Jan 16, 2014

HMSHost Awarded Contract to Bring More “Fllavor” to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport

Tortas Frontera tops the list, with ink.sack and Gallagher’s close behind

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL — Global restaurateur HMSHost has just signed an agreement with Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) to open 25 new dining offerings in Terminals 1 and 2 over two phases. Phase One restaurants are scheduled to open in spring of 2014, and Phase Two’s are scheduled to open later in 2014 and phased through 2017. These new restaurants will welcome travelers to several exciting local and national dining favorites as a new era for the airport begins.

“We are very much looking forward to partnering with HMSHost to transition our Terminals 1 and 2 in ways that will wow our travelers,” said Kent George, Director of Aviation at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. “We have great development plans here at the airport and HMSHost’s dining program will be a significant part of that.”

HMSHost will bring traveler favorite, Starbucks, to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport for the first time. Upon completion of both airport development phases, travelers will be able to locate the delicious coffee and other popular menu items among five locations within Terminals 1 and 2.

With the first opening of Phase Two, Floridians and visiting travelers will be able to celebrate Florida’s sports history with Shula Burger, inspired by NFL Hall of Fame Coach Don Shula’s award-winning Shula’s Steak House, and Offerdahl’s Café Grill, founded by “Gridiron Griller” and Miami Dolphins linebacker John Offerdahl.

Jimmy Buffet will help travelers feel as if they’re already on vacation, with the opening of Air Margaritaville, a joint effort of HMSHost and the beloved Buffet. Air Margaritaville will not only have a diverse menu with wide appeal, it will also have a full slate of refreshing tropical drinks and a tropical aviation theme marked by a scale replica of Buffet’s flying boat.

Some of Broward County’s most prized local restaurants will also be featured in Terminals 1 and 2. HMSHost will openTarpon Bend Food & Tackle, serving the freshest local fish and other delights highly sought after in the restaurant’s downtown Fort Lauderdale location; as well as Sergio’s, with its traditional Cuban fare and ambiance so popular with South Florida’s Cuban community. Additional local restaurants that will create a sense of place in the airport include Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza, Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar and BurgerFi.

“When proposing the new restaurants we’ll be opening at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, we really wanted to offer travelers an exciting mix of diverse choices, from well-known popular national brands, to local hot spots and themed restaurants, to convenient grab-n-go venues,” said HMSHost Vice President of Business Development Renee Tedesco. “Travelers will have 25 great dining options to choose from upon completion of the second development phase—with plenty of variety to please any traveler’s palette.