Mar 23, 2017

HMSHost Arrives in New Orleans with Flair; Wins Food & Beverage Contract at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport

Exclusive new dining experiences to benefit NOLA travelers

NEW ORLEANS — Global restaurateur HMSHost will soon be serving up a world-class dining experience brimming with local eats to travelers of Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. The New Orleans Aviation Board (NOAB) has awarded HMSHost a 10-year contract to operate food & beverage spaces in the airport’s North Terminal. Sales for this new contract are projected to be $25M annually. HMSHost will bring several new dining concepts in collaboration with local partners Henry Coaxum of Coaxum Enterprises, Cheri Ausberry of Kaleidoscope Strategies and Lucky Dogs.

“New Orleans is known for its culture of creating enjoyable experiences around great food and HMSHost is so excited to be able to merge our team’s culinary passion and expertise with the great traditions of the Crescent City,” said HMSHost President & CEO Steve Johnson. “We want the world to know that the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is becoming a culinary destination too. We are committed to impressing our new partners at the airport by delivering some of the area’s most exciting food and authentic experiences to New Orleans travelers.”

\"We are very proud to be joining the HMSHost team to present a world class dining experience to travelers at the airport here in New Orleans,\" said Henry Coaxum and Cheri Ausberry. \"Our local brands along with HMSHost's national footprint will create a balanced dining program of favorite restaurants and deliver the best of New Orlean's cuisine right into the airport.\"

“I'm excited to see the addition of these incredible local and global restaurateurs, which will bring a world-class cuisine to a world-class airport. The restaurant scene in New Orleans is one-of-a-kind because it’s not just a scene, but an ingrained way of life. People travel the globe to experience the rich culture our city has created around food, and I'm proud that our airport will now reflect that,\" said Councilmember Jared C. Brossett, Chair of the Transportation and Airport Committee.

The diverse group of local restaurants and partners that HMSHost has teamed up with to rouse an authentic NOLA experience that speaks to the city’s renowned culinary arts and legendary beverage culture include Mondo with James Beard Award Winner Susan Spicer; New Orleans’ favorite establishment for modern classical cuisine; The Munch Factory which was founded by husband and wife team Jordan and Alex Ruiz in 2011; the magnet for mixology know as Cure with owners Neal Bodenheimer and Kirk Estinopal; the French Quarter’s own fabled Lucky Dogs with brothers and owners Kirk and Mark Talbot; and Emeril’s Table with internationally recognized Chef Emeril Lagasse.

HMSHost will also open national restaurants, adding a comforting touch of something familiar with Starbucks, Auntie Anne’s, The Great American Bagel, Panda Express, and Burger King.