As professional and college football fans again arrive in droves to cheer on their favorite teams, foodservice workers are prepared to handle the thirst and appetite of those who root on their weekend warriors. With the current economy in a lull, concessionaires at NFL stadiums this season have been forced to be creative and try new things to try to spur sales.
Phil Noyes, president of MGR Food Services, which handles food and beverage at the Georgia Dome, the home of the Atlanta Falcons, noted the economy will be a major factor in how concessionaires in the NFL approach this season. "Since the economy is trending downward, I think this may be only a fair year from a revenue perspective," Noyes said. "There will be pressure to provide even quicker and friendlier service and perhaps some price discounting or value added promotions."
Among the newer items and stands that are being introduced as the NFL season kicked off this year at the Georgia Dome, according to Noyes, are hand-dipped ice cream stations, Cuban sandwiches, and soup stations with a local flair. The Georgia Dome is also offering larger beer sizes such as 24-ounce cans this season.
Todd Kimmell, general manager of concessions for Sodexho at the University of Washington's Husky Stadium is introducing sushi to the college and Seattle Seahawk fans this season.
This is a partial version of the complete story that appeared in the Fall 2001 issue of Concessionworks, the newsletter for NAC members.
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