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Food Options for Airport May Expand

Posted on: Saturday, 5 November 2005, 00:00 CST

By Paul T. Rosynsky, STAFF WRITER

OAKLAND -- Oakland International Airport has become a popular takeoff point for millions of air travelers because of its low fares and relatively on-time flights.

Soon it could become known for its wide range of food and beverage options as well.

For the first time in more than 20 years, the Port of Oakland is considering changing its main concessionaire at the airport and expanding the number of places travelers can go to grab a drink or buy a book.

"I think we are behind the curve," Aviation Director Steve Grossman said. "We want more national brands and more opportunities."

Since the port hired its current concessionaire in 1984, the airport has undergone a rapid expansion, with passengers going from 4.1 million to 14.1 million a year. In that same time, its concession stands have remained static with only a few improvements or expansions.

Now with its new terminal expansion set to open next year and renovation of Terminal 1 soon after, port officials think it's time to redo the concessions.

They want more options for passengers and more recognizable chains where people can spend their cash as they wait for a flight. The new contract could earn the port up to $6 million a year, about $2 million more than the port is receiving now from CA One of Buffalo, N.Y.

During the same time, CA One has racked up more than $247 million in gross receipts, port documents show.

In addition to deciding if it wants to seek new proposals, the port's Aviation Committee will discuss how a new deal should be written, what kind of labor provisions should be included and how much of the new concessions should be awarded to local firms.

Airport staff members have suggested signing a 10-year deal with the winning firm to provide food and beverage stations. A separate five-year deal would be given to a company to construct new newsstands and bookstores.

The deals would be phased in to allow CA One to finish its current agreement, which ends in 2008.

Whoever wins the prize will have to work with two local high schools, which use two concession stands at the airport as an educational experience for students.

Source: Oakland Tribune

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