Areas USA has won a contract to operate 10 new restaurants in both the East and West Concourses at William P. Hobby Airport (HOU). The contract will generate an estimated $470 million in total revenue over the 10-year term and produce $104 million for Houston Airports, the company said.
Areas will invest approximately $19 million to revitalize 19,000 square feet of food and beverage space, representing half of the airport’s total concessions space.
“The new concessions package brings together an all-star list of fantastic dining concepts that includes well-known Houston restaurants and national brands,” said Jim Szczesniak, Chief Operating Officer for Houston Airports. “Houston Airports is relentless in our quest to make our passengers happy. I am confident these new concessions will elevate the already incredible experience guests of Hobby Airport have come to expect from the first and only 5-Star airport in North America.”
Under the contract, Areas will develop 10 local concepts including dining landmarks Killen’s Barbeque, The Spot and SpindleTap Brewery. The new food and beverage program will also feature national brands like Starbucks and Yard House. Areas brings four experienced joint venture partners to the operations, a group of local operators who together exceed the airport’s minority participation requirement. The partners include Alliance Hospitality Group, Multiplex Inc., Creative Concourse Concessions, and Cediel Management Concessions.
Areas is responsible for one of two food and beverage concession contracts at HOU. In January 2023 Houston City Council gave final approval to LaTrelles Galley, for a 10-year agreement projected to generate as much as $74 million in revenue for Houston Airports. Areas will begin transitioning into the HOU concessions program later this year, with all concepts open for business by November 2024.
“We are excited to partner with the City of Houston and Houston Airports to bring a distinctive program that complements the city’s culinary virtues and ethnic diversity,” said Carlos Bernal, CEO of Areas. “Travelers to William P. Hobby Airport will be delighted by an exceptional lineup of concepts, which represent the essence of the city’s greatness.”
