You may need less cash at the Iowa State Fair next month. The fair is requiring all food and drink vendors to take credit and debit cards this year. The fair says it’s all about making it easier for fairgoers to buy their favorites foods. This was supposed to take effect during last year’s fair, which was canceled due to the pandemic.“We’re embracing technology and give people the opportunity…so many people today don’t carry cash,” said Gary Slater, fair general manager.Slater said they’ve been experimenting with a credit card system for the past few years. It turns out customers seem to love the idea. So now all food and beverage vendors must provide a credit card or debit card payment option. At least one vendor says it’s a no-brainer. “Actually, it’s worked really well. My employees love it,” said Connie Boesen, a long-time fair vendor. Boesen operates the Applishus stands at the fairgrounds. She began using the credit card system several years ago. She says customers can get faster service and her business can get more sales data.“It shows how much we sold. I never knew, it was kind of a guessing game on how much slush I sold, how many sliced apples, how many egg rolls. So at the end of the day, I get a printout of the items that I sold so I know it helps project out what you’re going to need,” Boesen said.The fair said cash is still welcome but expects fewer visitors to use it, which may help the bottom line. And I think the vendors will see that people will probably spend more money on a credit card. I know I do,” Slater said. He also says the fair collects 19.5% of vendor food sales and 25% for alcohol sales. The credit card system will also make it easier to keep track of those numbers.
You may need less cash at the Iowa State Fair next month. The fair is requiring all food and drink vendors to take credit and debit cards this year.
The fair says it’s all about making it easier for fairgoers to buy their favorites foods.
This was supposed to take effect during last year’s fair, which was canceled due to the pandemic.
“We’re embracing technology and give people the opportunity…so many people today don’t carry cash,” said Gary Slater, fair general manager.
Slater said they’ve been experimenting with a credit card system for the past few years. It turns out customers seem to love the idea. So now all food and beverage vendors must provide a credit card or debit card payment option. At least one vendor says it’s a no-brainer.
“Actually, it’s worked really well. My employees love it,” said Connie Boesen, a long-time fair vendor.
Boesen operates the Applishus stands at the fairgrounds. She began using the credit card system several years ago. She says customers can get faster service and her business can get more sales data.
“It shows how much we sold. I never knew, it was kind of a guessing game on how much slush I sold, how many sliced apples, how many egg rolls. So at the end of the day, I get a printout of the items that I sold so I know it helps project out what you’re going to need,” Boesen said.
The fair said cash is still welcome but expects fewer visitors to use it, which may help the bottom line.
And I think the vendors will see that people will probably spend more money on a credit card. I know I do,” Slater said.
He also says the fair collects 19.5% of vendor food sales and 25% for alcohol sales. The credit card system will also make it easier to keep track of those numbers.