Centerplate is Nation's Fastest Growing Restaurant Chain

STAMFORD, Conn., July 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Centerplate, the leading hospitality partner to North America's premier sports, convention and entertainment venues, is now also the fastest growing restaurant chain in America, according to Nation's Restaurant News.  

The nation-wide survey ranks Stamford, CT-based Centerplate as the #1 restaurant chain, based on growth in new locations.  Year over year, Centerplate grew by over 80%, more than twice as fast as the #2 chain on the list, Five Guys Burgers and Fries. Last year, Centerplate served over 100 million guests.

"Our singular goal has been to reinvent event hospitality, and provide world class experiences for our guests -- this is overwhelming evidence that our focus, hard work, and innovation are paying off," said Centerplate CEO Des Hague. "We are thrilled to see our company on the top of this list, and the best news is we've only scratched the surface as to what I know we will accomplish."

Centerplate's explosive growth has been fueled by maintaining it's current roster of A-list sports, entertainment, and convention venues, by a wave of new venues signing up for Centerplate's hospitality services, and by a strategy of targeted, strategic acquisition. New client partners added in 2010 included the Cobo Center, the signature convention facility in downtown Detroit, the Scotiabank Convention Centre, the new state-of-the-art eco-friendly center in Niagara Falls, Canada and the Baltimore Convention Center, the premier meeting facility in the Mid-Atlantic, among others.

"We offer venues world class food, beverage and hospitality, but Centerplate is also a leading strategic partner, helping stadiums, and convention centers across the country maximize revenue and optimize the entire guest experience. That has been a winning combination for growth," says Centerplate CMO Bob Pascal. "2010 was the best year, in terms of client retention and new business wins, in the 80 year history of the company."

In 2011, the company has maintained this strong new business momentum, with new clients like the University of Notre Dame, the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, and the under-development Santa Clara Stadium, future home of the San Francisco 49ers.  

Today's announcement comes on the heels of other recent Centerplate news, including serving as hospitality host for the Honda Indy Toronto, the premier auto race and Ontario's largest annual sporting event, and the appointment of industry marketing leader Bob Pascal to Chief Marketing Officer.

About Centerplate:

Centerplate crafts and delivers "Craveable Experiences. Raveable Results." in over 250 prominent entertainment, sports and convention venues across North America – annually serving over 100 million guests. Centerplate has provided event hospitality services to 15 official U.S. Presidential Inaugural Balls, 12 Super Bowls, 20 World Series, the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, and the largest plated dinner in history at the Alpha Kappa Alpha Centennial Celebration. The company was recently named the fastest growing restaurant chain in the country by Nation's Restaurant News.

SOURCE Centerplate