LOUISVILLE, Ky. December 7, 2021 – Sodexo Live!, the hospitality partner to many of the world’s most iconic venues, today announced the renewal of its long-term agreement with the KFC Yum! Center. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed, but Sodexo Live! will continue to provide catering services and manage the on-site merchandise at the venue. Since opening in October 2010, the arena has welcomed nearly 10 million guests and hundreds of world-class sporting and entertainment events to the heart of downtown Louisville, and serves as the homecourt for the University of Louisville’s men’s and women’s basketball teams.  

With 300+ employees who currently work at the KFC Yum! Center, Sodexo Live! is happy to be a regular source of jobs for local residents. Its culinary team continually pushes the envelope with creative new menu items that delight fans in both the general concourses and premium dining spaces. Whether doubling down on local meat sourcing and specialty hot dogs, or integrating with local Heaven Hill Brands and Rabbit Hole Distillery, there is always something new for guests to enjoy.  

Since the onset of the pandemic, Sodexo Live! pivoted quickly to bolster safety protocols, including plexiglass barriers at all points of sale, having food products wrapped or served in an enclosed container and moving to all cashless sales. 

This exciting news is a testament to our close collaboration with the Louisville Arena Authority, ASM Global, University of Louisville, and Learfield, said Steve Pangburn, CEO, Sodexo Live! By providing excellent guest service, actively sourcing from local community purveyors and investing in the consistent modernization of the venue, we are fully committed to bettering the fan experience for Louisville fans and all those who come to visit.

Since the KFC Yum! Center first opened its doors, it has annually injected millions of dollars into the local economy and helped launch a renaissance overall in the national entertainment sector. The arena is consistently ranked among the nation’s top 30 venues for concert tickets sales by industry-leading Pollstar Magazine and was recently voted a Top 5 “coolest arena in the nation” according to Rolling Stone. Set in the heart of downtown, the KFC Yum! Center serves as a significant asset in helping to attract visitors from all over the world to Louisville. 

The University of Louisville’s men’s basketball team attracted more than 3.7 million fans in their first 11 years in the KFC Yum! Center, and women’s basketball averaged 9,159 fans per game in 2019-20, which topped the ACC and ranked fifth in the country. The Cardinals have ranked among the nation's top five in home attendance in each of its 11 years in the KFC Yum! Center.

 

About Sodexo Live!

Sodexo Live! manages prestigious conference, cultural, and sporting venues and major events all over the world. With 40,000 employees and 500 sites, we offer our clients a range of bespoke catering, sales, and event management services, helping to transform the consumer experience into unforgettable memories. As strategic and responsible partners, we commit to unlocking our customers’ full potential while favoring local communities.  

Sodexo Live! contributes to the success of prestigious events such as Royal Ascot, the Tour de France, the Rugby World Cup and soon the Paris 2024 Games, and showcases exceptional venues such as the Eiffel Tower Restaurants, the Hard Rock Stadium, Bateaux Parisiens, Yachts de Paris, the Royal Academy of Arts in London, the Prado museum in Madrid and the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.

Learn more about Sodexo Live!

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