Delaware North Sportservice has opened two new markets as part of its concessions operations at Comerica Park, home of Major League Baseball’s Detroit Tigers. The market-style outlets offer a mix of hot, fresh-prepared food items as well as grab-and-go options and use a streamlined self-checkout system.
“We debuted the markets in time for Opening Day and fans have responded really well to them,” said Sean Pattwell, operations manager for Delaware North at Comerica Park. “It might be a bit different than the traditional ‘concession stand’ experience, but they love the convenience, flexibility and ease of the market. They can satisfy their snack needs and get back to their seats pretty quickly to continue watching the game.”
The markets — branded as Miller Lite Market and Blue Moon Bistro — offer a variety of domestic and craft beers, packaged snacks, soda, candy, and retail items. Each market also features hot, ready-made food items such as stuffed gyros and shawarma, chicken shawarma nachos, Delaware North’s proprietary Fat Rooster chicken sandwich, hand-crafted cheeseburgers and fried chicken poutine.
The markets at Comerica Park are the latest examples of a concept that Delaware North has implemented at sports venues across the country, including Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisc.; KeyBank Center in Buffalo, N.Y.; and the company-owned-and-operated TD Garden in Boston.
“These markets are really a glimpse into the future of concessions at stadiums and beyond,” said Sal Mendola, brands and concepts development manager for Delaware North. “We continue to see our Sportservice clients looking to add them into their venues, and we’ve also seen great traction with them enterprise-wide as well.”
Delaware North’s travel division opened its proprietary The Market on Elmwood concept at Buffalo Niagara International Airport last summer and has also collaborated on local-market concepts at Denver International Airport and Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport.