The sports landscape is changing, and venues around the country are looking for ways to engage with fans in a highly competitive entertainment market. One of the best ways to do this is through creating customized experiences for a wide range of fans, from young professionals to families, and looking at the different stadium experience needs of each group. Food is, not surprisingly, one of the most important components of this strategy.
Sporting events around the U.S. are now offering much more than mere peanuts and Cracker Jacks to keep hungry fans happy. At the Quicken Loans Arena, a test kitchen spotlights Cleveland chefs from local food trucks and restaurants while also grilling up the usual burgers and hot dogs along its concourses.
Kevin Kearney, Aramark’s District Manager specializing in food service at the Q, spoke to our sports practice area leader at Gensler, Ryan Sickman, to discuss why stadium concessions are an integral part of the game-going experience and how the redesign of the Q in favor of more social spaces with food accessibility is enhancing the community connection of fans with the arena.
