Company History
An American Success Story
Concessions International, LLC is an Atlanta-based company that has been in the airport concessions business since 1979. CI began as a disadvantaged business enterprise (DBE) with three owners. In 1999, Mr. Herman J. Russell, purchased his founding partners’ interests making CI a family-owned company. Over the past three decades, CI has grown from a one-unit company to one with operations throughout the United States and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
1979 – West Coast Beginning
Concessions International’s first airport experience was as a subtenant operating a food and beverage concession in the International Terminal of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). After five years of successful operations in the LAX International Terminal, CI was selected to operate all food and beverage concessions in the new Tom Bradley International Terminal. The Bradley Terminal, which opened in June of 1984, serves most of LAX’s international carriers. Concessions International operated in LAX through December of 1996.
1980’s – Growth as a DBE
In 1984, CI won its first attempt at an independent bid. Concessions International entered into an agreement to sublease space at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport to operate a specialty food store. This facility featured hand-dipped ice cream; as well as fresh baked cookies, muffins, croissants and other dessert items. Concessions International operated this facility for twelve years.
In 1986, Concessions International began operating two food and beverage facilities and one gift and news store at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Both food and beverage facilities were full-service cafeterias featuring a variety of hot and cold entrees, snacks, beverages, and dessert items daily.
In May 1987, Concessions International designed, built, and began operating a 225-seat restaurant/bar facility within the Orlando International Airport. This facility was designed to reflect the ambiance of Central Florida and meet the needs of Orlando's unique mix of passengers.
In November of 1990, Concessions International began operating all food and beverage services at the new Cyril E. King Airport in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. These facilities offer a variety of food and beverage services to the St. Thomas traveler.
In 1993, Concessions International kept expanding its Sea-Tac operations to include one branded burger franchise, three Seattle's Best Coffee franchises, and two additional gift and news shops.
In 1993, Concessions International was awarded three food and beverage facilities at the new Denver International Airport. CI currently operates nine locations within this airport including two Panda Express facilities, two bars, a coffee concept, a deli and 3 dessert concepts.
Since 1994, CI has been competing as a prime contractor. That year, CI won itsfirst multiple facility contract including three bars and three Wendy’s franchises at Portland International Airport. The company currently operates three Wendy's restaurants in this airport.
In 1995, CI was awarded the prime contract at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. CI currently operates more than 30 facilities along with its subtenants. Our concepts within this airport include Sweetwater Drafthouse Bar & Grill, Wendys, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Budweiser Brewhouse, Sam Adams Toasts Atlanta, Miller Victory Lane, Houlihan’s, Wall St. Deli, Charley’s Steakery and three Paschal’s Restaurants.
In May of 1995, Concessions International was awarded space at Dallas Ft. Worth International Airport to operate a Old Fashioned Hamburger facility, which opened in December of 1997.
In August of 1995, Concessions International also began operating a Coffee & Tea facility in Orlando International Airport.
In September of 1996, Concessions International opened a Wendy’s restaurant in the Central Terminal Building at LaGuardia Airport, New York.
In October of 1997, Concessions International was awarded the contract to provide food and beverage at Eagle County Regional Airport.
In November 1997, Concessions International began operations of a Bain's Deli in Concourse B at the Philadelphia International Airport.
In 1999, further development resulted at Sea-TAC International Airport with a second Burger King location, a gourmet deli and two Botanica Frozen Tea Infusion operations.
In 2000 a co-branded See’s Candy/ Dreyer’s Ice Cream operation opened at Sea-TAC International Airport.
In June of 2000, Concessions International was awarded a prime contract to provide food and beverage concessions in the New Midfield Terminal at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport. Concessions International operates several facilities including a grille and deli, a full service bars and a variety of quick service concepts. Our operations opened in December of 2001. These operations include Einstein’s, Diego’s Mexican Cantina and A&W. CI also operates three Caribou Coffee Cafés, which are popular in the Midwest.
In 2006, CI had multiple contract awards. CI was awarded a contract to operate eight within the Miami International Airport. The first of these facilities, including a Nathan’s Famous, have opened with additional locations scheduled to open through 2011. CI was also awarded three new contracts at Denver International Airport for three Colorado based concepts: the New Belgium Hub Bar & Grill; Dazbog Coffee; and Heidi’s Brooklyn Deli.
CI also took over operations for all of the food and beverage concessions at Columbia Metropolitan Regional Airport. CI developed a new pre-security location and designed a food court post security. In addition to featuring national brands, Coffee Beanery and Edy’s ice Cream, CI’s Columbia operation include Groucho’s Deli, a popular local concept.
Concessions International has firmly established itself as a major player in airport concessions. Concessions International has completed its operations in the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Orlando International Airport, Philadelphia International Airport, LaGuardia International Airport, and its gift and news operations in Seattle.
Today’s airport concessions environment is constantly changing and Concessions International understands that keeping up with those changes and taking care of its guests requires a strong infrastructure and careful planning. Over the years, the success has been based on providing the right mix of outstanding food quality, variety, reasonable prices, proactive facility management style and commitment to customer satisfaction. The company’s family of employees, managers, subtenants and partners are the right mix of many cultures, backgrounds and skill levels that continuously positions CI to move competitively into the future. CI’s extensive industry experience has prepared it to compete for new contracts, continue steady growth and be the airport concessions employer of choice while maintaining a strong commitment to value and service.
The legacy continues….