Lake Ashton Community Development District - Request for Proposals Restaurant Services - WINTER HAVEN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Lake Ashton Community Development District - Request for Proposals Restaurant Services

10/25/2022

Information provided by Lake Ashton

Lake Ashton Community Development District (CDD) is soliciting proposals to operate a casual restaurant sports bar at the CDD’s Clubhouse in Lake Wales, Florida. The objective of this Request for Proposal (RFP) is to enter into a lease agreement with the Lake Ashton Community Development District (lessor) to provide full-service bar and restaurant operations at the Lake Ashton Clubhouse. Optional catering opportunities are also available to those who are interested.

Introduction
Lake Ashton is a highly sought-after, premiere, resort-style, 55+ gated community. It is located two miles west of the intersection of U.S. Highway 27 and Thompson Nursery Road in Lake Wales, Florida. This area sees traffic of more than 42,000 vehicles per day.

The community of Lake Ashton features over 1,600 homes, spanning both Lake Wales and Winter Haven, with over 3,000 residents. The community covers 2,000 acres, and is minutes from area attractions, including Bok Tower Gardens, Florida’s Natural and Legoland.

Lake Ashton amenities include the Clubhouse, a Health and Fitness Center at a separate location, two 18-hole championship golf courses and a golf course snack bar, The Eagle’s Nest.

The main Clubhouse Grand Ballroom hosts many events, weddings, and live entertainment gatherings. The Ballroom’s capacity is up to 550 attendees.
The Lake Ashton Clubhouse is home to the community’s restaurant at 4141 Ashton Club Drive. The restaurant is an integral part of the community, and draws traffic from the adjacent community of Traditions (55+), with a population of 550. Several new communities are under construction, which will add 2,800 new homes by 2025.

The Clubhouse restaurant is open to the public, overlooks 400-acre Lake Ashton, and provides indoor and covered outdoor dining, with a full-service bar and a maximum seating capacity of 235. The restaurant provides service to the outdoor pool, as well as adjoining activity rooms, a theater, and an on-site bowling alley. Clubhouse parking is available in two adjacent lots, with additional golf cart parking at the entrance.

Common Area Maintenance (CAM)
There are common areas that are shared with the CDD. The CDD is responsible to pay for CAM to include telephone, basic cable, vehicle parking, sewage, electricity, heating and cooling, and water, which are part of the services for the entire Clubhouse facility. Lake Ashton CDD will provide routine cleaning of the main lobby and ballroom areas (other than for catered events), as well as the outside of the building, including sidewalks and parking lots. The CDD also maintains restroom space, which is shared within the clubhouse facility. The restaurant office includes incoming telephone, high speed internet and a point-of-sale system networked to the dining room and kitchen.

Restaurant Equipment
Lake Ashton CDD owns all furniture, fixtures, and equipment necessary to operate the restaurant, including, but not limited to, tables, chairs, commercial ovens, prep stations and dishwashers. The CDD also owns dishes, serving ware and glassware. The kitchen is equipped with commercial equipment, including a walk-in cooler/freezer and multiple

cooking appliances. A complete inventory is available upon request. The CDD owns a point-of-sale system including several terminals and printers, all of which is available to the restaurant operator. However, if the restaurant operator chooses to use this equipment, the restaurant operator must pay all programming and monthly fees associated with the POS system.
Alcohol Sales and Service
Lake Ashton CDD requires the sale and service of alcoholic beverages in support of the restaurant operation. The successful operator/lessee may have exclusive rights to alcohol sales and service for catered events unless otherwise negotiated. Serving alcoholic beverages in all clubhouse locations will be subject to the lessee obtaining appropriate permits and insurance.
Restaurant Operations

