The momentum behind all-electric kitchens grows, but it’s no simple switch.

Welcome to the new era of stadium — er, sports venue — foodservice.

The Los Angeles headquarters for the National Football League resides in a $5 billion, 298-acre parkland known as The District at Hollywood Park in Inglewood, Calif. The District includes world-class sports and performance venues, office, retail and residential spaces. The centerpiece of The District is SoFi Stadium, home of the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams and Chargers.

Fans attending Pittsburgh Penguins hockey games at PPG Paints Arena can now purchase food and drink items from their phones and pickup their orders via food locker systems. Contract feeder Aramark rolled out the self-service concept in late February in PPG Paints Arena.

Frictionless service and market-style models are fast becoming concession norms. 

Oklahoma City welcomed a new convention center in January 2021, nine years after design began. The $288 million project was funded by the Metropolitan Area Projects Plan 3 (MAPS 3) capital improvement program in Oklahoma City. MAPS 3 uses a one-cent, limited-term sales tax to pay for debt-free projects.

This week marks the official start of the Major League Baseball season. And this year while fans hope players from their favorite teams make hard contact with the baseball, they will also cheer for something contactless. This is in reference, of course, to the contactless service throughout ballparks aimed at minimizing the risk of spreading COVID-19.

Golden Chick’s robust strategy for the brand includes a goal to have 500 Golden Chick units open by 2030. That would more than double the size of this quick-service chain, which currently operates 187 stores serving its signature fried chicken.

Stadium food as destination dining? That is not a far-fetched notion. Selection, food quality, menu flexibility and customer service have become focal points for stadium foodservice operators. Many stadium facilities already have become food destinations, according to Los Angeles-based IBISWorld. Demand for food and beverages in this segment grew between 2014 and 2019, along with the steady increase in attendance at sports and other entertainment events.