The Future of Concessions at AUS

Whether you’re grabbing a coffee before your flight or picking up a gift on your way home, there’s a lot of planning that goes into the restaurants and shops you see at AUS. As Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) continues to grow, the airport is planning for how its concessions program will grow along with it.

We spoke with John Gallo, Deputy Chief of Commercial Management at AUS, about what the airport looks for in concessions vendors, how AUS is creating opportunities for local businesses and what the Concessions Master Plan means for the future of the airport.

Potential Concessions Vendors

When AUS puts out a Request for Proposal (RFP) for new concessions, there are several things the airport looks for. Vendors need to meet certain qualifications and have experience running a successful business. Gallo says, “we want to have proven businesses that have been able to be successful out on the street and within our community.”

That’s especially important when it comes to local businesses. Austin is known for its local restaurants, retailers and brands, and AUS wants to bring that local character into the airport.

Building Opportunities for Local Businesses

AUS is also looking at ways to make it easier for smaller businesses to be included at the airport. Concessions contracts can last 10 to 15 years, so these opportunities don’t come around often. With the airport currently going through a period of transition, there’s an opportunity to bring in new vendors and small businesses.

One of those opportunities will be a planned small business program, which will give smaller operators a chance to sell their products at AUS without having to open a full storefront. As Gallo puts it, “you don’t need to start with a store, but you can start with a shelf.”

The program would use pre-developed kiosks where eligible small businesses could lease space for shorter periods and sell their products at the airport through one-year contracts. That could give businesses currently selling at farmers markets or online a chance to reach a whole new group of customers.

Planning for Growth

As AUS grows, the Commercial Management team is planning ahead for new business opportunities and making sure vendors know what to expect. Gallo says his team has spent the past two years working with design partners on the airport’s new concourse and preparing for upcoming RFPs.

For Gallo, a big part of that preparation is making sure the RFP process is clear and transparent. “When you have a good RFP, people know what to expect,” he says. “There’s no secrets, there’s no nothing, everything is transparent.” This focus on transparency in the RFP allows businesses to decide whether they want to pursue an opportunity at the airport.

So where does the Concessions Master Plan fit in? Gallo said it simply: “What a Concessions Master Plan really is, is a roadmap.”

The plan helps AUS figure out what types of concessions make sense throughout the airport, whether that’s a quick-service restaurant, casual dining, a bar, a coffee shop or retail. The first phase focused on looking at the existing concessions program and figuring out what was working and what could be improved. The next phase focuses on the concessions program for the new Concourse B, helping shape what the airport’s concessions program will look like in the years ahead.

The plan looks at the details that go into making these spaces work, from kitchen sizes and menu variety to how products get into the building and how waste gets out. Gallo describes it as a “top to bottom” evaluation and roadmap for how AUS will shape its concessions program.

Creating a Sense of Place

For travelers, the plan is about more than deciding where to eat or shop. It’s also about creating a sense of place. Gallo says, “the concession program really provides a sense of place for any airport in any community.”

He describes AUS as the “front door to our city,” since the airport can be a visitor’s first impression of Austin and their last one before they leave. That makes the businesses inside the airport an important part of the experience. Gallo says the airport wants to “deliver for our community” by bringing local brands into AUS and giving them a chance to reach more travelers. The goal is to “allow our visitors to take a piece of Austin back with them, wherever they’re going.”

What’s Next for Concessions

The next major step is the RFP for Concourse B. AUS is currently finalizing locations and putting together five food and beverage packages and two retail packages for concession operators to bid on. The new concourse is expected to have approximately 30 to 40 new venues.

For businesses interested in future opportunities, the Doing Business with AUS website has information about operating a concession at the airport. AUS is also planning a second industry day in November, giving businesses and concession operators another opportunity to connect, learn more about upcoming RFPs and explore potential partnerships.

Visit the Doing Business with AUS website to learn more about opportunities, resources and how your business can become part of the future of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.