ARAMARK and New York Mets Announce Landmark 30-Year Partnership for Citi Field

New Agreement Provides Food, Beverage, and Retail Services for New World Class Home of the Mets Scheduled to Open in April 2009

The New York Mets and ARAMARK – a world class leader in professional services – today announced a landmark, 30-year partnership that will provide food, beverage, and retail merchandise services for Citi Field, the new world class home of the Mets scheduled to open in April 2009.

Under terms of the agreement, ARAMARK – a partner with the Mets since 1995 – will be the exclusive concessionaire managing all concessions, retail stores, kiosks as well as luxury suites, clubs, and a specialty restaurant for the 45,000-capacity ballpark. The Mets and ARAMARK already have begun collaborating on the outfitting and design of the concession and dining areas as well as retail space for Citi Field.

The new partnership will seek to set the industry standard in satisfying fans at every level of Citi Field, providing quality service and the widest variety of menu offerings and merchandise. An integrated design approach through food, beverage, and merchandise operations as well as technological advancements in each area will reduce waiting times so that fans can get back to the action of the game faster. The Mets and ARAMARK will launch research-based initiatives to better serve fans’ purchasing preferences.

“We look forward to continuing our successful partnership with the New York Mets,” said Liza Cartmell, Group President, ARAMARK Sports and Entertainment. “Working with the Mets organization, we will make the new ballpark an outstanding entertainment experience for baseball fans in the region.”

“The Mets and ARAMARK will enhance the fans’ game day experience by providing unprecedented variety, quality, and service throughout every level of Citi Field,” said Dave Howard, Executive Vice President, Business Operations, New York Mets. “As we take the next step in the development of Citi Field, this landmark agreement provides the opportunity to advance our efforts in providing the finest experience in sports and entertainment.”

ARAMARK also manages culinary and retail services at KeySpan Park, home of the Mets’ Class-A affiliate, Brooklyn Cyclones. Within the New York Metropolitan area, ARAMARK provides professional services at Continental Airlines Arena, home of the NBA’s New Jersey Nets and NHL’s New Jersey Devils; Giants Stadium, home of the NFL’s New York Giants and Jets; and Nassau Coliseum, home of the NHL’s New York Islanders.

ARAMARK currently partners with 15 Major League Baseball stadiums -- Atlanta’s Turner Field, Anaheim’s Angel Stadium, Baltimore’s Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Boston’s Fenway Park, Denver’s Coors Field, Houston’s Minute Maid Park, Kansas City’s Kauffman Stadium, Minneapolis’ Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, New York’s Shea Stadium, Oakland’s McAfee Coliseum, Philadelphia’s Citizens Bank Park, Pittsburgh’s PNC Park, San Diego’s PETCO Park, Seattle’s SAFECO Field, and Washington, DC’s RFK Stadium.