Well the article also clearly states that there will be "other suppliers" and that "volume will depend on cost"

That sounds to me like stations without a chelsea facility will likely continue to use who they use... and it also sounds like they are leaving themselves room to increase or decrease use of Chelsea depending on cost. I don't see how Chelsea could cost MORE than the independent contractors though.

The real question is whether or not the UA budget constraints on meals will change to match the old CO, or if CO will drop down to the UA level (which I imagine would produce a MUCH MUCH lower cost) or if they will meet somewhere in between.

I'm sure gate gourmet, LSG Sky Chefs, and AirFayre could produce the same quality that Chelsea does if UA would give them the budget and specifications to do so. LSG does a fantastic job with LH F meals...