If you could attend any event in the world, what event would you attend? With whom would you go? What sounds, smells, sights, and energy do you perceive as part of the experience? For many of us, attending a ‘bucket-list’ event would lead to a wonderful, enduring memory.

Return to the event you identified a few moments ago; what food and beverage would you order to enhance your experience and memories related to the event? Now, what if there was an easier way to order, pay for, and obtain these delights?

Sports fans and event attendees rejoice as FanFood makes it possible!

FanFood offers multiple cashless ordering methods, express pick up, delivery, and pre-ordering, in addition to premium and hospitality suite ordering. They are active with over 330 accounts, with partners ranging from professional stadiums, collegiate facilities, and convention centers to high schools and drive-in movie theaters. FanFood recognizes each partner has nuanced challenges, thus, FanFood solves current problems facing concessionaires and other hospitality groups.

Their laser-focused problem-solving effort translates into a stellar fan experience, increased revenue, and a seamless operational implementation for their partners. This problem-solving support occurs in the way partners leverage the FanFood platform. For example, digital sponsorship assets, day-of assistance, menu recommendations, and other complementary professional services enable a stickier, long-term, personalized solution.

One of FanFood’s cofounders, Will Anderson, graduated with a degree in Sport and Recreation Management (SRM) from the University of Iowa. When asked how his degree prepared him for developing FanFood, Will said, “my time in the SRM program provided me with the foundation to better understand how the world of sports business operates. Most importantly, it led me to know the personas of the individuals in the space, which is crucial from a relationship building perspective. I quickly learned the sports industry is big, yet small in business. What I mean by this is, once someone enters the sports space, they more often than not stay in it. This creates a network where everyone is separated by 3 to 5 connections; again, putting a significant level of importance on building relationships. It’s not necessarily who you know, but who knows you.”

Upon graduating from the University of Iowa in 2017, business partners Will Anderson and Carson Goodale transitioned their minimum viable product to Chicago. Here, they closed investment from a private equity group, finalizing their seed round funding. Today, FanFood operates with a chief technology officer, senior architect, and full stack developer, while continuing to grow.

How exactly does FanFood work? These simple steps explain the seamless process:

• Fans arrive at the venue with the FanFood app downloaded on their phone or they scan a QR code at the event which will direct them to the webapp (doesn't require a download) and they will see the available concession stands.
• They select their desired concession stand and items.
• They process their payment via Apple Pay, Google Pay, or manually put in their credit card information.
• The fan is notified via SMS messages when their order is being processed and when it is either ready for pickup or on its way to be delivered.

Every minute a guest is waiting in a concession line is a minute away from the action they paid to see. FanFood isn’t just trying to make concessions operate more efficiently; FanFood is maximizing fans' time at the event. In addition to this, FanFood is now an important tool in offering a contactless ordering solution to ensure the safety and comfort of the fan. 

When asked what he loves about his career, Will has so much positive passion to share. The first thing he loves involves the minutia of his work, saying “as an avid sports fan, being able to see hundreds of facilities firsthand has enabled me to recognize the granular details that go into venue management and what truly makes fans have the great experiences at events has been amazing.” He also loves the travel and networking opportunities, noting “having been fortunate to travel the country, in addition to some international travel, I’ve also been able to meet some remarkable individuals with more years of experience in the market than I’ve been alive.” Finally, he’s humbled and hungry to continue in his current role, relating that “the environment within the industry of sports is unlike any other, and I couldn’t be happier having landed in the position I am in today.”

Looking to the future, Will has big goals for FanFood, saying “the goal is to continue growing FanFood until we are recognized as the preferred way to order food and beverage throughout sports and live entertainment. This has been the goal since day one; it remains the case today. We are working to finalize some partnerships that will propel us to a new level of operating. We will just have to wait and see what is in store for me once we accomplish this.”

Will, we are honored to be a part of your tremendous success and to have you as part of our SRM family!