Fraport USA and Nashville International Airport, Tennessee, have unveiled their plans for a new concessions program at the airport, with a roster to celebrate popular local concepts such as Biscuit Love, Prince’s Hot Chicken, ACME Feed and Seed, Tootsies, Slim and Husky’s, Parnassus and Draper James in the mix.
Fraport USA is leading the development and management of 133,000ft² of concessions space at the airport starting this month through January 2029. For the airport’s 16 million annual passengers, the reimagined program will emphasize local flavor and flare.
Ben Zandi, president and CEO of Fraport USA, said, “We have a vision to bring the heart and soul of the region to the concessions program at Nashville International Airport.
“After months of planning, recruitment and outreach, including reviews of more than 430 RFP responses, we celebrate the launch of what will be an iconic concessions program at Nashville airport – one that emphasizes participation by local restaurateurs and retailers and includes unprecedented opportunities for small, minority, and woman-owned businesses.
“These local innovators and independent operators will transform the airport environment and provide travelers with a truly authentic Nashville experience.”
Upon completion, the program will include more than 90 new locations of food and beverage, specialty retail, passenger services, news and gifts, and amenities. Under Fraport’s operating model, most of these will be independently owned, enabling local businesses to manage their brands and bring improved customer service to the airport.
“When we first started the process of revamping the BNA concessions program more than a year ago, we knew we wanted to create a more authentic Nashville experience for our travelers,” said Doug Kreulen, president and CEO, Nashville International Airport.
“With that goal in mind, Fraport is committed to delivering a concessions program that features a diverse array of local operators who showcase the best of our city and region. From the moment our customers enter the terminal or step foot off the plane, they will experience the sights, sounds and flavors that make Music City so distinctive.”
Interested in retail area development? Check out the ‘Commercial Development, Retail, Concessions & Media’ stream at the Passenger Terminal Conference, which takes place during Passenger Terminal Expo, on March 26, 27 and 28, 2019, in London.