The Packers "have agreed to a five-year deal with Delaware North Sportservice to take over concessions and premium dining" at Lambeau Field, according to Don Muret of SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL. The Packers become Sportservice’s seventh NFL client, and "mark a big victory for the concessionaire, which was one of 10 food vendors that expressed interest in the contract." Sportservice replaces Chicago-based Levy Restaurants, which "had operated the stadium’s foodservice since 2002." Sportservice "has a strong presence in Wisconsin;" the company has been the Brewers’ food provider since '70. The deal with the Packers coincides with a new $143M expansion project in the south end zone at Lambeau Field covering 6,600 new seats (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 3/5 issue). In Green Bay, Richard Ryman notes the choice of concessionaire is of "local importance beyond food for the fans." The concession stands at Lambeau are "staffed by local nonprofit groups -- churches, service clubs, schools -- which use the games and special events as fundraisers." Those groups "work for the concessionaire" (GREEN BAY PRESS-GAZETTE, 3/7).
