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| We want to thank everyone for their comments via our show surveys and in-person feedback. We are delighted by the overwhelming positive feedback concerning the changes but encourage you to continue offering your comments. We can only get better by hearing from our customers. |
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What is TPAC's tempting Tastes of Tennessee?
With the beginning of the 06-07 season, TPAC implemented a brand new business model for the Concessions department. One of the primary areas of focus was to expanding the quality & variety of products we make available by developing relationships with local & state vendors. This new plan gained the name TPAC's tempting Tastes of Tennessee (ToT).
For a full list of ToT partners, click here.
We are unable to prepare any food on-site. This means that with each product we receive we must pre-order a definite quantity and cross our fingers that we guessed right. This partnership with local companies has allowed us to serve freshly made treats rather than only pre-packaged foods. We have added two blends of coffee, scones, brownies, cheesecakes, cakes, sandwiches and much more.
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Why do you sometimes run out of sandwiches and other specialty items?
TPAC works within the State-owned James K. Polk building. The State has been wonderful in helping us gain a little space here and there but the bottom line is we work with a very finite amount of space. One facet of food & beverage we lack at TPAC is the space required to do food preparation on site. This is coupled with the fact that we also have very limited storage space for food onsite which makes having plenty of product on hand at any given time challenging. Therefore, we preorder all our specialty items based on a predetermined estimation of what we think our customers will crave when they visit TPAC. Our goal is to make sure that all products are represented without ordering in excess. The hope here is to guarantee freshness while ensuring we do not create excess waste.
Please know we always review the sales trends at the close of each show to see if there are trends or demands we need to address. As a result in the 07-08 season alone, we have increased the number of sandwiches we order per engagement five times. We are currently enjoying positive response and doing all we can to keep up with demand.
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Why are the lines so long at concessions?
You're right, the lines at the bars and Center Landing Café can get very long, especially at intermission. Due to limited space in the building, we are unable to increase our serving areas so we try to adapt. We have made several changes to help relieve some of this congestion.
*One of these changes is the standardization of the opening time for Center Landing Café & bars. We open the Café and bars one and a half hours (1 ½ hours) prior to the published start time of each public performance.
*Another way we try to help is by offering Pre-Order Drink Service. Pre-Order Drink service allows our customers to order intermission beverages prior to the show. When you arrive at the theater, just go to the bar (before the show begins), order your drink(s) of choice, pay for the drink(s) at the time you order and the bartender will give you a receipt. Then, at intermission you come out to a preset location and find your drink(s) of choice waiting on a duplicate copy of your receipt with your name on it. Just show your receipt to the staff member at the table and walk away with your pre-order. No lines to battle!
This service is only available at our bars, but they are able to offer more than alcoholic beverages such as sodas, water and coffee as well as a few food items. Ask your bartender about the Pre-Order Service on your next visit. This service is only available with shows that have intermissions.
*We also have added three Dasani water vending machines. Through the incredible generosity of our partners at Coca-Cola, we now have Dasani water vending machines located in the Jackson Hall Tier lobby, Jackson Hall Balcony lobby and the Polk Theater lobby. These machines will only be operational during TPAC events in those venues, so we are hopeful we can keep them fully stocked for TPAC customers.
*One of these changes is the standardization of the opening time for Center Landing Café & bars. We open the Café and bars one and a half hours (1 ½ hours) prior to the published start time of each public performance.
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Why do you allow more than bottled water in the theater now?
TPAC decided a few years ago to begin allowing bottled water only in the theaters. This decision grew out of growing comments from our customers to offer this service just as many other venues in town were doing. At that time, we polled other performing arts centers in the country and we found that allowing beverages purchased at the venue to be taken into the theatre was a very common practice. It is even more common in NYC Broadway theaters where some theaters even sell beverages inside the theater walls rather than just in the lobby spaces. As positive customer response grew and customers asked for more variety of beverages to be allowed in the theater, we responded to the overwhelming request. And yes, of course, the finances of it do come into play. With so much competition for the entertainment dollar, we are always challenged to find ways to keep up with the other performance venues surrounding us or lose the business. Even promoter & producer urged us to allow beverage purchased at the theater inside because it makes their show more appealing to their customers. Ultimately, the decision still belongs to the producer using the theater, but TPAC's venue policy is 'all drinks are allowed in the theater'.
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Why do some shows allow 'Only bottled water', some 'All drinks', and still others 'All drinks without ice'?
TPAC's venue policy is 'all drinks are allowed in the theater'. However, the final decision of what, if any, beverage can be taken into the theater is in the hands of the producer whose show is playing in the theater. This is why you often see varying policies on 'all drinks are allowed in the theater'. Some of our groups prefer only bottled water; some prefer only drinks with caps; some events prefer drinks without lids so nothing can be easily used as a projectile.
The bottom line is we all trust each other to know what our customers want. We have developed a great relationship with the producers at TPAC, one that is truly centered on customer service.
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Why is the only concessions stand on the 1st floor? Why can?t we purchase drinks, snacks and souvenirs in the tier and/or balcony?
Since the beginning of the 06-07 season, TPAC has been dedicated to changing and improving TPAC Concessions in order to better serve you, our customers. We have been supported in making many changes to our menu and general business model. The one request the company and board have not been able to offer us is more space. Because we manage the theater spaces and lobbies for the State of TN, the space we have to work in is finite. There simply are no spaces available in our tier and balcony levels to use as service spaces. However, we are constantly reviewing ways we might better serve 2,000+ people in 15 minutes. We know it is hard to get to the restrooms and wait in line for food and drink all in 15-20 minute intermission breaks. So allow me to share three points that might help you with these concerns.