A full-service restaurant/sports bar, offering lunch and dinner seven days a week, with after-dinner-hour activities, including, but not limited to, special themed nights and other sports-bar style activities is desirable.
Operating hours of 11 a.m. through 8 p.m. are desirable, however, activities and special events could drive extended hours.
Breakfast service would be at the discretion of the respondent. Brunches for special occasions are desirable.
Curbside service and community delivery options are desirable.
The restaurant operator will have the opportunity to submit a catering proposal for
events held throughout the Clubhouse. Any proposed catering may only be done with no impact on restaurant service and operations. The restaurant operator may have exclusive rights for alcohol sales and service at catering events.
Restaurant operator will comply with all federal, state, and local operating regulations.
Marketing Opportunities

The successful operator/leasee will participate in actively promoting their restaurant to Lake Ashton residents and the surrounding communities. Advertising utilizing social media, local publications, trade publications, and Lake Ashton marketing communications is critical to promoting the successful restaurant.
The restaurant indoor and outdoor dining areas can accommodate various forms of entertainment and special events. Previous events included golf leagues, professional associations, special interest groups, wine tastings, and various community club activities.

Smoking/Vaping
Smoking/Vaping is not permitted anywhere within the Lake Ashton Clubhouse (including the patio), per state requirements. There is one outdoor area designated for smoking.
Additional Considerations
Outdoor patio and pool deck dining are required, weather permitting. The al fresco dining area can accommodate outdoor entertainment and special events subject to reasonable limitations. Although the outdoor patio is managed and scheduled by restaurant staff, that patio may be reserved by residents during non-operational hours.

RFP RESPONSE ELEMENTS:
The response for the RFP should include the following information:

Present a detailed listing showing professional food and beverage service experience, accomplishments and education primarily for principals and managers
Specific challenges that may be encountered in running a restaurant in a 55+ community
Provide lunch and dinner menu ideas and price points for a 55+ community
Ideas for after-hours activities and events
Name, address, and phone number of three individual references with direct knowledge of the respondent’s involvement in restaurant management and operation
Restaurant operator must provide proof of sufficient funds that demonstrates their ability to cover the initial startup costs for the restaurant operation
Estimated lead time for opening the new restaurant
Present ideas for marketing to surrounding communities and areas
Please note: Evaluation criteria will be based on the responses to the RFP Elements listed above.
Additional Information
- Lake Ashton CDD has the right to reject any and all proposals, and/or to request additional information from respondent.
- While a lease agreement will be negotiated with the selected respondent, the agreement and its terms are subject to approval by the CDD’s attorney, which may include certain provisions required due to the financing tax issues specific to the CDD.
- Once notified, successful respondents should plan to attend a Lake Ashton CDD Board of Supervisors meeting.
  Meeting and Tour of the Facilities
  All respondents are encouraged to tour the Clubhouse restaurant and facilities with an appointment made in advance by calling or e-mailing Christine Wells at 863.324.5457 or [email protected]. All tours must be scheduled prior to the question deadline, noted below.
  Proposal Submission Process
  Proposals may be hand-delivered, sent via electronic mail to [email protected], or mailed and must be received no later than 3:00 pm on November 10, 2022
  Address Proposals to:
  Christine Wells, Community Director Lake Ashton CDD
  4141 Ashton Club Drive
  Lake Wales, FL 33859
  Interested parties should submit a complete response that can be transmitted via electronic mail to the Lake Ashton CDD Board of Supervisors.

Question Deadline
All questions and inquiries regarding the RFP should be submitted via electronic mail to [email protected] and received no later than 5 p.m. on October 21, 2022. All questions and answers will be provided to all respondents who receive an RFP package by October 28, 2022. The questions and answers, when posted, become part of the RFP. Respondents are responsible to keep informed of questions and answers.
All dates and schedules are subject to change. Lake Ashton CDD reserves the right to reject any and all proposals, to waive irregularities and to award that proposal which is deemed to be in the best interest of the Lake Ashton CDD. Additionally, the Lake Ashton CDD also reserves the right to extend any and alltimelines and timeframes but not to exceed forty-five (45) days.

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Lake Ashton Community Development District - Request for Proposals Restaurant Services

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