Changes keep Lambeau Field concessions fresh
GREEN BAY - Two new specialty concessions stands at Lambeau Field fared well during the preseason and Saturday's Wisconsin-LSU game.
"It's nice to have more variety. Fans have been responding well to that," said Eric Sampson, director of operations for Delaware North Sportservice, the Green Bay Packers' food service provider at Lambeau Field.
The unique offerings include The Travel Wisconsin Supper Club concession stand and the bacon-themed Patrick Cudahy Pack House food stand.
The Travel Wisconsin Supper Club stand is modeled after one opened in the Kohl Center in Madison. Its menu includes pot roast sandwiches, booyah, traditional pasties, cheese curds and Friday fish fry, as well as beer and brandy old-fashioneds sweet.
The Pack House features bacon-centered recipes, such as “The Pig Skin,” a baked potato wrapped in bacon and covered in chili, cheddar cheese, sour cream and chives. The menu also includes bacon-crusted cheese curds and a bacon burger that features a bacon bun, bacon-stuffed burger and bacon cheese spread, topped with bacon.
"The Pigskin's been doing very well," Sampson said. "We were thinking about it being more popular when it gets colder, but it performed way better (earlier) than anticipated."
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Changes are made to concession stand menus annually to keep it interesting for the fans and to meet current trends. Sampson said Delaware North is focusing on more desserts and side items, such as its cheesecake cone, cheesy breadsticks and bacon-fried cheese curds.
"Quality matters more than brute size," he said.
Like other food providers in the Green Bay area, staffing is a challenge. Delaware North recently raised the pay for front line culinary staff, which helped in recruiting, Sampson said.
Still, the stadium on game days relies on nonprofit groups to operate the majority of its concessions stands. Lambeau Field is one of a few stadiums to rely so heavily on nonprofit groups.
"The only NFL building that compares that I know of is the Carolina Panthers' (Bank America Stadium)," Sampson said.
Delaware North is trying to increase compensation for nonprofit groups by improving menus and increasing efficiency, he said.
"As sales increase, so do group donations," he said. "Last year we made $1.1 million in donations. That's may be the most ever. It is the highest since we've been here."
Nonprofit groups interested in working at Lambeau Field can contact Delaware North at GreenBayNPO@DelawareNorth.com.
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