* We open the Café and bars one and a half hours (1 ½ hours) prior to the published start time of each public performance. So come early, enjoy a TPAC's tempting Tastes of Tennessee (ToT) snack and per-order a drink for intermission.
*Pre-Order Drink service allows our customers to order intermission beverages prior to the show. When you arrive at the theater, just go to the bar (before the show begins) order your drink(s) of choice, pay for the drink(s) at the time you order and the bartender will give you a receipt. Then, at intermission you come out to a preset location and find your drink(s) of choice waiting on a duplicate copy of your receipt with your name on it. Just show your receipt to the staff member at the table and walk away with your pre-order. No lines to battle! This service is only available at our bars, but they are able to offer more than alcoholic beverages such as sodas, water and coffee as well as a few food items. This service is only available with shows that have intermissions.
For the location of our bars, click here.
*We also have added three Dasani water vending machines. Through the incredible generosity of our partners at Coca-Cola, we now have Dasani water vending machines located in the Jackson Hall Tier lobby, Jackson Hall Balcony lobby and the Polk Theater lobby. These machines will only be operational during TPAC events in those venues, so we are hopeful we can keep them fully stocked for TPAC customers.
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How do you decide when to serve alcohol or not to serve? Do you serve at children/family performances?
TPAC's general policy is to open the bar(s) located at the theater for all public events. For private events, it is the decision of the producer using the theater as to whether TPAC's bar(s) will be open. It is TPAC's belief that it is not our place to prescribe to our customers what they should or should not be allowed to consume at a performance. Therefore, we do not have a blanket policy on serving for some events and not others. Our bartenders go through extensive training which addresses who to serve, when to stop serving someone and the laws associated with over-serving. In addition to all these precautions, our managers are well-trained in spotting possible issues and addressing them, as discreetly as possible, before anything escalates. TPAC Concessions does consider the nature of every show when making buying decisions as well as what we serve. We have been asked by some children/family shows to not serve alcohol which we have agreed to on a case-by-case basis. TPAC does also consider this option when we are the Producer and for some community events. We feel strongly about customer service and offering consistent service. 'Consistency' does not only apply to being available but also to product line.
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When do the bar(s) and Café open at TPAC?
The bar(s) located at the theater is open one and one-half hours (1 ½ hours) prior to the event start time for public events. Center Landing Café is open for all Jackson Hall public events and most Polk Theater public events. The café also opens one and one-half hours (1 ½ hours) prior to the event start time for public events.
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How do you determine the prices of your menu items?
The pricing of each item is carefully considered. We evaluate the cost of the product to TPAC; any packaging we must supply in order to sell the product and the labor associated with having the infrastructure to sell the product. We also do some comparative shopping at other venues around town and do what we can to charge the best possible price.
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Why are your prices increasing this year?
As you know, grocery prices are increasing more and more each day. So many of our vendors, especially the local vendors, are really feeling the pinch and having to understandably pass on that cost. We understand and want to continue to support them during this challenging time.; so, we have not considered eliminating any products from your menu. We have had to push the pricing up a bit in response, but only a very small amount. We are doing what we can to absorb some of the price increases. We hope you will still recognize the great value you receive for high quality food & beverage.
Hey, you can still buy a piece of amazing cake and a bottle of water for less than some movie theaters charge for popcorn.
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Why does my cup have "bare" printed on it?
TPAC is making many changes in an effort to be more 'green'. One of these changes involves using a line of cups produced by the Solo Corporation called ‘bare,’ which is an acronym for ‘bringing alternative recourses for the environment.’ Bare cups are made from 20% post-consumer recycled plastic which helps reduce new materials being created from earth's resources. Bare cups display the same high quality consumers have come to expect from Solo's conventional clear cups.
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Can we have a reception, party and/or meeting at TPAC?
Absolutely! We love it when you decide to have your special event at TPAC. We host many meetings, receptions, weddings, etc. here. We entertain social groups, business conferences, girl scout troupes, you name it. Just contact our Event Sales & Services team at eventservices@tpac.org and they can help you with finding the right space. Once we have that set up, TPAC Concessions can help you with caterers, bartenders and menu options. Bringing a group? Why not make it a party & a show? Have a pre-show or post-show reception in one of our beautiful lobby spaces. Some shows at TPAC offers Group ticket discounts for as few as 10 people. Check out www.tpac.org/groups for more information. Many people have discovered the wonders of having a reception here. So, whatever you do, make your reservations for space early.
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Are you hiring?
We are always on the lookout for customer service oriented professionals. If you are interested in working at TPAC, please send your resume to hr@tpac.org and note your interest in being part of the Concessions team at TPAC.
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How can a company become a TPAC's tempting Tastes of Tennessee vendor?
We are very dedicated to our ToT vendors. We consider them our partners in business. As a result, there is a rather thorough screening process involved in considering new ToT partners. A few of these include:
*One, they have a great product that is made here in Tennessee.
*Two, they have a great reputation with their present customers.
*Three, they have to have a real dedication to customer service. Not just in how they serve TPAC, but customers and the community in general.
We consider these wonderful folks an extension of the TPAC family. We have impact on each other?s reputations and we both have to take that very seriously.
*Four, this point lands squarely on the shoulders of TPAC.
We do not want to take on more ToT partners unless we know we can serve them well. Can we adequately represent their product? Is the product one we can sell in the very limited space and time constraints we have? Can we guarantee the product will be served at its best levels of freshness?
It is not about quantity, but rather quality; quality of product, service and partnership.
Have a business or know of one you would like to see at TPAC? Just send an email with your thoughts and maybe a few of your favorite items to concessions@tpac.org.
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