RFP Concessionaire Services for the Charles W. Eisemann Center

The City of Richardson is requesting proposals for exclusive concessionaire services at the Charles W. Eisemann Center, a 117,000 square-foot performing arts venue, with proposals due September 24, 2026 by 2:00 p.m. Central Time. A mandatory pre-proposal conference with facility tour is scheduled for September 3, 2026 at 9:30 a.m. Addendum No. 1, issued September 16, 2026, clarifies contract terms, operational requirements, and addresses eighteen questions from the pre-proposal meeting.

The scope encompasses food and beverage concession operations—alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, pre-packaged food, catering services, and miscellaneous concession items—across three performance venues. The facility conducts walk-up concessions over 225 times annually and hosts approximately 160,000 attendees per year. The concessionaire must provide concession and bar service for every event requested by the Eisemann Center regardless of anticipated attendance and hold a Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) permit prior to contract commencement (though the permit may be obtained after award). The City provides preventative maintenance on designated concession equipment and covers routine repairs unless resulting from vendor negligence.

The initial contract term is one year from award, with the City holding options to extend for four additional one-year periods. The City reserves termination rights with sixty days' written notice. The concessionaire must pay a minimum commission fee of 10 percent of gross receipts net of sales and excise taxes. Proposers must demonstrate a minimum of five years of concessionaire experience for municipalities or similar public assembly venues, financial stability supported by audited financial statements, and maintain commercial general liability of $1 million per occurrence, liquor liability of $5 million per occurrence, and excess liability of $4 million. The City provides concession space, utilities, storage, and office space at no cost; the concessionaire bears all operational expenses.

Evaluation is weighted: proposed commission (40 points), qualifications and experience (35 points), and proposer questionnaire responses (25 points). Awards are anticipated four to six weeks after proposal opening.