NORFOLK — The Norfolk Airport Authority announced it has chosen a trio of hospitality and retail firms to support Norfolk International Airport (ORF) in a transformation of its dining and shopping amenities beginning in 2026.
The authority said Swiss-based concessionaire Avolta is in negotiations to renew its longstanding relationship to operate nearly a dozen new and existing food, beverage and retail locations throughout ORF’s Arrivals and Departures terminals and two concourses.
Separately, the authority said Faber, Coe & Gregg is also in negotiations to run several locations at ORF, including a future food court and a central bar located within a three-gate expansion of Concourse A that is set to open this coming spring.
“As this airport continues to grow in passenger volume and nonstop routes, we recognize the importance of improving our concessions program to give our customers the best experience possible, as well as to maximize revenue generated through non-aviation sources,” said Mark Perryman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Norfolk Airport Authority. “Our selectees have presented us with some fantastic proposals that we believe will strongly resonate with visitors and locals alike. We look forward to seeing these offerings open beginning early next year.”
All proposals are subject to successful negotiations with their operators, the authority noted. The changeout will occur in phases to ensure travelers have access to a wide variety of options while select locations are under renovation. Details on those timelines will be available in the near future.
The authority said both Avolta and Faber, Coe & Gregg presented plans that would include locally-themed brand concepts or products accounting for 40% or more of projected revenue. While the specifics may change from those initially presented, the authority said dining and shopping offerings will feature well-known national brands and local favorites.
From COVA Brewing Co. and Ghost Kitchen to The Stockpot and Warriors Taphouse, the authority said Hampton Roads residents will instantly recognize the appeal of ORF’s proposed new food & beverage lineup. Pale Horse Coffee, Pinup Coffee Co. and Town Center Cold Pressed are also among the local businesses whose products are aligned with the Avolta and Faber, Coe & Gregg proposals.National brands under consideration include Baskin-Robbins ice cream, Bojangles, Buffalo Wild Wings, Dunkin’, Jimmy John’s, Rusty Taco, Starbucks and Pei Wei. News and gift options are set to include the likes of Faber on the Fly and Hudson.
In fiscal 2024/2025, the authority said 5.5% of airport revenue came through the sale of food, beverage and retail products, adding the airport is not supported by local tax revenue and funds its operations through the sale of goods and services provided onsite at ORF.
The authority added it intends for all future concessions to charge customers prices that are no more than 10% above what they would pay for the same product or service at an off-airport location.
For nearly three decades, the authority said all the concessions at ORF have been managed under separate master contracts with HMSHost and Hudson. The two businesses came under joint ownership in 2023 to form Avolta. With both contracts set to expire June 30, the authority released a Request for Proposal last spring for food, beverage, retail and vending services. The authority stipulated that successful applicants would need to
lean heavily into the inclusion of local brands to foster a sense of place that reflects
the airport’s Coastal Virginia setting.
A separate RFP was held this earlier year to decide the operator of a new food & beverage
location at the east end of Concourse B. Construction recently began on 200 Sack Club, a sports-themed bar and grill. Its Dallas-based developer, The Playmakers Group, reached a licensing agreement with Pro Football Hall of Fame member Bruce Smith — the high school football star from Norfolk who settled in Virginia Beach after his NFL career. Smith, a member of the Norfolk Airport Authority Board of Commissioners, was not involved in the process.
