands will be easily identified as cash or card friendly. The "card" stands will accept major credit cards in every line. Last season over 20 percent of the sales were electronic – debit card, credit card and meal plan card, making LaVell Edwards Stadium the most payment friendly football facility in the NCAA.
Aaron Black, general manager of Concessions, says that at every game nearly a thousand individuals staff the stands to provide the best food and service possible.
"The logistics of preparing 12,000 pounds of nacho chips and 10,000 hot pretzels may seem overwhelming, but our crew is ready and anxious to please our loyal Cougar fans," he says.
"We certainly appreciate the support of the community," says Wright. "A major portion of each sale goes to maintain the stadium and to support BYU's athletic programs. As a way of saying thanks, we are offering our fans money-saving coupons, which will appear before Saturday's game in the Daily Herald, Deseret News and Salt Lake Tribune."
