BKBG Management Company is a Chicago-based, independent management company specializing in restaurant, hospitality, and event operations. Our brands include Subterranean and the originl Beat Kitchen, Bar Sol Mariscos and Beat Kitchen Cantina on Navy Pier, and Beat Kitchen on the Riverwalk. We also manage large-scale festivals such as Wicker Park Fest and Do Division and provide full-service catering solutions focusing on customized event menus, on-site execution, and seamless event logistics.

BKBG Management Company

BKBG Management Company is a Chicago-based, independent management company specializing in restaurant, hospitality, and event operations. Our...

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See how media in Chicago and around the country have covered BKBG Management Co., its venues and restaurants, and its people.

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Dylan Sharkey | Illinois Policy Institute (December 17, 2025)

Beat Kitchen takes Chicago to federal court

Dylan Sharkey’s reporting for Illinois Policy Institute tracks the escalation of Robert Gomez’s legal fight with the City of Chicago over the Riverwalk vendor selection process. In his continued coverage, Sharkey outlines the federal lawsuit’s core claims of rule violations, delayed bidding, and the City’s alleged use of race as a factor in awarding the concession. The story gives context around Beat Kitchen’s prior performance, financial investment, and Gomez’s FOIA efforts, while noting that the Riverwalk’s federal funding carries procurement requirements the lawsuit says were ignored.

Melody Mercado | Block Club Chicago (December 17, 2025)

Beat Kitchen Sues City, Alleging Discrimination In Riverwalk Concession Award

Melody Mercado’s reporting for Block Club Chicago follows Robert Gomez’s federal lawsuit challenging the City of Chicago’s handling of the Riverwalk concession process. The coverage details allegations that city officials privately solicited a late proposal, altered scoring, and considered race during the evaluation, raising broader questions about transparency, procurement rules, and public oversight in the awarding of city contracts.

Bob Chiarito | Chicago Sun-Times (December 16, 2025)

Beat Kitchen owner sues city of Chicago over Riverwalk restaurant, cites racial bias

Bob Chiarito’s coverage for the Chicago Sun-Times focuses on Robert Gomez’s federal civil rights lawsuit against the City of Chicago, highlighting allegations of racial bias and serious irregularities in the Riverwalk concession process. The article underscores Gomez’s claim that his timely and high-value proposal was rejected in favor of a late and significantly lower offer. Gomez told the Sun-Times his proposal committed $1.4 million in rent and revenue sharing to the City over five years, compared to the selected vendor’s $52,000 offer over three years. The story also outlines the lawsuit’s demand for a fair re-solicitation and calls for greater oversight of Riverwalk contracting.

Ally Marotti | Crain's Chicago Business (December 16, 2025)

Beat Kitchen sues Chicago over Riverwalk contract

Ally Marotti’s report for Crain’s Chicago Business covers the federal lawsuit filed by Beat Kitchen against the City of Chicago, outlining claims that the city bypassed its own procurement rules to award a Riverwalk concession. The article highlights allegations that a late vendor was privately invited to apply and scored favorably over Beat Kitchen, despite its timely and complete proposal. The story frames the case within broader questions about fairness, compliance, and public contract management.

Sonya Gugliara | Daily Mail (December 16, 2025)

Hispanic restaurant owner sues Chicago

Sonya Gugliara’s reporting for the Daily Mail and Daily Mail UK examines Robert Gomez’s federal lawsuit alleging racial discrimination in the city’s decision not to renew his Riverwalk concession, despite his proposal ranking highest under city rules. The coverage builds on earlier reporting and details claims that officials altered the bidding process to favor another vendor, raising broader concerns about transparency and procurement practices.

Jonathan Bilyk | Cook County Record (December 15, 2025)

Lawsuit: City Hall rigged Riverwalk concession review for black-owned restaurant

Jonathan Bilyk’s legal coverage for the Cook County Record and Legal Newsline outlines the constitutional and civil rights claims raised by restaurateur Robert Gomez in his federal lawsuit against the City of Chicago. The article closely examines the political and legal backdrop, highlighting allegations that Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration solicited a late proposal from a preferred vendor and manipulated scoring to favor a Black-owned business over Beat Kitchen, which had submitted the only timely and complete proposal. Bilyk underscores Gomez’s assertion that his proposal offered $1.4 million in rent and revenue sharing, compared to a fraction of that amount in the selected bid. The reporting focuses on Gomez’s claims of unlawful racial preferences, procurement misconduct, and violations of city code tied to federally funded public concessions.

Jason Knowles | WLS-TV (December 15, 2025)

Beat Kitchen owner takes Chicago to federal court after riverwalk permit denied

Jason Knowles and ABC 7’s I-Team continue their reporting on the Riverwalk lawsuit, highlighting Beat Kitchen’s federal filing and owner Robert Gomez’s claim that the City of Chicago violated federally mandated selection procedures. The segment includes Gomez’s on-camera explanation of why the case was moved to federal court, citing federal funding rules tied to the Riverwalk. The report revisits earlier coverage and underscores the lawsuit’s focus on transparency, compliance, and public accountability in vendor selection.

Paris Schutz | WFLD-TV (December 15, 2025)

Riverwalk Vendor Files Civil Rights Lawsuit

Paris Schutz’s reporting, which first broke the story in April, examines Robert Gomez’s federal lawsuit against the City of Chicago, alleging that his Riverwalk license was not renewed due to racial discrimination despite his application ranking highest under city evaluation rules. The coverage traces how that initial reporting led to broader scrutiny of procurement practices, transparency, and oversight in the city’s handling of Riverwalk concessions.

Dylan Sharkey | Illinois Policy Institute (November 17, 2025)

Riverwalk eatery gone thanks to murky Chicago rules

Dylan Sharkey's article for the Illinois Policy Institute examines how opaque city procedures and poor communication from Chicago officials cost a Riverwalk restaurateur his lease, despite high financial offers and significant personal investment. The piece highlights broader concerns about transparency, oversight, and lost public revenue.

MEDIA COVERAGE

Beat Kitchen takes Chicago to federal court

Beat Kitchen Sues City, Alleging Discrimination In Riverwalk Concession Award

Beat Kitchen owner sues city of Chicago over Riverwalk restaurant, cites racial bias

Beat Kitchen sues Chicago over Riverwalk contract

Hispanic restaurant owner sues Chicago

Lawsuit: City Hall rigged Riverwalk concession review for black-owned restaurant

Beat Kitchen owner takes Chicago to federal court after riverwalk permit denied

Riverwalk Vendor Files Civil Rights Lawsuit

Riverwalk eatery gone thanks to murky Chicago rules

Did A “Secret Committee” Shut Out A Riverwalk Vendor?

A secret committee shut out the public from Chicago’s Riverwalk

Festival staple Taste of Chicago takes over Grant Park for 45th anniversary

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Ryan Arnold

Principal, Media Relations, DeSoto & State Communications, Inc.

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