December is the perfect time to tighten your inventory and start January with a clean, profitable slate. A short, focused inventory tune-up helps you see what’s on hand, protect quality, and free up cash tied to slow movers. Here’s a practical plan you can complete in a single afternoon.
Set the Stage
Print one page per product you carry. At the top, note product name, supplier, pack size, date codes, storage location, and whether it’s unopened, opened, or prepped. Clear a single table for staging so counting and decisions happen in one spot. If you have helpers, assign roles: one pulls items, one verifies dates and conditions, one records counts.
Count with Purpose
Work by category: dry goods first, then frozen, then equipment consumables. For each item, log three facts: total units, soonest date code, and open vs. sealed. Photograph any damaged packaging so you can resolve credits with suppliers later.
- Dry goods: popcorn kernels and kits, floss sugar, cones and bags, nacho chips, seasonings, cups and lids.
- Frozen: soft pretzels, Mini Melts, any par-baked items.
- Consumables: bags, barrier pouches, date labels, gloves, and cleaning supplies.
Decide: Keep, Clear, or Convert
Use simple rules so decisions are fast and consistent.
Keep items that are sealed, within comfortable date windows, and sell steadily. Move them to the front of the shelves and mark them “Use First.” Popcorn kits, sealed floss sugar, and bag stock often live here.
Clear items that are slow, overstocked for winter, or creeping toward dates. Create a short-term promo board for the next two weeks: a caramel corn feature, a pretzel-plus-cocoa combo, or a family popcorn share. The goal is velocity, not deep discounting.
Convert items that can become shelf-stable or giftable. Pre-bag popcorn into barrier pouches with a small flavor sticker. Spin and heat-seal cotton candy for grab-and-go. Box a trio of popcorn flavors as a “holiday flight.” Conversion turns idle stock into quick cash without waste.
Protect the Quality of What You Keep
Freshness relies on air-tight storage and clean rotation.
- Move kernels, sugar, and chips into food-grade bins with gasketed lids. Add a large date label to each bin.
- Set a single FIFO shelf for each category and place the soonest date at the front.
- For opened syrups or mixes, wipe threads, cap tightly, and log the open date.
- In the freezer, group products by type and mark the earliest date with a bright tag so staff pull correctly during rushes.
Storage bins, date labels, heat sealers, and barrier bags make these habits easy to keep.
Right-Size January Par Levels
Look back at last December and January sales, then set lean par levels for winter schedules. Indoor sports and concerts drive different patterns than fall festivals. Many stands thrive on a tight core: New England Coffee, cocoa, soft pretzels, popcorn, and one novelty. Order smaller cases where possible and plan one mid-month top-off rather than one large order that sits.
Close Out Partials
Open cases are the most likely to go stale or get misplaced. Consolidate partial cases of identical lots. If you have multiple open flavor shakers or toppings, combine and discard worn packaging. Label every open item with a bold “OPENED” sticker and a date so it gets used first in January.
Clean, Service, and Store
A clean machine makes the product taste better and extends equipment life.
- Poppers: degrease kettles and vents, wipe cabinets, replace bulbs if dim.
- Cotton candy: remove sugar build-up, inspect ribbons and brushes, store covered.
- Pretzel warmers: clean trays and glass, verify thermostats hold.
- Mini Melts and freezers: clear frost, check gaskets, confirm temperature.
Make a one-page service log and tape it inside your storage area so staff can initial each completed task.
Simple Paperwork To Stay on Track
Create three short lists before you’re done.
- Reorder list: items at or below January par.
- Sell-down list: items to feature first two weeks of January.
- Credit/claim list: anything damaged or shorted, with photos attached.
Having these ready speeds your first call with your Allen Associates Profit Counselor and prevents surprises at your next event.
What Allen Associates Can Provide
If you want to make this tune-up stick, we can kit the tools and products that reduce waste and simplify rotation: Gold Medal popcorn kits with long shelf life, floss sugar and cotton candy bags for pre-packing, and winter-friendly core items like pretzels and coffee.
A two-hour inventory tune-up clarifies what you own, turns slow stock into cash, and sets realistic January orders. You’ll start the new year with tighter shelves, faster service, and fewer write-offs.