Coachella 2025: Food and Drink Service Faces Shake-Up After Vendor Scandal

Coachella 2025 kicks off tomorrow, and while the music lineup is making headlines, there's another storyline you may want to keep an eye on—one that could impact your festival experience directly.

Levy Restaurants, the food and beverage provider for Coachella, is running the show solo this year. That’s because they’ve cut ties with a subcontractor, BBC, formerly operated by Dirk Alton. NBC Palm Springs previously broke the story that Alton’s company failed to pay many workers during past festivals—some of whom were owed thousands of dollars.

The issue? Alton reportedly had severe financial troubles. Every time Levy sent him money intended for staff wages, the IRS seized it due to his outstanding liabilities. After learning that employees were going unpaid, Levy made the decision to cut him out entirely.

This year, Levy is managing operations in-house. While that might sound like a streamlined solution, it comes with challenges. A festival the size of Coachella is a massive undertaking, and food service isn’t Levy’s core specialty.

So what does this mean for festivalgoers? Expect the possibility of longer lines, slower service, and unexpected shortages—especially when it comes to water and food at peak times. It’s not a guarantee, but if things get bumpy, now you’ll know why.

Meanwhile, attention will also be on Weezer, scheduled to perform just days after bassist Scott Shriner's wife, Jillian Lauren, who was shot by police and charged with attempted murder. With emotions high and logistics under strain, it could be an unpredictable opening weekend in Indio.

Explore: NBCPalmSprings.com, where we are connecting the Valley.