Kenosha County Old Settlers Park Beer Garden Concessions Operation

Kenosha County is seeking a qualified food and beverage vendor to operate a beer garden concession at Old Settlers Park, located in Salem, Wisconsin. The procurement aims to select a vendor who can fully manage all aspects of a new beer garden to enhance the park's family-friendly guest experience. The selected vendor will be responsible for operating the beer garden from May 1 through October 30 annually, with specified hours of operation and a requirement to obtain a Class B tavern license. Proposals must include a comprehensive business plan detailing site plans, concept plans, menu proposals, financial investment estimates, staffing qualifications, hours of operation, and a traffic control plan. The evaluation criteria will assess proposals across multiple categories: company profile (20 points), staff qualifications (20 points), business plan (25 points), improvements (25 points), and menu (20 points), totaling 120 possible points. A pre-proposal conference is scheduled for September 13, 2023, at 1:00 PM at the Old Settlers Park pavilion, with sealed proposals due by 3:00 PM on October 18, 2023. Possible vendor presentations are estimated for November 15, 2023, with the contract term spanning five years and an option to renew for an additional five years.

There are no specific set-aside designations or restrictions mentioned for this procurement. The vendor must demonstrate a minimum of three years of experience in the food and beverage industry and will be responsible for all upfront expenses to improve the site, though these investments may be negotiated as part of a gross revenue-sharing agreement with the County. The compensation structure requires the vendor to pay monthly commissions to the County based on gross revenue, with rates escalating over the contract term from 0% to 15% depending on the year and revenue levels. The vendor must maintain comprehensive liability insurance with minimum coverage of $1,000,000 per occurrence, liquor liability insurance, workers' compensation, and automobile liability, with the County named as an additional insured. While no specific incumbent is mentioned, the solicitation indicates that three bidders submitted proposals: 1 of Us Brewing Co., Petrifying Springs Beer Garden, LLC, and Beer Garden Partners, LLC. The existing infrastructure includes a pavilion, band shelter, and various park amenities, with the County retaining ownership of the premises and requiring final approval through the County Board and County Executive.