Nick Nicora

Nick Nicora

 

Nick began his career in the entertainment industry as a production manager for Bill Graham Enterprises, one of the largest concert promoters in the country in the 1970’s. Nick entered the food services industry when he built a full-service food and event division for Bill Graham Enterprises at the time . “The food service industry is very similar to the entertainment business," shared Nick, adding, “Our job is to create memorable experiences for our guests and to do so with flair and excitement.”

In 1988, Nick started a new company, FanFare Enterprises. FanFare specialized in family entertainment venues, including fairgrounds, and was successful in securing several long-term master concessions contracts at the OC Fair, LA County Fair, Alameda County Fair, and California State Fair, to name a few. FanFare quickly became the largest fair food and beverage operator in the State of California. FanFare also operated the food and beverage concessions at UC Berkeley and Sears Point International Raceway.

In his capacity as President and Co-Founder of FanFare, “I was responsible for new business development, client relations, and the operations of all FanFare's venues throughout California and Nevada.” Nick continued, “I served as President until 2001, when FanFare merged with Ovations, and is now known today as OVG.”

Nick has also served as a consultant for a wide array of organizations and special events, stating, “I believe my enthusiasm and creative energy has endeared me to clients across all sectors of the industry.” He went on to say, "I truly believe that when I am involved with a venue, we become their partner, and as such, we need to be constantly striving to bring new ideas to them with the goal of increasing customer satisfaction and excitement."

Nick has provided creative concept development for many Fair operations and unveiled such concepts as the Blues and Brews, Sliders Sports Bars, Hussong’s Cantinas, and Honky-tonk Country Saloons which are breaking sales records at every location into which they were introduced. Nick inherited a passion for fresh food from his family, "Food is simply the part of my identity, Nick’s desire to make people happy by consistently delivering good “great” food and a good “memorable” time harkens back to his earliest childhood memories. Nick proclaimed, “Indeed, one might say that being a Nicora is synonymous with being a good host!” as he concluded, “On my days off, I practice the most treasured tradition of my Italian family’s heritage; bringing together food, family, and friends.”