Merchant Operations Addendum · Ice & Cold Chain Program

Centralized Ice & Cold Chain Program

All ice used across the Welcome to ATL Experience is sourced and distributed centrally. This addendum explains how the program works, what it costs, and how to make sure you're fully stocked every selling day.

All 68 Merchant Units Mandatory Program Pre-Orders Required
Section 01

Why Centralized Ice

Centralized ice is mandatory for all merchants across all three venues. Here is exactly why — and why it benefits you directly.

This Is a Program Requirement

Outside ice — from Costco, a personal supplier, or any other source — is not permitted at any Welcome to ATL Experience venue on any selling day. This applies to all merchants regardless of format or product category.

  • 01

    Your Storage Is Shared Infrastructure

    The refrigerated storage at each venue is a shared truck serving all merchants simultaneously. Individual outside ice deliveries would require vehicles to access selling areas after load-in closes — which is not permitted at any venue for safety and logistics reasons. Centralized supply is the only model that works within our operational structure.

  • 02

    It Protects Every Merchant's Setup Window

    If individual merchants were managing their own ice deliveries, the load-in window would become chaotic — multiple suppliers, uncoordinated arrivals, and blocked access for everyone else. Centralized morning delivery keeps load-in clean and on schedule for all 68 merchant units simultaneously.

  • 03

    It Eliminates Your Biggest Selling Day Risk

    Running out of ice on a match day — when your supplier can't get to you and the crowd is at its peak — is not a recoverable situation. Our centralized program includes a structured midday reorder window so you can top up without leaving your cart or making emergency calls.

  • 04

    Your Product Is Already Cold

    Your allocated space in the refrigerated storage truck keeps your product at temperature all day. The ice you're purchasing through this program is for service use — cocktails, cups, coolers at your stand — not for keeping product cold in a warm cooler. Your storage needs are already handled.

  • 05

    It Gives the Collective Buying Power You Don't Have Alone

    A single merchant ordering 4–6 bags from a retail supplier pays $4–6 per bag. Our program negotiates volume pricing across the full activation — 68 merchants, 16 days, 3 venues — and passes a structured, fair price back to you. You get professional event-grade supply at a rate no individual merchant could negotiate independently.

Section 02

Pricing & Minimums

Two price points. One for merchants who plan ahead. One for merchants who need more on the day. Pre-ordering is always the right move.

Pre-Order Price $10 per 20 lb bag
Minimum: 4 bags (80 lbs)
Submitted 48–72 hrs before your selling day.
Locked in — no changes within 24 hrs of delivery.
Recommended
Midday Reorder Price $13 per 20 lb bag
Minimum: 2 bags (40 lbs)
Submitted same-day before the reorder cutoff.
Premium reflects on-demand logistics cost.
On-Demand
Why There Are Two Prices

Pre-orders let us stage the exact right amount of ice at each venue before your selling day starts. That precision keeps costs down for everyone. The midday reorder premium is not punitive — it reflects the real cost of same-day logistics. Merchants who pre-order accurately pay less. That's intentional.

How much ice do I actually need? For a cold beverage and food vendor on a full selling day: expect to use 60–80 lbs (3–4 bags) on a pre-match day and 80–120 lbs (4–6 bags) on a match day. Atlanta June–July heat accelerates melt — factor this in. When in doubt, round up on your pre-order. Unused ice is a smaller problem than running out at peak hour.
Non-Food / Retail Vendor 0–2

bags per day. Only if serving cold drinks to staff or offering beverages. Most retail vendors need no ice.

Food Vendor (Light Beverage) 3–4

bags per day. Cold food prep, light beverage service, cups. Pre-match day volume.

Full F&B / Cocktail Vendor 5–7

bags per day on match days. High cocktail volume, continuous cup ice, Atlanta summer heat. Order aggressively.

Match Day Premium +2

bags above your pre-match baseline. Post-match rush drives 30–40% of daily sales — be fully stocked before kickoff.

Staff Ice — Yes, You Can Order For That

Ice for your team's personal use — water coolers, staff drinks — is eligible under this program. It counts toward your pre-order minimum and is priced the same. Do not bring outside ice for staff use. The program covers you.

Non-Food Vendors — Do You Need Ice?

