Town’s matchday concourse catering is set to be run in-house this season with the club’s head of conferencing and hospitality Mike Rieder the man in charge of feeding the Blue Army at Portman Road. Previously it was contracted out to Lindley Venue Catering, who provide similar services at a number of clubs and other sporting events across the country.
Mike told TWTD the thinking behind the move: "The change from Lindley’s is so we can have more control and hopefully offer the fans a better deal, as well as maximising the club’s profits in order to put funds back into the team.
"We’ve therefore had the opportunity to start from a blank piece of paper which has meant a lot of work, but has enabled us to bring the fans the right products.
"For example, they will for the first time be able to purchase a potato product throughout the ground, have very competitive meal deals and be able to collect Teamcard points on a number of items.”
He says he has endeavoured to try to keep the cost to fans as low as possible: "I have managed to hold and in some instances reduce prices compared to last season, which is tough in our business as food and fuel costs are continually pushing product prices up.
"And when you think about it the kiosks only are open for around 24 hours a year - 24 games a season and around an hour’s service per game.
"That makes our margins very tight due to the costs of the infrastructure, equipment, staff training and all the regulations we need to cover to operate effectively.
"However, I’m really pleased the with the meal deals and combining them with the Teamcard points as it gives the fans something back, so they can make great savings.
"One of these is a children’s meal deal which is a half portion of wedges, half a hot dog and a Capri Sun for £3.50, plus they get 100 Teamcard points.”
What’s become a Portman Road classic in recent seasons remains on the menu: "The famous Portman Pie (pictured) is back, so not only can you get the award-winning Steak and Adnams Ale Pie, there is also a Chicken and Ham and a Chicken Balti to choose from.
"We have a Spicy Butter Bean Portman Pie available for vegetarians, but we are asking fans to let us know they want one and we will prepare it for half-time or the next match, so we don’t end up wasting good food.”
Mike says he’s tried to make the kiosks — which open at the same time as the Portman Road gates - as user friendly as possible and is running offers to encourage fans into the ground earlier: "I’ve endeavoured to keep the signage clean and simple and have worked with Signs Express to create a design that lets fans see the promotions and the hot food options quickly.
"All of our products our brand leaders, Mars confectionery Walkers Crisps, Coca-Cola etc, as I believe fans want quality items that they can trust and are worth paying for.
"I will be working closely with these suppliers to deliver promotions and competitions, we’ve already had Mars giving out free chocolates and a 50% off voucher for the Blackburn game at the open training session last week.
"Fans need to look out for the early bird deals we will be doing, which will offer some stunning reductions if they buy up to 30 minutes before the game.
"If we can get fans in a bit earlier and buying before the match rather than all rushing and queuing at half-time it would benefit everyone.”
He hopes supporters will get behind the changes: "I really hope the fans appreciate the deals and quality of products we will be providing this year and support the club by purchasing from the kiosks as all the profits go back into the team to be able to achieve our aim of Premier League football.”