The contract to run concessions in Yosemite National Park - everything from gift shops to the Ahwahnee Hotel - is the largest in the National Park System. And soon, a new company could be running those amenities, with a new contract worth an estimated $2 billion.
Last week Yosemite officials announced that Aramark has been selected to be the park's new concessionaire, replacing Delaware North, which has run operations in the park since 1993. The move sparked a flurry of discussion about what the move means for park visitors.
We recently spoke with Yosemite spokesperson Scott Gediman about the proposed new contract, the debate over the ownership of key Yosemite names like Curry Village and the Ahwahnee, and the fate of current Delaware North employees.