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More on DNC Sportservice

Here are some additional news & notes regarding the Packers’ selection of Delaware North Companies Sportservice as the new food and beverage provider for Lambeau Field.

–Packers Vice President of Sales and Marketing Tim Connolly said that companies began “courting” the Packers as long as 18 months ago with the knowledge that the organization’s contract with Levy Restaurants was expiring in 2012. During the course of the formal search process, the Packers received eight fully detailed proposals, narrowed it to four finalists and ultimately chose DNC Sportservice.

“At the end of the day, they clearly stood out to us,” Connolly said. “They’re all you could ask for in a food and beverage provider.”

Connolly noted that two of Sportservice’s other NFL contracts made him take note. One is the deal with MetLife Stadium, home of the Giants and Jets, and Sportservice has shown the ability to keep both stadium clients happy simultaneously. The other is with the Carolina Panthers, whose owner, Jerry Richardson, made his fortune in the food industry and chose DNC Sportservice when the Panthers went from in-house food service to an outside vendor.

“That made an impression on all of us,” Connolly said.

–On a personal note, Sportservice President Rick Abramson, who in his youth sold concessions at Milwaukee County Stadium during Packers games, said he was “born a Packer fan” and wrote his first book report in school on Jerry Kramer’s classic, “Instant Replay.”

Abramson also said Sportservice is working in conjunction with the Packers on a new point-of-service system to improve the speed of concessions service during games.

–Packers Director of Stadium Services Jennifer Ark said concession prices, as usual, won’t be set until close to the start of the season. The Packers will collaborate with Sportservice to set the prices.

DNC Sportservice’s contract officially begins July 1.