UGA Smash Burger Concept Operation

The University of Georgia is soliciting proposals to operate the Smash Burger concept located on the third floor of the Tate Student Center within Bulldog Cafe, under Solicitation Number 51800-eRFP-001789-2026. The current operation, active since March 2016, generated approximately $275,000 in sales in Fiscal Year 2026, and the new contract will commence on August 1, 2026, with an initial one-year term and four one-year renewal options exercisable at the University’s sole discretion. Proposals must be submitted electronically by June 25, 2026, and will be evaluated based on a weighted assessment of menu and pricing, staffing plan, operational procedures, management experience, and business structure, with no point weights publicly disclosed but scoring tied to mandatory scored questions. The operation is restricted to a limited menu of smash burgers, french fries, dessert, Coca-Cola fountain beverages, and sweetened and unsweetened iced tea, with strict operational requirements including two team members arriving two hours before opening for preparation, adherence to detailed training standards in food safety and point-of-sale procedures, uniform requirements reflecting the business name, and acceptance of Paw Points and other Dining Services payment methods. All bidders must comply with Georgia state regulations including O.C.G.A. § 13-10-91, mandating participation in the federal work authorization program for all employees, and must submit a completed Sales and Use Tax compliance form and certification of not being a scrutinized company conducting business in Sudan involving power, mineral, oil, or military equipment production, with violations resulting in civil penalties, contract termination, or multi-year bidding ineligibility. A background check requirement tied to SPD-SP025 is mandatory, and insurance must meet Georgia standard requirements as outlined in the provided documentation. Bidders must also disclose their business status as a franchise or company, provide resumes of their authorized representative and on-site manager, and contact details for an off-campus district supervisor; Georgia-resident businesses are granted reciprocal preference over out-of-state entities. Additional documentation required includes a detailed cost proposal, staffing schedule, training protocols, floorplan compliance, and trade secret affidavits. The contract is open to potential expansion with at least one additional location to be added during the term, and all submissions must be uploaded through the state’s eRFP portal with no page or word limits specified.