Company unveils Tootsies Orchid Lounge and Swett’s as part of airport’s $44 million renovation project
BUFFALO, N.Y. (March 12, 2008) – Delaware North Companies Travel Hospitality Services, one of the world’s leading airport food and retail providers, has unveiled new local and national concepts as part of Nashville International Airport’s $44 million renovation project.
Since July 2007, the company has welcomed the additions of such local and regional concepts as O’Charley’s, Whitt’s Barbecue, Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge and Swett’s. Travel Hospitality Services has also added national brands like Wendy’s, Villa Pizza, Manchu Wok.
“Delaware North Companies is very proud of the relationship it has built with Nashville International Airport and we’re excited to introduce these new concepts,” said Nick Biello, Delaware North Companies Travel Hospitality Services chief operating officer. “We’re committed to providing travelers flying in and out of Nashville the dining options they desire.”
Operating at 26 airports around the country, Travel Hospitality Services continues to focus on introducing local food and retail concepts. The company believes travelers should have the chance to enjoy tastes and experiences that embody an airport’s region. Those values led Travel Hospitality Services to select O’Charley’s, Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, Swett’s and Whitt’s Barbecue as recent additions to Nashville International Airport.
“Our mix of concepts at the Nashville airport is intended to provide customers with a one-of-a kind experience, reflective of the Nashville community,” Biello said.
Creating partnerships with local businesses in order to offer the airport consumer unique selections is a trend pioneered by Travel Hospitality Services. The company’s “gateway concept” transforms airports to microcosms of a city by incorporating popular local culture into the airport retail and foodservice facilities.
“O’Charley’s opened in July of last year and thanks to our strong partnership with the regional brand’s management team it has been met with great success,” Biello said. “The selection of Tootsie’s adds to the transformation of Nashville Airport into a reflection of the great city it represents.”
Later this summer, Delaware North will open an airport location of the Loveless Café, a well-known, historic Nashville café offering an authentic Southern dining experience. The Loveless story has been told the world over, from the Gourmet magazine and Bon Appetit to the Food Channel, U.S. News and World Report, CBS television and People magazine, which called Loveless’ country ham the “best in America.” The historic café also has been featured multiple times in the Best of Citysearch, Nashville. With an extensive menu and charming ambiance, Loveless Café will treat visitors of the airport to true Southern dining and hospitality at its best.
All of these additions reflect Travel Hospitality Service’s commitment to excellence and customer service. Along with introducing concepts that reflect this commitment, Travel Hospitality Services requires all associates to participate in GuestPath® training. GuestPath® is the company’s world-class, proprietary customer service approach which enables employees to deliver special experiences one guest at a time to the more than half-a-billion customers they serve annually at airports, stadiums, gaming destinations and national and state parks around the world.
The airport authority expects the recent changes being made to the airport will not only improve food service offerings, but also increase annual gross by an estimated $10.1 million a year.