The nearly nine million visitors who fly in and out of Orange County each year will have the chance to sample more fare from locally based restaurants under terms of a new food-service contract at John Wayne Airport.
The Orange County Board of Supervisors last week stuck with incumbent Bethesda, Md.-based HMSHost Corp. for a 10-year deal. The move to revamp the restaurant mix at the airport is part of a $543 million expansion that includes a new terminal and other improvements set to finish late this year.
The plan from HMSHost, part of Italy’s Autogrill SPA, includes a number of locally based restaurants, including: Irvine-based burger chain Ruby’s Diner Inc.; Tustin-based Zov’s Bistro Inc.; Santa Ana’s Jerry’s Wood-Fired Dogs; and Newport Beach’s Javier’s Cantina & Grill.
The HMSHost proposal also calls for a restaurant based on the Anaheim Ducks hockey franchise, an eatery that will offer seasonal foods from the Laguna Culinary Institute, and a bar named for local surfing legend Hobie Alter. And the company plans to add national chains such as California Pizza Kitchen, Pinkberry and Pei Wei.
HMS’ bid won out over one from Delaware North Cos. of Buffalo, N.Y.
Delaware North’s proposal also had a local flavor, with Santa Ana-based Wahoo’s Fish Taco and a John Wayne-themed bar and grill among others.
Several supervisors indicated that a larger presence of locally based eateries in the HMSHost bid played a role in their decision.
The selection came after a lengthy competition between the bidders, and money also was a factor. HMSHost won with an offer to pay $39 million in rent over the 10-year contract. Delaware North increased its bid to $34 million before the final vote.
Ruby’s Chief Executive Doug Cavanaugh called the bidding a “friendly competition” among local rivals. The win gives his chain a chance to bolster its airport concessions significantly. The 1940s-themed chain already has four airport restaurants, including one at Los Angeles International. The one planned for John Wayne is expected to be among its largest at 5,000 square feet. The chain’s other airport restaurants are about half that size.
Plans for a John Wayne Ruby’s are to offer full service on one side and fast food service on the other with a to-go window.
The Ruby’s at John Wayne also calls for a full bar. It would be one of two Ruby’s airport restaurants with a full bar along with the one at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston.
Cavanaugh declined to offer projected sales for a John Wayne restaurant.
The Business Journal estimates annual revenue for Ruby’s at about $120 million with 42 restaurants, mostly in Southern California.
