The Major League Baseball (MLB) team Athletics (also known as the ‘A’s’) recently announced a long-term partnership for food and beverage (F&B) offerings with the leading hospitality provider Aramark Sports + Entertainment for the team’s new ballpark in Las Vegas (US).
The ‘A’s’ ballpark is scheduled to open in 2028.
‘aramark’ stated that as part of the collaboration Aramark has brought on the acclaimed American restaurateur and author of the ‘The New York Times Bestseller’, ‘Unreasonable Hospitality’, Will Guidara, as a strategic partner to help curate the ballpark’s culinary and hospitality vision.
The Athletics (often referred to as the ‘A’s’) are an American professional baseball team based in West Sacramento, California (US). The Athletics compete in the Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West Division. The team is playing its home games at the Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento for the 2025-2027 seasons before they move to the New Las Vegas Stadium in Paradise, Nevada.
The 14,014-capacity Sutter Health Park is a ballpark in West Sacramento, California (US) directly adjacent to downtown Sacramento. It is the home of the Minor League Baseball (MiLB) team Sacramento River Cats of the Pacific Coast League (a MiLB league) and the temporary abode of the Major League Baseball (MLB) team Athletics.
The 33,000-capacity New Las Vegas Stadium is a fixed-roof ballpark under construction on the site of the former Tropicana Las Vegas on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada (US). It will be the home stadium of the Athletics of Major League Baseball (MLB) starting in 2028 after they move from Oakland, California.
Philadelphia (US)-based the food company Aramark serves the world’s leading educational institutions, the Fortune 500 companies, the world champion sports teams, the prominent healthcare providers, the iconic destinations and the cultural attractions in 16 countries around the world with food and facilities management.
Philadelphia (US)-based the Aramark Sports + Entertainment serves more than 150 award-winning food and beverage (F&B) and retail programs in the premier professional and collegiate stadiums and arenas along with the convention centers, cultural attractions, performance venues, and unique entertainment destinations across North America.
‘The New York Times Best Seller List’ is widely considered the pre-eminent list of best-selling books in the United States.
The American restaurateur Will Guidara’s bestseller ‘Unreasonable Hospitality’ is about how to create extraordinary customer experiences by consistently going above and beyond expectations, fostering a deeply personal and empathetic connection with the people rather than simply providing good service.
Affirmed Marc Badain, ‘A’s’ President, “The above partnership reflects our belief that great hospitality should be at the heart of the fan experience. With Aramark’s culinary expertise and Will’s visionary approach we’re not just building a ballpark, we’re creating a destination that captures the creativity and energy of the Las Vegas community.”
Aramark, a global leader in food and beverage (F&B) services, will oversee all aspects of hospitality at the ‘A’s’ new ballpark, from general concessions to premium dining. With decades of experience operating in the major league venues Aramark is recognized for its operational excellence, culinary and hospitality innovation and ability to deliver high-quality, scalable service tailored to the diverse audiences. Its role in this partnership goes beyond day-to-day operations, contributing strategic insight and creative execution to deliver a dynamic, guest-centered experience throughout the venue.
Averred Alison Birdwell, President and head honcho, Aramark Sports + Entertainment, “Our work together with the ‘A’s’ will be evolutionary in sporting event experiences. What we do in Las Vegas will be the gold standard for the industry moving forward.”
As a strategic partner, Will Guidara will help define the ballpark’s approach to service and culinary innovation by consulting on the creation of a hospitality brand, advising on food and beverage programming, supporting strategic partnerships, and elevating the guest experiences.
Enthused Guidara, “My team and I couldn’t be more excited to be partnering with Aramark and the ‘A’s’ on a project that’s about so much more than food. Together, we’re bringing intention, creativity and innovation not just to what we serve – but to how we serve it. From bold ideas to subtle touches we’re dreaming up ways to transform the stadium into a place where hospitality takes the lead and every moment feels just a little more magical.”
‘aramark’ further stated that best known for his book ‘Unreasonable Hospitality’, the former Co-Owner of the Best Restaurant in the World and as a Co-Producer on the Emmy Award-winning series ‘The Bear’, Guidara brings heart and creativity into every guest interaction. His radically personal approach to hospitality will bring a fresh perspective to the gameday atmosphere through a customized training program and service philosophy that ensures unforgettable moments for ballpark guests at every visit.
Beyond the baseball games, Aramark and Guidara will extend their hospitality approach to all events at the venue, from the concerts and the community gatherings to the private and corporate functions with the goal of delivering consistently memorable experience for every guest, no matter the occasion.
In addition to serving as the concessionaire Aramark will become a Minority Owner in the club. This long-term strategic investment deepens the collaboration and underscores a shared commitment to innovation, hospitality and building an iconic fan destination in Las Vegas.
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