Aramark Sports and Entertainment has been chosen by the National Park Service to continue running concessions at Mesa Vede National Park.
The contract begins in January 2015 and will last 10 years.
“We’re looking forward to this working relationship,” said Sue Johnson-Erner, concessions management specialist at Mesa Verde. “I think it will be very profitable for both parties.”
Aramark Sports and Entertainment is projected to make $7 million in annual gross receipts, based on historic revenue. Aramark will pay the federal government 6.5% of that as a franchise fee, equal to about $455,000.
The length of the contract is normal, as Mesa Verde tries to do contracts for 10 years, said Johnson-Erner.
Concessions under the contract include campgrounds, lodging, food and beverage, retail, bus tours and other services found at the park.
Aramark has been with Mesa Verde for 33 years and provides services to other national parks and state parks, such as Denali National Park in Alaska and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in Utah.
Mesa Verde had 460,237 visitors in 2013, with a total of 31,231,442 visitors since it opened in 1908.
eseverson@durangoherald.com