Sep 6, 2016

HMSHost Wins Restaurant Contract at Raleigh-Durham International Airport

Whisky River and more new dining options coming soon

Morrisville, NC — More dining options will soon welcome travelers at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Global restaurateur HMSHost, in partnership with JQ Enterprises, Inc., was recently awarded a new eleven-year contract valued at $66 million to operate new airport dining spaces in Terminal 2, Concourse D through 2027. Among the new offerings coming to travelers beginning this fall and into late 2017 is Dale Jr’s Whisky River, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, and a new Starbucks® store.

“HMSHost is excited to continue our partnership with Raleigh-Durham International Airport to deliver an excellent variety of food and beverage options to travelers for many years to come,” said HMSHost Vice President of Business Development Bryan Loden. “We are thrilled to grow with the airport in Terminal 2 and open some great new restaurants including North Carolina favorite, Whisky River.”

“The Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority is excited to continue working with HMSHost in offering quality concepts and brands that our customers trust,” said President and Chief Executive Officer Michael Landguth. “The addition of these restaurants enables us to provide the world-class level of service our customers deserve.”

With the upcoming opening of Dale Jr’s Whisky River at Raleigh-Durham International Airport, HMSHost expanded its partnership with Dale Earnhardt Jr. to open this second airport location for the restaurant. For years, Whisky River has been a favorite place for North Carolina fun-seekers to hang out and enjoy great food, music, and drinks. Now this same vibe and down-to-earth sense of place is something travelers at Raleigh-Durham International Airport will have a chance to experience.

In addition to simple, yet craveable dishes, Raleigh-Durham travelers will find a rustic décor and ambiance complete with an eye-catching wall of belt buckles and patio area with large communal tables flanking a model bull named Junebug, a nod to Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s nickname.

Travelers in Terminal 2 will also soon find great to-go food with a new Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen and Starbucks® store. In addition to these new offerings, HMSHost will continue to operate existing traveler favorites at Raleigh-Durham International Airport including 42nd Street Oyster Bar, ACC American Café, Brookwood Farms Carolina Pit BBQ, Carolina Ale House, Carolina Vintages, and multiple Starbucks® store locations. A complete list of HMSHost-operated locations at Raleigh-Durham International Airport is available at this link here.