Prudential Center and Legends Hospitality Announce Partnership to Create World-Class Culinary Experience at Arena

NEWARK, N.J., June 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Prudential Center and Legends Hospitality announced today a multi-year partnership that will create a brand new, first-class culinary experience for guests at the Newark, NJ arena. Legends will take over concessions operations in early July with a full rollout of new offerings this fall.

The foundation of the new concessions concept will focus on locally-sourced, high-quality New Jersey food and creative, re-imagined space design throughout the arena's concourses and premium locations. In addition to an upgraded culinary experience for guests, the concept will feature new streamlined point-of-service operations for expedited transactions.

"Partnering with Legends gives us the opportunity to provide our guests with a world-class experience, including farm-to-table offerings by nationally recognized celebrity chefs, with authentic New Jersey roots," said Scott O'Neil, CEO of Prudential Center. "Legends has a long history of success at venues around the globe and their creative and unique vision is perfectly aligned with our commitment to delivering exceptional services to our fans."

"We are honored to be selected by Prudential Center," said Shervin Mirhashemi, Legends President and COO.  "We look forward to working closely with them to deliver a new, innovative culinary program that will be centered on enhancing the guest experience. This will be defined by passion for customer service and brought to light through a culinary lens that represents the iconic fare of New Jersey. It is a like-minded partnership and shared vision that we cannot wait to bring from concept to execution."

The new culinary program will be based on the platform "Born & Bread" in New Jersey and will feature popular restaurants built on local farm-to-table sourcing; a collection of locally born, award-winning chefs; and unique cuisine that represents iconic locations around the state.

Examples include:

JBJ Soul Kitchen

Where "Hope is Delicious," JBJ Soul Kitchen is a community kitchen and restaurant run by the Jon Bon Jovi Foundation in Red Bank, NJ and established with a vision to serve healthy, delicious and, when possible, organic meals. JBJ Soul Kitchen is ready to serve those who are hungry or those who hunger to make a difference in their community.

In a partnership with Jon Bon Jovi's Soul Kitchen, Prudential Center will feature the first community-based concession stand in sports and entertainment. The new JBJ Soul Kitchen location will embody its roots by serving healthy, locally-sourced meals served by a staff that has graduated from the Legends/JBJSK job placement program.

The Jersey Diner

With over 625 diners around the state, New Jersey is far and away the diner capital of the world. With a nod to that honor, Prudential Center will offer the first "Diner" concession. The Route 1 Diner will look and feel like a traditional Jersey Diner, from the servers uniforms to the menu classics, including the Burger Deluxe, Lamb Gyro, Disco Fries and savory milkshakes.

Ironbound District

Honoring the very district in which Prudential Center is located, the Ironbound District will feature a wide variety of Peruvian, Brazilian and Portuguese favorites in a newly renovated, show-cooking setting with rotisserie grills.

Boardwalk

Who said walking the Boardwalk was only supposed to be a Jersey Shore experience? Prudential Center's re-imagined Upper Concourse will bring summer inside. Fixed-portables, festooned with classic lighting and an actual Boardwalk will serve popular Jersey Shore classics such as Fried Clams, Fries, Pizza, Ice Cream and Funnel Cakes in what will become one of the most popular destinations in the arena.

About Prudential Center

Prudential Center is home to the three-time Stanley Cup Champion and 2011-2012 Eastern Conference Champion New Jersey Devils, Seton Hall NCAA Division 1 Men's Basketball and over 200 events a year including major concerts, the NCAA East Regional, the NBA Draft and the 2013 NHL Draft.  Opened in October 2007, the arena welcomes over 2 million guests through its doors annually, ranking third in the U.S. for year-end 2013, according to leading industry publication Venues Today. Prudential Center is located in downtown Newark just two blocks from Newark Penn Station, accessible via NJ Transit, PATH and Amtrak, while at the heart of cross-roads for five major highway access routes and 12 miles from midtown Manhattan.  

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About Legends

Legends (www.legends.net) has created a legacy of success, delivery and results with the icons of global sports, entertainment and business. Our passion for delivering remarkable experiences, at every occasion, has enabled us to redefine the role of a solutions provider and set a new expectation within the industry.

Legends is an industry leading sports entertainment company with multiple best-in-class disciplines including: Legends Global Planning which provides project feasibility, project development, and analytics; Legends Global Sales, which offers team owners, facility operators and athletic departments premium and individual ticket sales and service, PSL sales execution, sponsorship and naming rights capabilities, stadium/arena tours, special event sales and sales training; and Legends Hospitality, the premier provider of general concessions, premium food & beverage, catering, and retail merchandise.

SOURCE Legends