Ninety-Year Industry Veteran, Sportservice, Will Provide Enhanced Food Service and Retail Experience in Minnesota’s New Ballpark, Scheduled to Open in April 2010
MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Twins and Delaware North Companies Sportservice — one of the nation’s leading food, beverage and retail management companies — today announced an eight-year partnership that will provide food, beverage and retail merchandise services for the new Twins ballpark, which is currently under construction in downtown Minneapolis and is scheduled to open in the spring of 2010.
Under the terms of the agreement, Sportservice, the nation’s first sports concessionaire, will be the exclusive concessionaire, managing all concessions, gourmet catering and fine dining operations as well as retail stores and kiosks within the 40,000-seat ballpark. The Twins and Sportservice already have begun to collaborate on the outfitting and design of the concession and club areas as well as the retail space for Minnesota’s new ballpark. Beyond the ballpark, the agreement also calls for Sportservice to manage operations of the Twins Pro Shop retail outlets located throughout Twins Territory.
“We are excited about our new partnership with Delaware North Companies Sportservice and look forward to enhancing our fans’ experience with the best food and beverage options in Major League Baseball,” said Twins President Dave St. Peter. “We know how integral food is to the overall game day experience, and we look forward to working closely with Sportservice to bring fans not only affordable, traditional ballpark fare, but also new signature items, which will be revealed as we get closer to opening the new ballpark.”
“Delaware North Companies is honored to join as a partner to the Minnesota Twins organization as outdoor baseball returns in 2010,” said Rick Abramson, president of Delaware North Companies Sportservice.
“We focus on enhancing the game-day experience one fan at a time, and we’re looking forward to providing fans with affordable menus infused with traditional favorites, gourmet fare, variety and foods that celebrate the local flair. Fans will be able to count on Delaware North Companies for the highest level of service and culinary excellence when they come to the new Twins ballpark,” Abramson said.
“Sportservice is excited about this opportunity to showcase for Twins fans the Delaware North Companies style that we’ve honed throughout our more than 75-year history of working in the Major Leagues,” said Rolf Baumann, corporate chef, Delaware North Companies Sportservice. “From the sizzle of onions and peppers on the grill, to the aroma of freshly popped popcorn and fresh roasted peanuts, to the first bite of a traditional ballpark hot dog, the Delaware North team plans to bring traditional and innovative fare to Twins Territory that will truly enhance the fan experience.”
Although new to the Twin Cities market, Sportservice is a global leader in food, beverage and retail management. Founded in 1915, the company provides concessions, gourmet catering and fine dining operations at more than 50 professional sporting venues worldwide, including those with Major League Baseball, the National Football League, and the National Hockey League, as well as at entertainment complexes and convention centers across the United States and Canada. Sportservice’s other Major League Baseball partners are the Chicago White Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, Detroit Tigers, Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Brewers, Los Angeles Dodgers, Cleveland Indians, San Diego Padres and Texas Rangers
Delaware North Companies is one of the world’s leading hospitality and food service providers. In addition to Sportservice, its family of companies includes Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts, Delaware North Companies Gaming & Entertainment, Delaware North Companies Travel Hospitality Services, Delaware North Companies International and Delaware North Companies Boston, owner of TD Banknorth Garden. Delaware North Companies is one of the largest privately held companies in the United States, with revenues exceeding $2 billion annually and 40,000 associates serving half a billion customers in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. For more information, visit www.DelawareNorth.com.
The Twins ballpark will be located in the North Loop neighborhood and historic Warehouse District of downtown Minneapolis. The process of site clearing at the new ballpark site began May 15, 2007. Actual construction began in August 2007. The ballpark is slated for completion prior to Opening Day 2010 and the cost of construction is $412 million. The Twins Ballpark Webcam provides fans the opportunity to view progress on the construction of the new downtown Minneapolis ballpark through completion in the spring of 2010. For more information on the ballpark and to view the Webcam, visit www.twinsbaseball.com/newballpark.