re: Aramark sucks and will F up beer sales

I have some experience with major event concessions. Some things we all need to consider:

1) This is a huge contract involving multiple facilities and getting a new vendor would be a massive undertaking. Not saying it can't be done of course, but it's not something that can be done quickly. Woodward doesn't seem like the guy who acts blindly. He probably wants to see an entire year with his eyes. think about all the vendor-supplied equipment to replace/swap out, etc. These things don't happen overnight.

2) Aramark contract already include liquor/beer sales. Aramark, as master concession, has full control over what is actually sold in the stadium, what subcontractors it brings in, etc. I'm sure LSU can and will offer concessions, and Aramark has to abide by any licensing restrictions LSU has (for example, LSU has a deal with Coke, so Aramark must honor that). But until there is an official beer provider for LSU, Aramark gets to choose what beer is sold.

3) Given the "must be in a cup" rule from the SEC, and given the current facility restrictions, I think what Aramark has proposed is the best option available. Where it will fail is that I don't believe Aramark will be able to keep up. It will be fine at the start of the game, but as supplies diminish in each stand, they won't be able to get them replenished timely.

4) The replenishment issue is a huge one. Aramark (and other companies) don't want to push more product to stands than they have to. It's a security and spoilage issue for them. For example, hot dogs. If they cook hot dogs in groups of 80, and they think they will only sell 25 more... they won't bring more to sell. They would rather lose the 25 sales and keep the 80 hot dogs frozen until next game, then cook 80, sell 25, and have to throw 55 away.

With non-perishable items, they don't want to bring more than they absolutely have to, because they don't want to have to leave too much product sitting there (security issue) or have to lug it back to storage after the game.

4) Yes, these stands are often manned by low-wage laborers. Some, yes, are lazy and inefficent. But most of them get just as frustrated as the fans do. The real problem is in the stand management, who can't get the product needed to the stand.

I would love to see LSU bring this back in-house and use more volunteer / non profit groups. But that takes time.