The 2023 NFL Draft took place at Union Station in Kansas City last year, giving local businesses a unique opportunity to be in the center of all the action. Jayaun Smith, owner of Sauced, credited the NFL Business Connect Program for helping his business reach new heights. Smith recalled the excitement he felt when he received the call from the program, describing it as an unreal moment.
Being in the prime location during the draft significantly boosted Sauced’s visibility and profitability. Smith noted a substantial increase in gross profit, allowing the business to hire more employees and expand its operations. The surge in orders and foot traffic on Fridays following the draft has been a significant blessing for the business.
For Smith, being selected as a personal chef for the draft was a dream come true, especially as a native of Kansas City. Seeing his business benefit from the draft experience made the whole event even more special for him. In City Market, however, Alex Pope, co-owner of Local Pig and Pigwich, had a slightly different experience. Despite being located along the streetcar route, Pope found that the draft did not have as much of an impact on his businesses as he had hoped.
While Local Pig’s restaurant saw more customers during the draft, the meat market experienced a decline in sales. Pope advised businesses in future draft cities to carefully consider how the event might affect their operations and plan accordingly. Pope emphasized the importance of not overstocking perishable items and being prepared for potential changes in foot traffic patterns during large events like the NFL Draft.