By Barbara Hoberock, Oklahoma Voice
OKLAHOMA CITY – State park restaurants have been closed following a contract dispute with the vendor, officials announced Tuesday.
Officials with the Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation said they made the decision to close The Lookout Kitchen restaurants because the vendor owes the state $254,943, hasn’t supplied required records and still must provide a $500,000 surety bond or letter of credit, according to a letter made public by the agency.
“Please note that until such time that your client has taken care of the gross receipt remittances and reporting listed above, OTRD is unable to execute or negotiate any change in the monthly payment amount,” the letter said.
Brian Buswell, an attorney for RPW ENT LLC, which operates The Lookout Kitchen, said they were “currently negotiating with the state” on those issues. He said couldn’t comment further.
The company had operated restaurants at Beavers Bend, Lake Murray, Robbers Cave, Roman Nose, Quartz Mountain and Sequoyah state parks.
State officials said the restaurants will be closed until further notice.
Sterling Zearley, the agency’s executive director, on Tuesday declined a request for an interview.
The agency said in a statement that it was working to minimize disruptions to park operations and provide alternative food options, such as grab and go sandwiches, snacks and drinks. It was also looking into the use of food trucks, the agency said.
In 2022, the agency canceled its contract with Swadley’s Foggy Bottom Kitchen.
The company had been hired to redesign, rebuild and revitalize the six restaurants
In 2024, the state’s multicounty grand jury indicted three people, including Swadley’s founder Ronald Brent Swadley, in connection with the controversial state contract to operate park restaurants. They were charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud the state and five counts of presenting false or fraudulent claims against the state.
The three have pleaded not guilty, and a trial date has been set for Nov. 3, according to court records.
The Lookout Kitchen was awarded the state park restaurant contracts following the dispute with Swadley’s.
