Aramark Sports + Entertainment debuts technology upgrades for 2023 MLB Opening Day

Aramark Sports + Entertainment, the hospitality provider at nine Major League Baseball (MLB) stadiums, is preparing to welcome fans back to ballparks across North America with state-of-the-art ordering technology and a new lineup of taste-making culinary creations and collaborations.

“Coming off a thrilling 2022 MLB season for Aramark Sports + Entertainment, we can’t wait to be immersed once again in the sights, sounds, and tastes of baseball,” Alison Birdwell, president and CEO of Aramark Sports + Entertainment, said in the announcement. “Our teams have been working through the offseason to develop menu creations and venue advancements that will deliver the memorable gameday experiences that fans have come to expect, and we look forward to showcasing everything new that we have to offer.”

For the 2023 baseball season, Aramark and its partners at Citi Field, Citizens Bank Park, Coors Field, Fenway Park, Kauffman Stadium, Minute Maid Park, PNC Park, Rogers Centre, and Oakland Coliseum will debut various new concessions stands and chef collaborations, elevated takes on classic stadium eats, decadent desserts, and signature cocktails and beverages.

Continuing to lead the industry with an innovative mindset, Aramark and its nine MLB partners will also unveil brand-new self-technology upgrades:

Artificial intelligence (AI) self-checkout:

Grab-and-go service models paired with near-contactless checkout technology will get fans their favorite stadium eats fast. These technologies will be offered at PNC Park in a Mashgin-powered market and Fan Favorite Express locations and Walk Thru Bru beverage concept.

Walk Thru Bru will also expand its presence with 13 new Mashgin units at Rogers Centre, Citi Field, Fenway Park, and Minute Maid Park.

Fenway Park will feature four self-dispensing popcorn machines with self-checkout capabilities at Sox Pop locations.

Autonomous market:

Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology is coming to Coors Field. This experience allows guests to walk into the location, grab the concessions they want, and walk out. By automatically tallying items shoppers take off shelves, payment is processed when they exit, enabling fans to avoid waiting in line.

Self-order kiosks: Touch-to-order kiosks empower guests to customize their checkout interactions with increased efficiency. Fans at PNC Park will see this technology at the Pops Plaza, which will be fully re-imagined with a walkthrough beer market and full bar. Fenway Park will also offer kiosk ordering to Fenway Favorites behind home plate with Tapin2 kiosks that provide a digital interface of menus and self-checkout at the tap of a finger.

Introducing Seasons Inning Stretch (#SeasonsInningStretch)

Seasons Inning Stretch will be a limited-time, seasonally inspired food and beverage program that will bring new dishes to ballpark menus in the spring, summer, and fall. In the spring, venues will showcase fragrant and light ingredients, while the summer months will highlight classics concessions with a refreshing twist. And, as the baseball season comes to an end, warm, fall-flavor profiles will take center field.

To kick off the season this spring, the below culinary creations will be available:

Avocado Fries (Fenway Park)
Banh Mi Chicken Sandwich (Rogers Centre)
Beef Steak Empanadas (Coors Field)
Fried Green Tomato BLT (PNC Park)
Funnel Cake Fries (Citi Field)
Jerk Chicken Sandwich (Citizens Bank Park)
Pork Belly Tacos (Kauffman Stadium)
Shrimp Campechana Tacos (Minute Maid Park)
Strawberry Churro Shortcake (Oakland Coliseum)

New concessions and chef collaborations

Citi Field will introduce several new collaborations this season, headlined by partnerships with renowned chefs Sunny Anderson, Marc Murphy (Chef Marc Murphy’s Porchetta Sandwich Shop), and celebrated butcher Pat LaFrieda (Promenade Level). The home of the New York Mets will also expand its partnership with local establishments Pig Beach and Jacob’s Pickles, while a “Taste of Queens” Cart will feature revolving local eateries throughout the season including Tang Korean Cuisine, Fresco’s Grand Cantina, and The Nourish Spot. Citi Field’s Promenade Club will also bring tastes from New York restaurants Takumi Taco, Empanada Mama, Emma’s Torch, and others.

Citizens Bank Park will now offer Uncle Charlie’s Steaks. Named after 2008 World Series Champion Charlie Manuel, this new area will feature classic, Philly-style cheesesteaks on a freshly baked Liscio’s Bakery seeded roll served with Herr’s kettle chips.

Coors Field, home of the Colorado Rockies, is making its beloved Monster Nachos even more accessible to fans with two newly converted Monster Nacho stands. Additionally, Mustache Pretzel is bringing its hand-rolled and scratch-baked original mustache-shaped pretzels to concessions locations within the stadium.

Kauffman Stadium will introduce a local craft barbecue concept – KCQ – to showcase fan favorite BBQ spots like Chef J BBQ, Scott’s Kitchen, and SMOAK Craft Barbecue in an alternating series throughout the season. Local favorite Palacana will also join The K’s food options – known for their fresh paletas, tacos, and aguas frescas.

Rogers Centre, Toronto’s ballpark, will feature a variety of new food and beverage options as part of the new Outfield District expansion including: The Catch featuring craft cocktails and bites such as mac & cheese and Montreal smoked meat and Cuban sandwiches. The Stop offers a neighborhood bar atmosphere with cocktails and food such as banh mi sandwiches. Schneiders Porch is a brand-new hot dog headquarters with excellent ballpark views. Park Social is a park within the park for fans of all ages with games and food truck-style eats like bacon-pepper grilled cheese and milkshakes. And the Corona Rooftop Patio is nestled in Toronto’s skyline offering modern takes on ballpark classics and an iconic Toronto staple, the Peameal Bacon Sandwich.