Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot this week introduced an ordinance providing for 10 new concession agreements at O’Hare International Airport (ORD) for new automated, low-touch vending machines and services.
The agreements follow a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) issued in July 2020 in which small and diverse firms were encouraged to submit proposals. The agreements will reach an Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (ACDBE) goal of 32 percent, exceeding the 10 percent level mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The automated, low-touch amenities include the already announced Micro Marts with Amazon’s “Just Walk Out” technology and operated by Hudson News. The cashier-less retail concessions give passengers the option to enter, browse and pay for pre-packaged food and merchandise without interacting with a sales associate for increased health and safety.
The agreements also call for the introduction of nine vending machines to be located throughout Terminals 1, 2 and 3 in the concourse and baggage claim areas and will operate on a 24- hour basis. Selected concessionaires are MAG USA, Prepango, PepsiCo, Best Vending Midwest, Oops Diapers 2Go, TFG Swyft Ventures, Nuts on Clark, Inc., Good Vibrations, BodyCharger Systems, and Compass Group USA.
Additionally, HMSHost will sublease the three domestic baggage claim coffee location to Café DesCartes Company, a 100 percent ACDBE Chicago-based business in operation since 1998.
