NFL franchise Washington Football Team has joined forces with Jon Taffer to introduce the first satellite franchise of the hospitality expert and entrepreneur’s Taffer’s Tavern concept at FedExField.
Located on the Club Level at FedExField, the new location is the first satellite location to open for the fast-growing restaurant franchise. It debuted for Washington’s 20-16 defeat to the Los Angeles Chargers in Sunday’s home season opener.
Taffer’s Tavern needed less than two weeks to revamp the space and welcome fans at the season opener this past weekend. Paired with Taffer’s decades of experience in the hospitality industry, the Taffer’s Tavern location seeks to deliver the same high standards of quality, as well as easy installation, with a turnkey kitchen concept that does not require hoods or vents. It also features the latest advancements in food prep technology.
Bob Marks, vice-president of hospitality for Levy, hospitality partner of FedExField, said: “Partnering with Taffer’s Tavern allows us to raise the bar on the fan experience at FedExField. They bring unique dining options that many fans will find comforting and delicious for the stadium setting.
“With operational efficiencies that are well-suited for the arena environment, Taffer’s Tavern innovation allows us to meet the expectations of the modern fan.”
Taffer originally tapped Cuisine Solutions, a specialist sous vide technology, to assist with menu development and kitchen design for Taffer’s Tavern, and it will operate multiple locations in popular areas in D.C. and Northern Virginia.
The groundbreaking concept is said to be ideal for franchisees looking to be part of a rapidly growing brand with the flexibility to operate in both traditional and non-traditional locations. Operated with a kitchen of the future, the industry-leading technology used in Taffer’s Tavern allows minimal need for food preparation and handling, drastically reducing back-of-house labour, and includes a hoodless/ventless kitchen footprint.
In addition, the innovative and simplified cooking techniques allow for less experienced kitchen staff and helps reduce cook time by 50% to 90% compared to traditional kitchens.
To facilitate growth for the emerging brand, Taffer has partnered with Fransmart, the franchise development company behind the growth of brands like Five Guys Burgers and Fries, and QDOBA Mexican Grill.
“Taffer’s Tavern is the perfect entertainment district restaurant concept, offering refined, high quality, delicious tavern food, served lightning fast and with consistency,” said Fransmart CEO Dan Rowe.
“This stadium operation demonstrates the speed to open and flexibility of the hoodless and ventless restaurant concept. In addition to the full-service dining experience, I can see Taffer’s Tavern in other event complexes, amphitheatres, airports and more.”
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