If you sell packaged goods only and are not serving any cold beverages, you likely do not need ice. You are still covered by the program if you want it — but you are not required to order if you have no use for it. If you're unsure, email vendors@welcometoatlexperience.com and we'll help you assess.

Section 03

How It Works

The pre-order process is simple. Here is exactly what happens from the moment you submit your order to the moment ice is in your hands on selling day.

  • 01

    Submit Your Pre-Order 48–72 Hours Before Your Selling Day

    Use the Ice Pre-Order Form on your Merchant Portal at welcometoatlexperience.com/pages/merchant-portal. Select your venue, selling day, and bag quantity. You will receive an email confirmation within 2 hours. Orders are not confirmed without that email.

  • 02

    Your Order Is Staged Before Load-In Opens Morning of Your Selling Day

    Ice is delivered to a central staging point at your venue before the merchant load-in window opens. You do not need to be present for delivery — your order is already there when you arrive.

  • 03

    Pick Up From the Logistics Lead at Your Venue During Load-In

    Check in with your venue's on-site Logistics Lead — stationed at the central ice staging area — to receive your pre-ordered bags. Bring your order confirmation email or confirmation number. Ice is distributed on a first-come, first-served basis during load-in — arrive early in your window.

  • 04

    Reorder Midday If Needed Cutoff: 11AM Each Selling Day

    Running lower than expected? Submit a reorder through the same form on the Merchant Portal before 11AM on your selling day. Minimum 2 bags. Reorder ice is available for pickup from the Logistics Lead by early afternoon. Requests after 11AM cannot be guaranteed same-day.

  • 05

    Emergency Ice Match Days Only — Limited

    On match days only, a small emergency ice reserve is held at each venue for genuine supply emergencies. This is not a substitute for the reorder process — it is a last resort for unexpected equipment failures or unusual demand spikes. Emergency ice is $13/bag. Access through the Logistics Lead only — no self-service.

Pre-Order Deadline Is Firm

Orders submitted inside 24 hours of your selling day cannot be guaranteed. Our supply logistics are confirmed the evening before each selling day based on submitted pre-orders. Late orders go on a waitlist and are filled only if excess supply is available. Do not rely on this. Submit your pre-order on time.

Where To Pick Up — By Venue

Venue Ice Staging Location Notes
The Center Atlanta Upstairs — DoorDash Merchant Lounge staging area Same location as your dry and refrigerated storage
Steele Bridge Under the bridge — canyon logistics area Steps from your cart. Bollards do not affect access to this area.
South Downtown Steele Bridge lounge — directly across the street Shared with Steele Bridge. 2-minute walk from your cart.
Section 04

Questions Answered

Every question we anticipate — answered before you have to ask.

