The State of New Hampshire, Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation (the “State” and “Division”) is seeking written proposals from New England regionally, or New Hampshire-based hospitality firms to operate the food service concession at Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway & Ski Area, to include the Tramway Summit Station (4080’ Café), Peabody Base Lodge Food Court, Cannonball Pub in the Peabody Base Lodge, Notchview Lodge Cafe, the Mittersill Performance Center (collectively, “Cannon Mountain”), and the Flume Gorge / Gilman Visitors’ Center (the “Flume Gorge”) in addition to mobile (food trucks) and off-site events in the footprint of Franconia Notch State Park responsive to seasonal demands. The selected concessionaire will enter into a contract negotiation with the Division to secure final details. The contract will be drafted and approved in finality by the Division, which reserves its right to make a final decision after negotiations.

The State of New Hampshire, Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation is seeking proposals from New England regional or New Hampshire-based hospitality firms to operate food service concessions at Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway & Ski Area, Flume Gorge / Gilman Visitors' Center, and associated venues, with proposals due January 1, 2027 by 3:00 p.m. A mandatory on-site meeting and site tour is scheduled for November 18, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at Franconia Notch State Park Headquarters. Geographic eligibility is restricted to New England-based or New Hampshire-based firms.

The scope spans food service operations at five venues at Cannon Mountain (Tramway Summit Station 4080' Café, Peabody Base Lodge Food Court, Cannonball Pub, Notchview Lodge Cafe, and Mittersill Performance Center), the Flume Gorge / Gilman Visitors' Center, mobile food truck operations, and off-site events throughout Franconia Notch State Park responsive to seasonal demand. Cannon Mountain draws approximately 140,000 to 150,000 winter visitors and 100,000 summer visitors annually; Flume Gorge experiences approximately 300,000 annual visitors (approximately 125,000 paid visits). Recent gross food service sales totaled $2,142,639.76 (FY2024), $2,115,899.88 (FY2025), and $2,354,179.21 (FY2026).

The contract term is ten years with options to extend for two additional five-year periods at the vendor's election, pending Governor and Executive Council approval, commencing May 1, 2027. Proposers must commit a minimum of $1,000,000 for equipment purchases, design, construction, and facility improvements during the initial ten years and begin improvement discussions within six months of contract commencement. The concessionaire must submit a commission rate on gross revenues; the Division states that the highest commission percentage will not necessarily result in the greatest economic gain to the State. The concessionaire bears responsibility for property taxes to the Towns of Franconia and Lincoln, general liability and liquor liability insurance, Workers' Compensation insurance, and all required local and state licensing and permits.

Evaluation weighs Operating Plan (30%), Promotion of New Hampshire Tourism (10%), Financial Commitment including commission rate and capital improvements (30%), and Experience and Qualifications (30%). Bidder presentations and interviews are scheduled for January 19, 2027, with anticipated vendor selection on February 5, 2027. Proposals must be submitted electronically on USB flash drive with five hard copies.