Levy takes over food and beverage at Soldier Field
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
The new self-checkout kiosks at Soldier Field. Photo: Justin Kaufmann/Axios
The Bears have announced a new food and beverage partner, and it's a familiar name to Chicago sports fans.
Why it matters: Soldier Field concessions have been plagued with mediocre options and long lines for years. The concessions were run by Aramark, a full-service food company that also previously provided janitorial services for CPS.
Driving the news: Levy, the company that provides concessions at Wrigley Field, United Center and Guaranteed Rate Field, has signed a 10-year contract to bring the stadium into the modern era.
Zoom in: The deal also includes partnerships with Chicago restaurant brands like Boka, which will introduce its acclaimed GG's Chicken to Bears fans.
- Plus, throughout the stadium, fans can find a new lineup of exclusive food items, including the Odunze Dog and the Bear Claw pretzel.
The intrigue: Levy is putting an emphasis on speed. The Bears have added more than 60 automated self-checkout stations, six new grab-and-go speed lanes, and self-service kiosks in the United Club.
- The team has also added 50% more points of sale in the 400 level to provide more access to food and beverage.
- The self-checkout lanes will use AI-driven cameras to identify products without customers having to scan them.
What they're saying: "We liked that they [Levy] were a local institution, because we knew that we would get the attention that our stadium deserves," Karen Murphy, chief operating officer of the Chicago Bears, tells Axios.
Yes, but: The 100-year-old Soldier Field still has its limitations.
- The row of concession stands and specific restaurant and bar areas are limited due to the structure.
- "We've always monitored transaction times, so even though the building is older, how can we push that transaction time?" Murphy tells Axios. "We are excited to try out the self-checkout lanes and automation."
Between the lines: The current structural limitations and the desire for an enhanced fan experience are big reasons why the Bears are trying to build a new stadium within the next few years.
Zoom out: With this deal, Levy locks down the last big Chicago stadium. The company provides food and beverage services for 112 professional sports teams across the country.
- Larry Levy started his business with catering for the White Sox at Comiskey Park in the early '80s. Levy's signature items include Chicago-style concession stand choices like pizza and Italian beef sandwiches and the famous dessert cart in the suites.
- Levy Restaurants also owns and operates Jake Melnick's Corner Tap.
The bottom line: Any improvement to the concessions at Soldier Field is a plus. But until the Bears lock down a new stadium, the question will be how much improvement should fans expect.