America’s Bar and Grill in Aurora has purchased 15,000 extra chicken wings to feed the hordes of hungry fans expected for this Sunday’s Super Bowl.
“We’ve definitely geared up,” said America’s kitchen manager Devon Kimzey. “It’s usually a very profitable night for us.”
The sports bar sells about 3,000 wings on a normal football Sunday.
From restaurants to electronics stores, businesses across the metro area are preparing for a boost from the big game.
More than 90 million Americans are expected to tune in for at least part of the Super Bowl. Many will be watching it on a new television.
According to a recent survey by the Retail Advertising and Marketing Association, 2.5 million consumers plan to purchase a new TV for the event, up from 1.7 million last year.
Mike Gomez of Aurora was shopping for a new TV at Ultimate Electronics on Wednesday. He said he planned to buy an $8,000, 50-inch plasma high-definition TV for the party he’s having this weekend.
“I’m just a football fan,” he said. “I’ve been looking to buy a new TV for a couple of months; the Super Bowl is motivating me to buy one now.”
Thornton-based Ultimate Electronics is offering customers guaranteed delivery by game time: 4:25 p.m.
Listen Up Electronics, a Denver- based chain, said it traditionally sees at least a 20 percent spike in TV sales in January.
“January is always a real strong TV month for us, and a lot of it is Super Bowl driven,” said marketing manager Phil Murray. “It definitely has an impact on sales.”
No Colorado companies ponied up the $2.6 million necessary to purchase a 30-second national Super Bowl ad. But a handful of businesses – including Qwest and Frontier Airlines – have purchased local ad time on KCNC-Channel 4, the CBS affiliate airing the matchup.
Frontier purchased two local spots to feature new ads for its “Denver’s Favorite Animal” campaign.
“It’s all a numbers game,” said airline spokesman Joe Hodas. “It’s about how many eyeballs are going to see the ad.”
KCNC declined to name which companies bought the available local ad time or what prices they fetched.
But Denver sports-marketing veteran Steve Sander estimated that the local ads went for at least $50,000 this year.
“With Chicago and Indianapolis in there, the market is probably even stronger than it was last year,” said Sander. “I think there is a lot of overall interest in this game.”
Viewers can expect to see national ads from companies such as Sprint, Pepsi, Ford Motor, Coca-Cola, General Motors and Anheuser-Busch.
For thirsty football fans, Denver’s Argonaut Liquors ordered extra beer for the weekend.
“We do stock up heavier because sales are always greater this weekend,” said general manager Mark Fetter. “It’s going be busier than normal in here on Friday and Saturday.”
Staff writer Julie Dunn can be reached at 303-954-1592 or jdunn@denverpost.com.
How to enjoy Super Bowl XLI
AWAY | Head for a bar or restaurant. Local sports bars have stocked up on beer and chicken wings.
HOME | Buy a big-screen TV (the bigger the better). Electronics stores are ready to help.
