Evanston and North Shore Favorites FAQs

The new Ryan Field invites neighborhood restaurants to operate pop-up stands throughout the stadium, offering fans the local dishes they already know and love alongside the big-game experience. For fans, it means enjoying a hometown favorite in the stadium. For local businesses, it means direct access to tens of thousands of guests.

Through a rigorous selection process, the program brings a diverse group of local purveyors into the building, curating a rotating lineup of standout concepts. In Ryan Field's inaugural year, it ensures that the food fans discover reflects the community that surrounds it. Levy evaluation and selection criteria include:

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Menu & Production

• Core menu items and production processes
• Equipment, tools, utensils, and layout requirements
• Cooking equipment requirements
• Cook/preparation time from start to finish
• On-site versus off-site preparation and delivery capabilities
• Distinctiveness and uniqueness of the concept

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Sourcing & Food Safety

• Primary product sources and vendors
• Food-safety measures during transportation and service
• Food-safety documentation and compliance processes
• Temperature management and product integrity
• Cleaning procedures and quality-control processes

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Team & Business Strength

• Staffing plans for extended homestands and events
• Labor requirements and staffing models
• Ownership involvement and project leadership
• Financial sustainability and working-capital capacity
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively
• Established reputation and local customer following

Contract terms are an 80% split of net sales for the vendor and a 20% split for the building. This is a credit-card-only property; no cash will be accepted.

• Event Participation: Vendors must be available for every new Ryan Field home football game and concert; however, a rotation of vendors is likely, so not every vendor will be needed at every event. More details to follow.
• Self-Sufficiency: Vendors must independently manage and be responsible for staffing, transportation, storage, and production
• Product and Pricing Agreement: Products, packaging, and pricing must be mutually agreed upon
• Cashless Transactions: All sales must be processed through Levy-provided POS systems
• Compliance: Vendors are responsible for all applicable health and safety regulations
• Cleaning Responsibility: Vendors are responsible for maintaining cleanliness within their assigned area
• Inspections: Vendors are subject to Levy and any State or Municipal Department of Health inspections

• Local partners will be provided with a portable cart for service
• All equipment, plumbing and electrical needs will need to work with the existing set up
• Local partners will need to bring and prepare enough food for a high-volume, 3-4 hour event
• All labor needed to execute all food service to be provided by restaurant partner
• All partners must currently hold any required Evanston/County/IL health permits
• All beverages must be prepackaged, and alcohol is not permitted
• Vendors must provide all smallwares and service utensils necessary, as approved by Ryan Sports, to execute their menu
• All product should be prepared offsite in a licensed kitchen or commissary
• Ideal menu would offer no more than 3-4 items in total — e.g., 2 entrées and 1 side — with suggested pricing of $10-15 per entrée and $5-8 for sides

• Handheld POS for each location
• Collection and payment of sales tax and credit card fees
• Basic paper goods — gloves, hand towels, sanitizer
• Trash removal
• Hand sink
• Menus / signage

Participation in the Program is subject to the execution of a separate written agreement between Levy Premium Foodservice Limited Partnership or its affiliate and the selected vendor. All rights, obligations, operational requirements, commercial terms, and participation conditions will be set forth in such agreement. In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between this overview and the executed agreement, the executed agreement shall control.

• Week of 7/20: Press announcement and applications open
• August 10th: Application deadline
• August 17th: Selected vendors notified
• August 18th – September 1st: Vendor onboarding
• Month of September: Coordination Phase
• October 2nd: First Football Game
• November 28th: Last Football Game

Please email any questions to: EvanstonandNorthShoreFavorites@newryanfield.com