ASM Global Rolls Out Plant-Based Menu Options at Select Convention Venues In North America
December 13, 2022
In order to increase the selection and availability of sustainable, vegan menu options throughout its extensive network of arenas, stadiums, theaters and convention centers, ASM Global recently formed a multi-year partnership with plant-based global food provider Wicked Kitchen.
The new partnership establishes Wicked Kitchen as the “Preferred Plant-Based Food Partner” of ASM Global venues as well as “Exclusive Plant-Based Food Provider” across all catering, suite and concessions managed by SAVOR, the chef-driven culinary division of ASM Global.
With this announcement, Wicked Kitchen also becomes an official partner of the ASM Global Acts Foundation, ASM Global’s corporate social responsibility platform.
Featured menu items in concessions, catering and suites will include a diverse range of sandwiches, sausages, burgers, pizzas, pastas, appetizers, main dishes and ice cream, made entirely of plant-based ingredients. The chef-created menu offerings are designed to appeal to a wide variety of palates, while also following the momentum of more guests, athletes and performers globally seeking plant-based foods to bolster their health while reducing their environmental footprint.
Created by chefs and brothers Derek Sarno and Chad Sarno, Wicked Kitchen offers a chef-driven range of delicious, 100% animal-free foods. In addition to its recent launch into food service, the company boasts the largest variety of any plant-based consumer packaged goods (CPG) brand in the U.S., with a portfolio of products available in more than 8,900 retail stores in the U.S.
“We’re proud to be a part of the solution for ASM Global’s large-scale venues to meet their sustainability goals and to provide plant-based foods that appeal to everyone,” said Pete Speranza, CEO of Wicked Kitchen. “With the product variety and insights that Wicked Kitchen brings, we see this as a major game-changer for the food service industry.”
Wicked Kitchen fare will be available at select SAVOR-managed venues in North America in an initial phased rollout. Among the 32 stadiums, arenas and event venues that will offer its vegan menus, participating convention centers include:
- Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, Calif.
- Ontario Convention Center in Ontario, Calif.
- Oklahoma City Convention Center in Oklahoma City, Okla.
- Tucson Convention Center in Tucson, Ariz.
- Moscone Center and Moscone West in San Francisco
- McCormick Place and Lakeside Center in Chicago
- Nicholas J. Pirro Convention Center in Syracuse, N.Y.
Plant-based cuisine pioneer Chef Chad Sarno, chief culinary officer and co-founder at Wicked Kitchen, applauded ASM Global and SAVOR for their commitment to sustainability by choosing plant-based foods for their venues.
“We are so excited to partner with ASM Global and SAVOR to push the boundaries of traditional venue favorites for bold-flavored, plant-based offerings that are good for the planet and provide tasty options for both meat eaters and vegans alike,” said Sarno. “As a culinary-first brand, we are especially thrilled to partner and work with the incredible culinary team at SAVOR that prioritizes taste and experience for all customers.”
With the addition of this strategic partnership, ASM Global is poised to continue its trajectory of becoming the global leader in sustainability in the entertainment, sports and convention industry, according to ASM Global officials.
“This partnership between ASM Global, SAVOR and Wicked Kitchen is an integral part of ASM Global’s commitment to establishing the most sustainable venues in the world,” said Shaun Beard, SAVOR senior vice president. “Our plant-based food offerings will immediately increase, providing our guests with more diverse choices that also have a positive impact on our planet.”
He added, “Additionally, Wicked Kitchen’s product offering is delicious, and we are confident that all of our guests, no matter their food preference, will be drawn to these menu items.”
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Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.
Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.
Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.
The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.
MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.
MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.
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