WASHINGTON — DNC Parks and Resorts at Yosemite, Inc. (Delaware North), the United States of America, and Yosemite Hospitality, LLC (Aramark) have settled the lawsuit filed by Delaware North related to Delaware North’s former concession contract at Yosemite with the National Park Service (NPS), according to the NPS.
The settlement, announced by the NPS on Monday, July 15, involves the transfer of trademarks and service marks at issue in the lawsuit from Delaware North to Aramark.
Aramark became the new primary concessioner at Yosemite on March 1, 2016.
Under Aramark’s Yosemite concession contract with the National Park Service, those trademarks and service marks will transfer at no cost to the National Park Service upon the expiration or termination of Aramark’s contract.
The settlement also involves Delaware North’s transfer of various types of tangible assets (not previously purchased by Aramark) to Aramark and the National Park Service.
The historic Curry Village sign reverted back from Half Dome Village on July 15. Signs throughout the park are being changed, a process expected to take “up to several month.” according to NPS officials. (NPS photos.)
The settlement also provides for payments to Delaware North from Aramark and the United States to resolve any and all contractual disputes among the three parties arising from Delaware North’s departure as a concessioner at Yosemite and Aramark’s assumption of its Yosemite concession contract.
Specific terms of the financial agreement, including dollar amounts, were not released immediately but multiple independent sources confirm the settlement totaled $12 million.
“The National Park Service looks forward to the restoration of some of the previous names of the properties at Yosemite, including the Ahwahnee Hotel, and the resumed use of other trademarks in connection with concessioner activities at Yosemite,” stated a press release issued Monday morning by the National Parks Service announcing the settlement.
“Any changes to the current names of properties at Yosemite National Park following this settlement will be based upon a schedule to be determined by Aramark and the National Park Service.”
“This is a win for everybody,” Scott Gediman, Yosemite National Park ranger and spokesman, said Monday. “Now we’re ready to move on.”
This article was updated July 15 to include additional terms of the settlement and quote from Scott Gediman.
