Before unanimously approving an out-of-town business as the new concessionaire at the Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater, Peachtree City officials felt they had some explaining to do.

That’s because the only other entity that submitted a proposal was local restaurant Mike and C’s. But the proposal from Maguire’s Family and Friends restaurant in Senoia won out because it offered a larger percentage of sales to be returned to the amphitheater, 15 percent as opposed to the 10 percent suggested by Mike and C’s.

Also, Maguire’s was willing to serve different types of alcohol at The Fred along with beer and wine, while Mike and C’s was only interested in serving beer and wine.

Maguire’s will be in charge of food and drink service at the amphitheater during the entire concert season this year.

Amphitheater Manager Nancy Price said requests for proposals were submitted to all businesses in the county that had alcohol licenses. But only five came to a pre-proposal meeting, she added.

Council also is expected to vote on awarding concession management services for the Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater concert season to Maguire’s Family and Friends from Senoia.

According to a city staff memo, Maguire’s scored higher in the city’s evaluation process in part because its plan included marketing plans to maximize sales potential of the picnic and gold table patrons.

“The difference is just too significant no matter that all of us want to keep it local,” said Councilman Doug Sturbaum.