College Station -- Chancellor John Sharp and Texas A&M University Interim President Mark Hussey today announced a groundbreaking contract with Levy Restaurants to oversee food and hospitality operations in all athletic facilities, including Kyle Field, Blue Bell Park and Reed Arena. The athletic facilities were excluded from the prior agreement with Compass USA and Texas A&M to cover other campus food service.
“Levy’s creativity and unmatched expertise in the sports and entertainment world will have a dramatic impact on our fans and the community as a whole,” said Dr. Hussey. “Their passion for building relationships with local partners and commitment to creating a dynamic experience will undoubtedly help us set a new standard in collegiate sports.”
“We love the rich tradition of Texas A&M and share their uncompromising pursuit of excellence,” said Levy Restaurants President and CEO, Andy Lansing. “We are thrilled to create an authentic experience that honors the spirit of the 12th Man and to welcome each and every guest with great food and warm hospitality.”
Leveraging a broad spectrum of culinary, design and analytics resources, Levy will help inform the Kyle Field redevelopment project with a priority on expanding dining options, enhancing menus and elevating hospitality for all guests.
This unique 12 year deal signals a sustained investment in the future, including $1.75mm in capital investment and over $18mm in bonuses and advance commissions. It is believed to be the largest and best athletic facility agreement in the US collegiate market.
“Our goal is to create a unique Aggie game day environment that welcomes fans with a best in class experience,” said Chancellor Sharp. “Levy is the leader in creating game-changing food and hospitality and the perfect partner as we take the game day to the next level for our students, fans and visitors.”
Recognized as one of the most critically acclaimed restaurant companies in the country, Levy is the leader in premium sports and entertainment dining. The company’s diverse portfolio includes award-winning restaurants such as Spiaggia in Chicago and premiere professional sports and entertainment venues around the country, including Wrigley Field in Chicago, STAPLES Center in Los Angeles and AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami.
About Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University is one of the largest institutions of higher learning in the nation, with a record enrollment of more than 58,000 students, including over 10,000 studying at the graduate level. Its 4,259-member faculty is nationally and internationally renowned, with winners of the Nobel Prize and other prestigious awards among its ranks.
As one of the world’s leading research institutions, Texas A&M is in the vanguard in making significant contributions to the storehouse of knowledge, including that of science and technology. Research conducted at Texas A&M represents total annual expenditures of more than $820 million.
Texas A&M is one of a select few institutions to hold triple federal designation as a land-, sea- and space-grant university. It was the first public institution of higher learning established in Texas, opening for classes on Oct. 4, 1876.
About the A&M System
The A&M System is one of the largest systems of higher education in the nation, with a budget of $3.8 billion. Through a statewide network of 11 universities, seven state agencies, two service units and a comprehensive health science center, the A&M System educates more than 131,000 students and makes more than 22 million additional educational contacts through service and outreach programs each year. Externally funded research expenditures exceed $820 million and help drive the state’s economy.
About Levy Restaurants
Levy Restaurants is recognized as one of America’s fastest growing and most critically acclaimed restaurant companies, and is the leader in premium sports and entertainment dining. Levy was named one of the 10 most innovative companies in sports in the world by Fast Company magazine.
The company’s diverse portfolio includes award-winning restaurants such as James Beard Award-winning Spiaggia in Chicago, Fulton’s Crab House, Portobello and Wolfgang Puck Grand Café at Walt Disney World Resort, renowned sports and entertainment venues like Wrigley Field in Chicago, Churchill Downs in Louisville, STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, and American Airlines Arena in Miami, and events including the Super Bowl, World Series, U. S. Open, Kentucky Derby, NHL, MLB and NBA All-Star Games and the GRAMMY® Awards.
For details, visit www.levyrestaurants.com.
Contact: Shane Hinckley, (979) 485-2217, shane.hinckley@tamu.edu
