From Trend to Culture, Elevating the Food Service Experience is Key to Striking Stadium Gold
THE SPORTS STADIUM FOOD SERVICE LANDSCAPE HAS EVOLVED TO PRIORITIZE A MORE ENGAGING FAN EXPERIENCE. HERE’S HOW WE ARE TAKING CULINARY, SERVICE, AND OPERATIONS TO THE NEXT LEVEL:
Stadium food service is now more diverse, creative, and daring. Stadiums are employing executive chefs, talented mixologists, and pastry artisans. They are leaning on new technologies to provide in-seat delivery and to optimize efficiency in the kitchen. Environments are driving convenience and social interaction. Cuisine is more locally inspired and often associated with upscale restaurants.
“You can still get hot dogs, fries, and beer, but we are elevating food and beverage throughout all concourse levels to create a more engaging, memorable experience for all fans, regardless of the ticket price,” says Luis Rivera, Founder of First Star Solutions, a stadium hospitality provider whose portfolio includes notable stadiums like T-Mobile Park in Seattle, Amway Center in Orlando, LoanDepot Park in Miami, and Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.
“We are always innovating and creating new ways to make the experience fresh, new, and better so that fans want to spend their time in the stadium on game day,” Luis added.
He're’s how First Star Solutions is prepared to help in 2023:
BRAND NAMES, LOCAL GOODS, AND UNIQUE OFFERINGS
Food is primary to our enjoyment. And we believe that good food should be available to all guests and fans. With a menu that blends fine dining concepts with sustainability and local culture, we elevate the concession experience and help to create a culinary delightful experience for sports and event-goers.
Taking traditional options like hamburgers, French fries, and chicken sandwiches and transforming them into something original and unique makes food just as exciting as the event itself. It’s something fans can look forward to.
The marriage of celebrity chefs with the quick-service model has evolved from being a trend to being part of the stadium culture. Stadiums and arenas are embracing local concepts and bringing local foodie culture to culinary offerings.
With a laser focus on supporting local businesses, we work to design menus for general concessions that look like something you would only find available in luxury suites. Plus, the ability to source locally and sustainably gives fans greater transparency.
We want fans to experience the unique culinary scene of the city. From local breweries to popular culinary flair, when you walk into a Seattle Mariners game for instance, you may see some unique options specific to Seattle that you won’t find in other cities.
MORE POWERFULLY EQUIPPED CONCESSIONS
Stadiums are being redesigned with the total fan experience in mind. Adding points of service and embracing mobility improves convenience and speed for fans, thus, resulting in higher sales.
Concession spaces are becoming more robust. Newer stadiums are no longer limited by infrastructure. High-powered kitchens with hoods, grills, and fryers improve the stadium’s ability to deliver culinary creativity and increase operational capacity. When we work with older stadiums, we incorporate ventless hoods to bring cooking capabilities to additional locations that may have otherwise been underutilized.
TECH TOOLS TO ENHANCE FOOD SERVICE
Technology allows us to get closer to our guests and it is quickly becoming the norm. With an ability to track fans through WiFi as well as fulfill orders through mobile, venues are relying more heavily on incorporating tech into the experience.
With mobile ordering platforms, we are better able to personalize the guest experience. Tech gives us valuable data and behavioral insights into fan behavior, therefore enabling us to forecast trends and flex when needed. The bonus is that it improves operational efficiency and safety by minimizing long concession lines, include experiences with fewer transactions, and offer more all-inclusive programs. It also gives greater insight into staffing needs by identifying locations with heavier traffic.
In addition to mobile apps, cashless kiosks give fans more options to self-order and then pick up their food and beverage at designated pick-up areas.
CLUB ACCESS
As fan behavior continues to evolve, we are seeing more and more people choosing to buy a lower-cost ticket but then access party decks and clubs around the stadium as opposed to staying in their seat for the entirety of a game. This tells us that people are excited about having a more social experience.
For example, right next to the Mariners bullpen in center field, The ‘Pen at T-Mobile Park is the perfect pre-game location. Gates open 2 and a half hours before first pitch and fans can enjoy tasty food choices from local celebrity chef, Ethan Stowell, and happy hour specials all season long.
It's a one-of-kind 9-inning party with happy-hour specials, a fire pit, and cocktail lounge and the perfect opportunity to elevate the fan experience.
CREATING THE ULTIMATE FAN EXPERIENCE
One of the best ways to begin the process of creating the ultimate fan experience is with a stadium tour. During a tour, one of our consultants will walk the stadium or arena and identify areas of opportunity within foodservice and operations and then come up with an action plan.
While there is no obligation to use our hospitality consulting services, our comprehensive view and unique approach to elevating the fan experience may be the solution you need to increase stadium efficiency and generate more revenue.
We are here as your partner to help with concept development, sponsorship activations, optimizing venue operations, and enhancing the fan experience.
To schedule a stadium tour, please contact us at 216-513-9495 to request more information.
To your success,
Luis Rivera, Founder, First Star Solutions
