10/23/2012 8:55:00 AM Tim's Toyota Center hires Gabby's Kitchen owners to operate concessions
Ken Hedler/The Daily Courier
Kelley and Jim Cabral, owners of Gabby’s Kitchen in Chino Valley and Prescott Valley, have won a contract for the concessions and as food provider at Tim’s Toyota Center in Prescott Valley.
Tim's Toyota Center Monday announced the hiring of local restaurant owner Jim Cabral to operate the concessions and be the food provider at the arena.
Arena officials said they decided to go with Cabral, owner of Gabby's Kitchen in Chino Valley and Prescott Valley with wife Kelley, after fielding a number of complaints about prices of food for sale as well as the quality. The center has had two out-of-town food concessionaires since it opened six years ago with the arrival of the Arizona Sundogs minor-league hockey team, said Lew Rees, who handles public relations for the arena.
"We don't have to make a lot of money," Cabral said during a press conference at lunchtime Monday at the arena. "There is no reason you have to pay $6 for a beer."
Cabral and his crew have been working for a month to take over operations at Tim's Toyota Center, according to Rees.
"We are here 16 to 18 hours a day," Cabral said. "You can imagine what an undertaking it is."
He said 20 to 30 employees will work during an event at the arena - "hopefully 30." He added he plans to reduce the wait time by making sure five to six cash registers are manned during intermission at hockey games.
"We will have a line just for drinks," Cabral said. "We will have a debit (card) only line."
Cabral said he is farming out pizza sales to Papa John's.
Cabral, 43, of Prescott Valley said he bought Gabby's Kitchen in Chino Valley 10 years ago and expanded it over the past three years by opening a banquet room. He owned Blondies Kitchen in Dewey-Humboldt, but decided to let his lease expire earlier this year and opened his second Gabby's in March at the former Arturo's restaurant on Spouse Drive near Robert Road.
His expansion of the restaurant in Chino Valley, off Highway 89, earned Gabby's the Member of the Year Award from the Chino Valley Chamber of Commerce in 2010.
He has strong ties to the arena and the Sundogs, and has been the chef for the team's training camp since the start. He also has supplied food during the AIA high school tournaments at the arena.
Tim's General Manager Gary Spiker said of Cabral, "They have a great reputation for being clean and putting out a good product."
Rees said he has known Cabral for two decades, and described him as being "one of the biggest community boosters in this area."
Arena officials declined to discuss the specifics of the contract. However, Spiker said it is based "on how well he does" and will be a year at a time.
