After disappointing loss of Bills contract, Delaware North stays the course to broaden its business

It happened again this month after finding out that when the new Buffalo Bills stadium is completed in 2026 the Buffalo-based company will no longer provide food and beverage services for its hometown team.

Delaware North officials say they are disappointed by the loss of a high-profile client they had worked with for three decades – a loss that stunned workers at the company’s Delaware Avenue headquarters.

But the emotional toll from the loss of the Bills concessions deal to Legends Hospitality belies the company’s rebound from the Covid pandemic and the record sales it posted last year. And it isn’t deterring Delaware North from its plans to focus more on portions of its business that the company can control, rather than work based on contracts that regularly come up for renewal.

Still, losing the Bills contract stings. The relationship with the team goes back three decades for the company and even further for the Jacobs brothers – company CEOs Jerry Jr., Lou and Charlie.

Jerry Jacobs Jr. said he can remember in 1973 attending the first Bills game in their new home, Rich Stadium, in Orchard Park, and then the excitement of becoming the team’s concessionaire 19 years later.

But Delaware North’s run at the stadium will end after three more seasons following the Bills announcement in May that they would be going with Legends for concessions once Highmark Stadium closes. Legends previously took over from Delaware North the Bills sales and retail business and has become increasingly involved in all aspects of the team’s business and the new stadium project.

Delaware North leadership had been on pins and needles awaiting the Bills decision. They felt they have been loyal partners to the team. Company officials say Delaware North has been hamstrung in what it could offer for food at 50-year-old…