Agenda Item: 8
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
CONSENT CALENDAR
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
DATE: September 8, 2026
SUBJECT: CONCESSION AGREEMENT FOR THE RINK SPORTS PAVILION DEPARTMENT: Recreation and Community Services
PRESENTER: Kyle Lopez
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council:
1. Award a three-year contract to Top Shelf Bar and Grille for the operation of The Wheel Restaurant at The Rink Sports Pavilion.
2. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute up to two additional one-year renewal options beginning in year four.
3. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all contracts and associated documents, subject to City Attorney review.
BACKGROUND
The City of Santa Clarita (City) is opening The Rink Sports Pavilion (The Rink), a new 25,000- square-foot recreation facility located within the Santa Clarita Sports Complex (SCSC). The facility includes a 12,000-square-foot roller rink, multi-sport programming areas, birthday party spaces, and event venues designed to serve residents and visitors throughout the year.
The Rink also includes The Wheel Restaurant (The Wheel), an approximately 960-square-foot food and beverage concession intended to serve daily visitors, organized sports participants, birthday parties, special events, and patrons utilizing SCSC.
The selected vendor will pay a monthly base fee of $3,696 and utility fee of $1,200, for a total monthly fee of $4,896. These fees will increase by 3% annually. Additionally, the vendor will pay a monthly percentage revenue fee of 5% for any gross revenue exceeding $33,000.
The City conducted a Request for Proposal (RFP) to solicit proposals from qualified and
experienced restaurant operators to operate food and beverage concessions for The Wheel. The RFP was published and circulated via the City’s e-procurement system BidNet on July 27, 2026.
The City transmitted the solicitation to 868 vendors on BidNet, of which 39 vendors downloaded the RFP. Two companies provided proposals for consideration.
These proposals were reviewed and evaluated based on each company’s ability to meet the specific needs of the City. An evaluation panel comprised of City staff scored the responses using the following categories of weighted criteria:
• Experience and Qualifications (30 points)
• Concept/Menu (25 points)
• Operations Plan (25 points)
• Staffing (15 points)
• References (5 points)
The evaluation team scored the responsive proposals and held interviews with both vendors.
Based on the selection criteria and interviews, the vendors were rated as follows:
Rank Company Location Score
1 Top Shelf Bar and Grille Santa Clarita, CA 97.67
2 Primo Nosh Chefs LLC Huntington Beach, CA 88.67
In reviewing proposals and conducting interviews, the evaluation team awarded the highest score to Top Shelf Bar and Grille (Top Shelf). The evaluation team determined that Top Shelf’s proposal offered the best overall value to meet the food and beverage service needs of The Rink and surrounding SCSC.
Top Shelf proposed a concession concept featuring a variety of food and beverage options for The Wheel and SCSC. The proposal included a menu and operational plan tailored to the facility with a family-friendly service approach.
The proposed staffing plan identified a central chef responsible for quality control and consistency, and included staffing intended to support food service operations. The proposal also outlined operational procedures addressing food quality, consistency, and customer service.
Overall, the evaluation team determined that Top Shelf’s combination of experience, tailored approach, menu concept, and operational plan best aligned with the City's vision and needs for The Wheel. Staff recommends awarding the contract to Top Shelf.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
Other action as determined by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
Upon approval of the recommended action and execution of the contract, the projected revenue for the three-year contract is $181,597.
ATTACHMENTS
Top Shelf Proposal (available in the City Clerk's Reading File) Sample Contract (available in the City Clerk's Reading File)