Why can't I just bring my own ice from Costco? It's cheaper per bag.
We understand the sticker comparison. But this isn't a cost-per-bag decision — it's a logistics decision. Once load-in closes, no vehicles can access selling areas at any venue. A Costco run mid-day isn't possible. An outside supplier can't get to you either. Our centralized program is the only system that guarantees ice is at your cart when you need it — including midday reorders on match days when demand spikes. The $10/bag pre-order price reflects professional event-grade supply, guaranteed delivery, and on-site distribution. That's a different product than a Costco bag in a trunk.
What if I already have a relationship with an ice supplier I trust?
We respect that. But individual supplier relationships create a logistics conflict our venues cannot accommodate — multiple delivery trucks, uncoordinated arrival times, and no post-load-in access. The centralized program exists because the venue structure requires it, not because we want to replace your supplier. For future activations outside this event, your relationship is yours to keep.
Is this in my original merchant agreement?
The centralized supply program is established operational policy under your merchant agreement's operational compliance clause. This addendum is the formal communication of how it works. If you have questions about how this applies to your specific agreement, email vendors@welcometoatlexperience.com.
I don't sell cold beverages. Am I still required to participate?
If you genuinely have no use for ice — no cold beverages, no food prep requiring cold holding, no staff hydration needs — you are not required to place an order. The program is mandatory in the sense that if you need ice, it must come from us. If you truly don't need any, you don't need to order. When in doubt, email us and we'll help you assess.
What exactly am I paying for beyond the ice itself?
Your $10/bag covers: food-grade ice supply, morning delivery to your venue before load-in, central staging and distribution, an on-site Logistics Lead who manages your order, and midday reorder availability. You're also benefiting from the refrigerated storage truck at your venue — which keeps your product cold all day and reduces how much service ice you actually need. The ice program and the storage program work together. Separately, either would cost more.
What if I pre-order bags and don't use all of them?
Pre-orders are non-refundable once confirmed. This is why we encourage you to estimate carefully — use the planning guide in Section 02 as your baseline. That said, unused ice isn't worthless. It can be used for staff hydration, end-of-day cleanup, or held in your cooler for the next selling day if you're a multi-day merchant. Ice you ordered is ice you own for the day.
Can I share a pre-order with the vendor next to me to split the minimum?
Yes — with one condition. One merchant must be the named order holder and that merchant's confirmation is the one the Logistics Lead references at pickup. You can split however you like between yourselves, but the order is in one name and distributed as one pickup. Coordinate with your neighbor before submitting.
How do I pay for ice? Is it charged through Square or separately?
Ice is billed separately from your Square sales. Payment is collected through the pre-order form — card on file at time of order. Midday reorders are charged at time of pickup through the Logistics Lead. Ice charges do not run through the event Square POS and do not affect your daily sales reconciliation.
What is the exact pre-order deadline — 48 hours before what, specifically?
48 hours before your selling day's load-in window opens. For example: if your load-in starts at 7AM on Monday, your pre-order must be submitted by 7AM on Saturday. We recommend submitting even earlier — the evening before the 48-hour mark — so you have time to adjust if something is missed. You will receive a confirmation email within 2 hours of submitting. If you don't see it, check spam and then contact us.
Can I change my pre-order quantity after I submit?
Changes are accepted up to 24 hours before your selling day. Inside 24 hours, your order is locked — it has already been factored into the morning delivery staging. To request a change, email vendors@welcometoatlexperience.com with your order confirmation number and the updated quantity.
Can I pre-order for multiple selling days at once?
Yes — and we encourage it. If you know your schedule, submit separate pre-orders for each selling day in advance. Each order is tied to a specific date and venue. Multi-day pre-orders help us plan supply across the full activation and may make you eligible for priority fulfillment on reorder requests.
What happens if I miss the pre-order deadline?
Late orders go on a waitlist and are filled only if excess supply is available after confirmed pre-orders are fulfilled. Do not count on this. If you miss the deadline, submit immediately and email vendors@welcometoatlexperience.com to flag it. We will do our best but cannot guarantee same-day fulfillment. The 11AM reorder window is your next option on the day itself.
I've never done an event like this. How do I know how much to order?
Use the planning guide in Section 02 as your baseline, then add Atlanta summer heat as a multiplier. A standard cooler loses 25–30% more ice per hour at 90°F than at 75°F. On your first selling day, order at the higher end of your estimated range — you can adjust downward on subsequent days based on what you actually used. It is much better to have 20 lbs of leftover ice than to run out at the post-match rush.
Should I order more on match days vs. pre-match days?
Yes — consistently. Match days run longer, draw larger crowds, and generate 30–40% more transaction volume than pre-match days. Post-match rush — the 90 minutes after the final whistle — is your highest-revenue window and your highest ice consumption window simultaneously. Add at least 2 bags to your match day pre-order compared to your pre-match baseline. And submit your reorder by 11AM so you have backup staged before kickoff.
I sold out early — do I still get charged for ice I pre-ordered but didn't pick up?
Yes. Pre-orders are charged at time of confirmation, not at pickup. If you sell out early and close your stand, your ice order has already been staged for you. Pre-orders are non-refundable. This is another reason to estimate carefully — and to note that selling out is a good problem that means you likely needed more inventory, not less ice.
Can I store ice overnight in the refrigerated truck for my next selling day?
No. The refrigerated truck is for product storage — it is not an ice storage facility. Bags of ice left overnight will partially melt and refreeze into unusable blocks. Order fresh ice for each selling day through the pre-order form. Multi-day merchants should submit a separate pre-order for each date.
Does someone bring ice to my cart or do I carry it myself?
You carry it from the staging area to your cart. The Logistics Lead distributes from the central staging point — they do not deliver to individual carts. Plan for this: a 20 lb bag is manageable by one person; 6 bags (120 lbs) requires two trips or a hand truck. Bring a small cart or dolly if you're ordering heavy. The staging areas are close to selling zones at all three venues — this is a short carry, not a long haul.
What time will my ice be available on the morning of my selling day?
Ice is staged and available from the start of your load-in window. The Logistics Lead is at the staging area when load-in opens. Do not arrive expecting ice before load-in begins — it will not be there yet. If you need ice first thing and your team splits up on arrival, designate one person to go directly to the staging area while the rest begin cart setup.
What if my order count is wrong when I pick up?
Resolve it at the staging area before you leave with your ice — not later. The Logistics Lead has your confirmed order on file. If there is a discrepancy, they can verify and correct it on the spot. Disputes raised after you leave the staging area are harder to resolve and cannot be guaranteed. Count your bags at pickup. Always.
What if I need ice urgently after the 11AM reorder cutoff?
On match days, a small emergency reserve is held at each venue for genuine supply emergencies — $13/bag, accessed through the Logistics Lead. On pre-match days, emergency reserve is limited and not guaranteed. The best protection against post-cutoff emergencies is ordering aggressively on your pre-order. If you are consistently running out before the reorder cutoff, increase your baseline pre-order quantity for future selling days.
My product is already in the refrigerated truck. Why do I still need to buy ice?
The refrigerated truck solves your storage problem — keeping product at temperature between restocks. Ice solves your service problem — cocktails, cups, coolers at your cart where you're actually selling. These are two separate needs. Many vendors with full refrigerated storage access still need 3–5 bags of service ice per day. Think of the truck as your back-of-house and ice as your front-of-house.
What temperature is the refrigerated storage maintained at?
The refrigerated truck maintains product at 38–41°F — within the required cold-hold range of ≤41°F for food safety compliance. This is confirmed by your on-site Logistics Lead at the start of each selling day. If you observe a temperature outside this range at any point, report it to the Logistics Lead immediately — do not assume product is safe.
Can I bring my own cooler to supplement what I pick up from the truck?
Yes — coolers at your stand are standard practice and expected for most F&B and beverage merchants. Your stand cooler is where you hold product during service; you restock it from the refrigerated truck as needed throughout the day. Ice from the centralized program goes into that cooler. This is the intended workflow.
Section 05

