Delaware North Wins Back Syracuse Airport Dining, Retail Contract
Syracuse, N.Y. -- Buffalo’s Delaware North Cos. is taking back control of the food, beverage and retails shops at Syracuse Hancock International Airport, six years after losing them to a competitor.
Creative Food Group informed the airport last week that it plans to sell control of the shops to Delaware North in October, subject to the airport’s approval, said Jennifer Sweetland, director of marketing, communications and air service development at the airport.
The shops involved include seven in the post-security area: Middle Ages pub, Johnny Rockets, Dunkin Donuts, Jamba Juice, eSavvy Tech Shop, CNBC Smartshop and Heritage Books. The contract also covers two shops in the pre-security area of the terminal.
“It’s our understanding that this won’t have any impact on airport operations,” Sweetland told Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard in an email.
Buffalo-based Delaware North and its predecessor companies controlled the airport’s concessions for more than 20 years.
In 2013, the newly created Syracuse Regional Airport Authority put the contract out for bid. At the time, the authority said it wanted the shops expanded and upgraded to go along with the airport’s recently renovated passenger terminal.
Delaware North and Creative Food Group were the two finalists for the 15-year contract.
At the time, William Fisher, then-chairman of the authority, said both companies submitted strong proposals, but that New York City-based Creative Food Group was chosen by a 9-0 vote because it proposed to operate more concession space than did Delaware North.
Delaware operated 8,500 square feet of concession space at the airport. Creative Food Group operates almost twice that -- 15,000 square feet.
If the sale is approved by the airport, the nine shops will be operated by Delaware North.
A woman who answered the phone at Creative Food Group’s headquarters in New York City Wednesday said no one was available to comment on the company’s decision to sell its concession contract in Syracuse. Delaware North officials did not respond to requests for comment.
Delaware North describes itself as a global leader in hospitality and food service, with operating companies in the lodging, sporting, airport, gaming and entertainment industries.
Buffalo Niagara International Airport is among the many airports in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia where it operates concessions. The company has overseen the food, beverage and retail businesses at the Buffalo airport since 1952.
Rick Moriarty covers business news and consumer issues. Contact him anytime: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 315-470-3148
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