The Atlanta Braves were crowned World Series champions this week, and Delaware North played a key role in providing championship-caliber hospitality for the team at Truist Park in Atlanta throughout the entire Major League Baseball postseason. Games 3, 4 and 5 of the World Series were hosted at Truist Park, and Delaware North’s team was ready for the throngs of fans that packed the ballpark and its adjacent entertainment district, The Battery Atlanta.
Led by Fattar Thomas, general manager for Delaware North at Truist Park, and Pete Smithing, assistant general manager, Delaware North covered all the bases in and around the ballpark. In addition to seamlessly handling the higher volumes at its regular operations at concession stands, suites, premium club areas and catering, Delaware North’s team hosted pre- and post-game parties for the Braves, their VIP guests, corporate partners and special guests, which included celebrities, politicians and MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred.
“The Braves made us all proud, but I’m most proud of great job that our Delaware North associates – both here in Atlanta and those who joined from many of our other locations across the country – did to provide Braves fans with outstanding service and a broad selection of incredibly delicious food,” said Thomas. “From the concessions to the clubs and suites, we certainly hit it out of the park.”
Executive Chef Rory Bancroft and his culinary team developed a menu of limited-time specialty items for the World Series games played at Truist Park. The Southern-inspired items included the Gold Glove Chicken Sandwich (pickle-brined and fried golden crispy chicken, topped with truffle aioli and whole grain mustard cheddar); Oysters and Pearls Po’Boy (Southern-fried oysters, remoulade and balsamic pearls); Full Count Pastrami Sandwich (smoked pastrami, Coca-Cola mustard glaze, house-fried kettle chips, topped with whole grain mustard cheddar cheese and served on an Italian baguette); and the BB Chili Cheese Dog (footlong all-beef hot dog wrapped in smoked bacon, topped with brisket chili and Southwestern queso Amarillo).
The World Series was supported by more than 50 support managers and chefs from 10 different units across Delaware North: Progressive Field (Cleveland), Great American Ball Park (Cincinnati), Busch Stadium (St. Louis), American Family Field (Milwaukee), Amalie Arena (Tampa Bay), Guaranteed Rate Field (Chicago), Target Field (Minneapolis), Lambeau Field (Green Bay) and Comerica Park (Detroit). Additional support of 150 hourly associates and non-profit organization volunteers traveled in from other Delaware North operations as well. A team from Busch Stadium was able to fill a bus and arrive in Atlanta on less than two days’ notice.
In The Battery, Delaware North extended hours at several of its restaurants — Terrapin Tap Room, H&F Burger and Good Game Restaurant & Bar — to accommodate the large crowds and hosted watch parties for Games 1, 2 and 6, which were played in Houston. Additionally, the team tripled the number of portables, bars and beverage stations throughout The Battery to meet fan demand.
“For Sportservice, the 2021 MLB postseason was a great success. Both in terms of revenue and the extremely positive impression we made on the fans, media and our client, and I want to thank each and every one of you for your extra efforts to accomplish this,” added Shawn Mattox, vice president of operations for Sportservice. “I appreciate the long hours everyone put in and the days away from home our traveling managers and chefs spent in Atlanta to assist our team.”
Throughout the three home games at Truist Park during the series, Delaware North’s team served:
- 162,946 beers
- 43,126 sodas
- 36,393 hot dogs
- 33,187 bottled waters
- 18,313 burgers
- 10,330 pretzels
- 6,000 beer bats