The Hillsborough County Aviation Authority Board approved 11 concession contracts Thursday for Tampa International (TPA).
The contract packages will lead to 65 new shops, restaurants, kiosks and bars in the airport.
The decision comes after months of research and evaluation by TPA’s concessions and procurement departments, public outreach and scoring by selection committees.
In choosing which concessionaires should be awarded contracts, TPA considered one of the main goals of its Concessions Redevelopment Program, which is to bring more local flavor into the airport. To reflect this, more than 40 percent of the food and beverage part of the program will be devoted to local brands.
Some of those brands that won contracts are RumFish Grill, Buddy Brew Coffee, Alessi Bakery, Burger 21, Four Green Fields, Ducky’s, Ulele, Louis Pappas, Bavaro’s Pizza, the Columbia Restaurant, Bella’s, New York, New York Pizza, Sono Cafe, Cigar City Brewing and Goody Goody.
Other concepts coming to the airport are the Hard Rock Cafe, the Home Shopping Network’s Travelsmith store and the Starbucks Evening Cafe. TPA also hopes to have vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free menus at almost all restaurants. Plus, touch-screen tablets are to be installed for ordering and check-out.
In addition, the Concessions Redevelopment Program looked to create more Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise partnerships. With the approval of these contracts, TPA’s ACDBE participation is increasing from three companies to 15. Of those 15, 12 are from the Orlando/Tampa/Sarasota area.
“I’m extremely proud of the Tampa International Airport staff and aviation authority board members who worked so hard to bring this incredible program to life,” says Joe Lopano, CEO of Tampa International. “I have no doubt that the final results will be amazing and that all who visit Tampa International Airport from around the world will agree.”
Construction on the new concessionaires will begin at the airsides in July and continue in phases. The program should be completed and in operation by the end of 2017.
