HMSHost wins 10-year F&B contract at Austin–Bergstrom International Airport

HMSHost can now add Austin, Texas to the list of airports in which it operates after winning approval from the Austin City Council for a 10-year food & bever-age contract at Austin Bergstrom Inter-national Airport (ABIA) on Dec. 14.

In partnership with D.C. Garrett Group, HMSHost will operate nine new locations in the airport’s new internation-al terminal, bringing a variety of local and national favorites to travelers in the Texas capital.

This is the first time that HMSHost is operating in the airport.

HMSHost plans to open the Austin City Kitchen at ABIA, which it describes as “the airport industry’s first true live action food hall kitchen.” The food court will be anchored by Austin’s iconic Torchy’s Tacos plus locations of Noble Sandwich Co., Sushi-A-Go-Go, a Hardies Fresh Foods market, and a taproom by Austin Beerworks called The Beer Drop, where travelers can educate themselves on craft beer from Austin’s most popular brewery. There will be a stage for live music at the food court, featuring a rotating selection of local Austin musicians.

Across from Austin City Kitchen will be Austin’s iconic chef-inspired 24 Diner by ELM Restaurant Group. At the end of the terminal, HMSHost will open the Parkside gastropub, a downtown East Sixth Street staple created by Chef Shawn Cirkiel.

“We couldn’t be more excited to be entering the diverse and vibrant city of Austin with this new partnership with the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport,” said HMSHost President and CEO Steve Johnson. “We’re very much looking forward to bringing travelers a dynamic mix of local restaurants and dining experiences that truly reflect Austin, and we thank the airport for this great opportunity.”

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is undergoing a terminal expansion project to add nine more gates to keep pace with increasing passenger traffic and to prepare for the future growth of air service to the rapidly growing area.

The current Barbara Jordan Terminal at ABIA is designed to serve 11 million passengers annually. In 2016, a record high 12.4 million passengers traveled through the airport.

The expansion project will increase the airport’s capacity to 15 million passengers annually. It is anticipated that it will be at least 2025 before that level of passenger traffic is reached.

At its Dec. 4 meeting, the Austin City Council also approved 15 other conces-sions contracts for ABIA. Paradies Lagardère was awarded contracts for four retail operations and one food and beverage location. Delaware North won contracts for five F&B and retail locations. The Council also approved retail contracts for ABIA Duty Free, operated by EJE CVG, LLC., tech store InMotion, and a James Avery artisan jewelry store.

A Vino Volo winebar and local coffee shop Fara Café were approved.