South Bend Chocolate Company files lawsuit against South Bend International Airport over rebidding process dispute

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- There's a legal war brewing between two well-known Michiana favorites - the South Bend Chocolate Company and the South Bend International Airport.

The Chocolate Company is suing SBN for choosing a different out of state master vendor for food, drink and other concessions at the airport.

South bend Chocolate Company has been the sole concession provider at the airport for a little more than a decade.

But with this recent friction, that relationship could be headed for a split.

South Bend Chocolate Company's founder and president Mark Tarner held a Wednesday morning news conference to discuss the lawsuit.

Among many concerns he listed, one of them is a lack of room for negotiation.

"My experience with the airport authority, not the airport authority, the staff, it's their way or the highway. No negotiations, it looks like this was pre-determined, and I was the only one who didn't know it," said Tarner.

In late February, the airport announced Sky Dine as its new master concessionaire starting June first, one day after the Chocolate Company's contract ends.

Sky Dine specializes in concessions at similar-sized airports around the country, and its initial renderings include Dunkin' Donuts, Jimmy John's, and South Bend-based "The Lauber."

The airport responded to Tarner's lawsuit with a statement, reading in part, "SBN continues to see record passenger levels. While not required, officials at SBN conducted a formal, fair, and transparent request for proposals (RFP) process to reimagine and expand concession offerings that would best serve the traveling public."

ABC57 asked Tarner if this situation potentially could put things at risk for the Chocolate Company, and he made his thoughts very clear.

"Yes. It's 4.7 million dollars. Without a doubt. It also puts future business at risk."

Tarner said he's not someone who enjoys getting involved in legal battles, and he isn't sure what may happen with this standoff.

"I don't know what the outcome is, I can't read other people's minds, and I can't foretell the future, but I can tell you this, I performed better than an out of state multiple vendors before, and I can again. The airport screams local, and the fact that they aren't really helping locals," said Tarner.

As far as next steps, Tarner says he and the South Bend Chocolate Company are filing an injunction.

The airport, meanwhile, has filed a motion to have the lawsuit dismissed.