RALEIGH, N.C. — The North Carolina State Fair more than tripled what it collected from food and drink sellers this year after switching to a fee based on sales, and fair leaders say the percentage model is here to stay despite complaints from some vendors.
The fair took in just over $3.1 million from 214 food and beverage vendors in 2026, compared with a little under $980,000 from about 204 vendors in 2025, according to the fair director.
The jump comes from a new pricing system. Vendors used to pay a flat $180 for each foot of stand frontage, so a 10-foot booth cost $1,800 for the 11-day run. This year they instead handed over 15% of gross sales after sales tax and had to run every sale through the fair’s Clover point-of-sale system, which lets the fair audit receipts. Some sellers said renting that equipment cost them around $500.
Fair officials say the change matches common practice elsewhere. South Carolina, Ohio and Tennessee also charge 15% of gross food sales, while Iowa takes 19.5% and Colorado 25%. Virginia and West Virginia charge 18% to 20% or a flat fee, whichever is higher.
The fair drew more than 910,000 visitors this year, but several vendors say bigger crowds did not mean bigger profits once the new fee and equipment costs were counted. Some first-time sellers reported losing money, and longtime vendors said their costs at least doubled. About half of this year’s vendors were based in North Carolina, and some in-state sellers want a lower rate for local businesses.
Fair leaders say part of the added revenue will go toward improvements ahead of 2028, when the fairgrounds turn 100. They review every change between fairs but expect to keep both the percentage fee and the Clover-only requirement next year.
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