Eppley Airfield Expands Dining and Retail Experience
The Omaha Airport Authority approves Concessions Program for Future Terminal as part of the Build OMA project.
Construction Updates
14 min read
Sep 17, 2024
When you travel, dining and retail options at airports are one of the most important components of the experience.
As part of the Build OMA Terminal Modernization Program, the Omaha Airport Authority approved concession leases for the future terminal at Eppley Airfield. Two concessionaire operators will open 19 new dining and retail locations including 16 post security. These locations will open with the new terminal starting in 2027.
“When we requested proposals, we had a goal of choosing a variety of concepts that reflect Omaha both in local and regional options, as well as national options for OMA travelers. Our new concessions as part of the Build OMA Terminal Modernization Program will move us forward in our vision to be the best airport in the Midwest.”
Dave Roth, Chief Executive Officer for the Omaha Airport Authority
New Concessions Coming to OMA
The two concessionaire operators selected are joint ventures led by the Hudson Group and Plum Market.
Both concessionaire operators include Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise participation through their joint venture partnerships.
The 19 dining and retail locations in the Eppley Airfield concessions program will include 17 different options with 9 that are local to Omaha. It will also feature 22 additional local brand products offered at the various dining and retail options throughout the terminal.
Hudson Group and Plum Market will manage a mixture of local and national dining and retail options including:
- Hudson News with Scooter’s – National newsstand and retail travel shop with Omaha-based national coffee
- Block 16– Local award winning farm to table street food restaurant with full service bar
- Runza – Nebraska-based regional burger and sandwich restaurant
- Panda Express – National Asian restaurant
- Chicken Guy!– National chef-driven chicken restaurantby Guy Fieri
- Starbucks– Internationally-known coffee roaster
- Uniquely Omaha – Omaha specialty retail and gift shopFeaturing: Made in Omaha, Local Makers Collective, and Four Sisters Boutique
- iPorte– National tech retailer
- Sambazon Açaí Bowls– National açaí bowl and smoothie restaurant
- Hollywood Candy– Downtown Omaha’s iconic candy shop
- Plum Market– National award winning gourmet market with full service bar
- Pitch Pizzeria– Local Italian restaurant and pizzeria with full service bar
- Blackstone Supply featuringThe Bookworm– National newsstand with local bookstore
- Hudson News– National newsstand and retail travel shop
- Fernando’s– Local Mexican restaurant with full service bar
- The Mill Coffee & Tea– Local coffee and tea shop with full service bar
- 50th Street Market– National newsstand and retail travel shop with local products
- Plum Market Grab & Go– National quick serve deli
- Hudson News with Scooter’s– National newsstand and retail travel shop with Omaha-based national coffee
Enhancing the Traveler Experience: Key Terminal Improvements
The work to expand and renovate Eppley Airfield’s terminal is projected to be completed in 2028. As part of this renovation, travelers can look forward to the following key improvements:
- Increasing the size of the terminal from 375,000 square feet to approximately 646,000 square feet.
- A single, unified concourse with a centralized Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security screening checkpoint.
- An increase to 22 arrival and departure gates, with the ability to add more in the future to accommodate growth.
- Enhanced vertical circulation for passengers with new elevators and additional escalators to improve accessibility throughout the terminal.
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Concessions gallery
FAQs
Why is the Omaha Airport Authority (OAA) announcing a new concessions program for Eppley Airfield?
The Build OMA Terminal Modernization Program (TMP) is a multi-year expansion and modernization plan of the Eppley Airfield terminal focused on enhancing the traveler’s experience while supporting the airport’s long-term growth. The terminal expansion creates space for new dining and retail options, particularly post security, where travelers are looking for options.
Why is the announcement occurring now?
When the airport’s new Central Pavilion opens in 2027, it will feature a new centralized security checkpoint and concessions space beyond security. While the new concessions announced will not open until 2027, the selected concessionaires will assume operations of the existing concessions at Eppley Airfield starting January 1, 2025 and provide continuous service through the transition of construction.
Who are the new concessionaires at Eppley Airfield?
The Eppley Airfield concessions program is split between two concessionaires. Both concessionaires will operate a mix of dining and retail locations in the Eppley Airfield terminal. The two concessionaires are Hudson Group (HG GPMM RE OMA JV, LLC) and Plum Market (Plum GPMM Tersylbran JV, LLC). Hudson Group will operate 9 concessions locations and Plum Market will operate 10 concessions locations when the TMP is complete.
How were the concessionaires selected?
The OAA began the process for planning new concessionaires in 2019 as part of the TMP design process. Over the course of 5 years, the OAA and its TMP team developed the scope of the future concessions program. In 2024, a Request for Proposals (RFP) was issued to the industry. Proposals were received and evaluated against the criteria established in the RFP including, among others, customer service, staffing, management and concept development. Joint ventures led by Hudson Group and Plum Market were selected as the best proposals to provide concessions at Eppley Airfield.
How were the Dining and Retail options selected?
The concessionaires, Hudson Group and Plum Market, proposed the various dining and retail options in their individual responses to the RFP. Concept development for the dining and retail options was one element of the evaluation criteria. Hudson Group and Plum Market will operate the dining and retail options at Eppley Airfield.
What are the new Dining and Retail options?
The concessions program will include the following options starting in 2027:
Dining: Block 16, Chicken Guy!, Fernando’s, Panda Express, Pitch Pizzeria, Plum Market, Runza, Sambazon Açaí Bowls, Scooter’s, Starbucks, and The Mill Coffee & Tea.
Retail: 50th Street Market, Blackstone Supply featuring The Bookworm, Hollywood Candy, Hudson, iPorte, and Uniquely Omaha.
What happens with airport concessions before the new options become available starting in 2027?
Hudson Group and Plum Market will assume operations of concessions at Eppley Airfield beginning January 1, 2025 and will operate from these and temporary concession spaces through the transition of TMP construction until the Central Pavilion opens in 2027.
What is the local participation in the concessions program?
Of the 17 dining and retail options in the Eppley Airfield concessions program, 9 are local to Omaha. It will also feature 22 additional local brand products offered at the various dining and retail options throughout the terminal.
How will prices be impacted for customers?
Competition between the two concessionaires will promote competitive pricing for airport customers. The Eppley Airfield concessions program also has a pricing policy that limits to no more than 10% higher than street prices on all products.
How does the new airport concessions program impact the existing airport concessionaires?
The leases with the existing Eppley Airfield concessionaires expire on December 31, 2024. The new concessionaires, Hudson Group and Plum Market, assume all airport concessions operations on January 1, 2025.
What is the disadvantaged business participation in the concessions program?
The Eppley Airfield concessions program requires participation goals with the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) program. Hudson Groups ACDBE participation is 14% and Plum Market’s ACDBE participation is 40%.
Does the airport receive revenues from the concessions program?
The OAA is a non-taxing authority and collects user fees to support the operation and maintenance of airport facilities. The concessionaires are required to pay rents to the OAA based, in part, on the revenues they generate.
Will there be employment opportunities with concessionaires at the new Dining and Retail options for Eppley Airfield?
Parties interested in working at the Dining and Retail options for Eppley Airfield can apply to work for the concessionaires, Hudson Group and Plum Market. To apply, visit their respective websites below.
Hudson Group: hudsongroup.com/careers
Plum Market: plummarkettravel.com
