KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - The food concessions provider for Kauffman Stadium and the Kansas City Convention Center has announced it will lay off more than 550 workers at both venues as efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus disrupt business.
Food services contractor Aramark recently notified state regulators of the layoffs, the Kansas City Star reported. Most will take place at Kauffman Stadium, home of the Kansas City Royals.
The Royals did play in the stadium this year, but did not allow fans in light of the corornavirus pandemic. Aramack said in the notice that the pandemic continued to present "unprecedented disruption to our business."
The company will lay off 512 hourly employees and eight salaries workers at the stadium, while another 48 hourly workers will have their hours cut. At the convention center, it will lay off 57 employees and cut the hours of 10 others.
Aramark spokesman David Freireich said the company expects the cuts to be temporary.
"Unfortunately, like other companies and industries across the economy impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, we have had to make some very difficult decisions," Freireich said. "Due to limitations on attendance at baseball games and conventions, we had no choice but to modify staffing levels at these locations."