Submit Your Pre-Order

Complete the form below for each selling day you need ice. Our team will generate a Square Invoice to the email you provide — your order is not confirmed until that invoice is paid.

One Submission Covers All Your Selling Days

Select every date you need ice below and set your bag quantity for each day individually. Your team will receive one Square Invoice covering your full order.

Your Square Invoice goes to this address. Double-check it before submitting.
Check each day you need ice. A bag quantity selector will appear for each selected day. Not sure how many bags? See the planning guide in Section 02.
Match 1 — Spain vs. Cabo Verde
Match 2 — Czechia vs. South Africa
Match 3 — Spain vs. Saudi Arabia
Match 4 — Morocco vs. Haiti
Match 5 — Congo DR vs. Uzbekistan
Match 6 — Round of 32
Match 7 — Round of 16
Match 8 — Semifinal

You will receive a Square Invoice at the email you provided within 2 hours of submission.
Your order is not on the fulfillment list until that invoice is paid.

Section 06

What Happens Next

After you submit the form above, here is exactly what to expect.

  • 01

    You Receive a Square Invoice Within 2 Hours

    Our team generates a Square Invoice to the email you provided. It will show your venue, selling day, bag quantity, and total. Review it carefully — if anything is wrong, reply immediately so we can correct it before the order is locked.

  • 02

    Pay the Invoice to Confirm Required

    Click the payment link in your Square Invoice and pay by card. This is the only step that confirms your order. Submitting the form above without paying the invoice does not reserve ice for you.

  • 03

    Square Sends You a Receipt Your Confirmation

    Once paid, Square automatically sends a payment receipt to your email. Save it — this is your order confirmation. Your business name and order details will be on the Logistics Lead's fulfillment list at your venue on your selling day.

  • 04

    Pick Up Your Ice During Load-In Selling Day Morning

    Bring your Square receipt (digital or printed) to the ice staging area at your venue. The Logistics Lead will have your order on file. Count your bags at pickup before you leave the staging area.

Questions About This Program

Email vendors@welcometoatlexperience.com with subject line "Ice Program — [Your Business Name]". Include your venue, selling days, and specific question. We respond within one business day.