OTG Management and United Airlines are looking to revamp concessions at George Bush Intercontinental (IAH).
“Our OTG team is excited about working with United to transform the airline’s terminals at George Bush Intercontinental Airport into a hot spot for wonderful food and great shopping,” says Rick Blatstein, CEO of OTG. “This will be a brand-new airport experience for Houston travelers, including restaurants inspired by local chefs, the addition of modern amenities such as iPads, redesigned gate areas and world-class shopping. We are thrilled to be part of this partnership.”
OTG will operate food, beverage and retail in Terminal B South, Terminal C and Terminal E. The revamp will include new restaurants featuring notable local chefs, iPads with the company’s Flo technology, farm-to-table offerings and local markets. Some new concepts have opened in Terminal E, including CIBO Express Gourmet Market and Republic Grille.
Most of the changes, including several chef-driven concepts, will be in the new C North Concourse, which won’t open until 2017. Chef Roland Laurenzo will have a Taqueria. Chef Ryan Pera will open Coltivare, which will offer seasonal pizzas using Gulf Coast ingredients. Chef John Nguyen will open Cajun Kitchen, which combines Cajun seafood with Vietnamese elements. Chef Monica Pope will create a Panini Bar. Finally, Chef Chris Shepherd will open a Houston-themed tavern called Underbelly.
“United is pleased to bring this industry-leading airport experience concept to our Houston hub,” says Gavin Molloy, vice president of corporate real estate for United. “The collaboration with OTG will provide exceptional food, beverage and retail options with the comfort and high-tech amenities that travelers today want.”
Along with the new array of concepts, OTG will roll out almost 8,000 iPads in all three terminals. They will have OTG’s 2U feature, which enables travelers to order food, retail and other amenities on the iPad and have them delivered. Plus, the company has teamed up with United to increase benefits for their MileagePlus members, allowing them to use miles to buy things at the CIBO Express Gourmet Markets. That feature will be added to more locations in the coming months.
