I thank Douglas Volk for raising concerns about future restaurant offerings at Maine Turnpike service plazas (“Chick-fil-A has no place on the Maine Turnpike,” July 29). I want to clarify that no decisions have been made at this time.

We are in the early stages of renegotiating our contract with Applegreen, the vendor that operates all five of our service plazas. While Applegreen holds agreements with several national brands, including Chick-fil-A, Panera, Shake Shack, Subway, Popeyes and others, no proposal has been submitted, and no specific restaurants have been selected.

There are many possibilities for new vendors, and we are carefully considering a wide range of options. When a proposal is brought forward, it will undergo a thorough review.

Our priority is ensuring that any vendors operating on the Maine Turnpike reflect the values of this state, including respect and inclusion for all. We are also committed to offering healthy food choices and accommodations for dietary needs, such as allergies or restrictions.

We appreciate public interest in this process and will continue to provide updates as it moves forward.

André Briere
Executive Director, Maine Turnpike Authority
Portland