Omaha Eppley Airfield - DISCUSSION

[Padre]

Call me old fashioned, but I like that the Bookworm got a bookstore slot. I also like that you can still get coffee at Scooters before security, so you can sit and chat with someone, before they get on a flight.

[Padre]

When is the expected opening date for these restaurants? 2026? 2027? Hopefully before the terminal is completely done.

On the post it says 2027/2028.

[Brad]

Great lineup!

[skinzfan23]

When is the expected opening date for these restaurants? 2026? 2027? Hopefully before the terminal is completely done.

On the post it says 2027/2028.

Thanks, totally missed that. I figured it would be near the end of the modernization.

[Greg S]

Call me old fashioned, but I like that the Bookworm got a bookstore slot. I also like that you can still get coffee at Scooters before security, so you can sit and chat with someone, before they get on a flight.

I agree, or grabbing one when I get back on a morning flight.

Is Level 1 I assume an area before you go through security?

And I agree with others, this is an absolutely fantastic lineup and huge upgrade. Just wish it would happen sooner. Wow. I could not be more impressed.

Greg

[nativeomahan]

This will be a sea change in terms of restaurant/ coffee/ liquor offerings.

[Mr.Nuke]

Also, another solid month for airport: up 6.9% for August and 6.8% YTD

https://www.flyoma.com/wp-content/uploa ... istics.pdf

[Omaha Cowboy]

Super exciting news for the Airport..

It takes OMA up another level or 2..

Fantastic …

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Mr.Nuke]

That’s a pretty incredible mix of local spots. Thrilled to finally have Runza at the airport, but also surprising to see the likes of Block 16 and Pitch!

This is still likely going to come down to who actually got the concession contract for a multitude of reasons. Per the RFP process someone did want to work with local restaurants. Is it one of the big national players? If so, they're likely merely licensing the names. Is it someone local like Riegel? If so I have some long-term doubts there based on 30 years of crappy history. This has the potential to be successful, but I'd still like to know who his actually behind it before getting overly enthused.

When is the expected opening date for these restaurants? 2026? 2027? Hopefully before the terminal is completely done.

From the RFPs it is staggered as construction allows them to open, most of that is going to be near the end. Whoever got this overall contract had been slated to take over concessions in January. Depending on who that is and what their capabilities are you could see some fairly quick near-term changes in the post security dining and potentially food courts, the later is a little more iffy from the RFPs.

[nativeomahan]

It’s interesting how most none of the existing chains/locals are sticking around once the expansion is completed. Not that I’m complaining.

[Bearcat06]

Couldn't love this more....this is exactly what I was hoping to see!!! Getting the NE and local flair for fast food with Runza. But adding Block 16, Pitch and Fernando's are all solid Omaha eateries as well.

Also noticed that Hollywood Candy has a spot as well.

This is a fantastic lineup. Way better than I expected with leaving out places like, Chick Fil A, McDonalds and Qdoba/Chipotle that are in all the major airports. Local options are awesome. Wonder if this will help bring Chicken Guy to Omaha outside the airport to compete with Raising Canes.

[Mr.Nuke]

It’s interesting how most none of the existing chains/locals are sticking around once the expansion is completed. Not that I’m complaining.

I'm not the RFP was pretty specific in what the airport wanted proposed.

[Bob from Omaha]

Wow. Nice. I was surprised that Plum Market is one of the new vendors. They are based in Michigan and around here they are an upscale grocery store. Here's a link Plum Locations. Interestingly they are in OAK, DUL, DFW and DTW, among other locations.

I'm going out on a limb and say that the company that won the contract is High Flying Foods. I say that because they are in the Oakland & DFW airports, among many others. I could be totally wrong. The lineup has a nice mix of local & chains but when it's all said & done I expect Runza to be the busiest.

[Bellevue Kid]

From the BuildOMA website,

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.

[Mr.Nuke]

From the BuildOMA website,

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.

Good find they also have conceptual images of some of the spaces.

[skinzfan23]

The lineup has a nice mix of local & chains but when it's all said & done I expect Runza to be the busiest.

Probably true. Without being a layover airport, most people just don't have a ton of time to sit down and enjoy a full meal. I know when I have flown, by the time I get through security we usually have only had 30 min or so before boarding begins, so a quick meal is nice in that situation. Thankfully Block 16 should be able to deliver a quick meal too that is unique.

[Mr.Nuke]

The lineup has a nice mix of local & chains but when it's all said & done I expect Runza to be the busiest.

Probably true. Without being a layover airport, most people just don't have a ton of time to sit down and enjoy a full meal. I know when I have flown, by the time I get through security we usually have only had 30 min or so before boarding begins, so a quick meal is nice in that situation. Thankfully Block 16 should be able to deliver a quick meal too that is unique.

It is the same conversation we've had for years on here about concessions at Eppley. Block 16 is probably still going to have to do something to cut ticket times there and Pitch most certainly is despite them landing what had been deemed the nicer sit down spot in the RFP. Like you said people are accustomed to not having to show up to Eppley soon and that likely continues in the new terminal.

[Padre]

I wonder if the Runza at Eppley will offer breakfast Runzas. I know Runza sold them for one day, at one location in Lincoln last year.

When I was in Phoenix last year, our gate at Sky Harbor Airport was right across from a Fazolis that had recently opened. I found out later they were the first (and maybe only) Fazolis to sell breakfast sandwiches.

[Mr.Nuke]

I wonder if the Runza at Eppley will offer breakfast Runzas. I know Runza sold them for one day, at one location in Lincoln last year.

They probably will. The RFP required restaurants to be open by 4 or 5 a.m. through a minimum of 8 p.m. so they're presumably going to have to have to do that. The Block 16 and Fernando's concepts where their brick and mortar places don't do breakfast/brunch are in a similar boat of needing to come up with some morning items.

[skinzfan23]

Curious to see what Block 16 comes up with for breakfast.

[nativeomahan]

Very possibly once the new restaurants are up and running people won’t mind showing up an extra 30 additional minutes early if they know they can have a decent meal before their flight.

[Mr.Nuke]

Very possibly once the new restaurants are up and running people won’t mind showing up an extra 30 additional minutes early if they know they can have a decent meal before their flight.

It is, but if I were the airport or any entity involved in this I wouldn't necessarily be counting on it either. The airport's ease of use for local citizens, and proximity to decent restaurants downtown/Old Market is always going to limit how many people are going to eat there. Speaking personally I can't really envision a situation outside of a weather delay (or potentially breakfast) where I'm already there that I would willingly drive past Block 16 on the way to the airport to pay more for a likely inferior Block 16 product at the airport.

[Bob from Omaha]

FYI, here are the restaurants at TUL & OKC, two airports with less pax than OMA. Maybe when OMA has better food options its customers might feel like something more than a Runza. I know, it's Runza, but still...

TUL Schlotszkys, Fat Guy’s Burger Bar, Oklahoma Craft Beer Trail Bar & Restaurant, Chili’s

OKC Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steak Burgers, Hatch Early Mood Food, Osteria Wine & Restaurant

I realize that Fat Guy's Burger Bar, Freddy's, Schlootszkys & Chilli's aren't going to win any James Beard competition. Osteria sounds interesting & Oklahoma Craft Beer et al does too.

Anyway, with OMA flirting with 5,375M this year & if the growth continues the law of large numbers would say that there will be enough people to move from the Runza line to one of the other choices.

[Bob from Omaha]

Very possibly once the new restaurants are up and running people won’t mind showing up an extra 30 additional minutes early if they know they can have a decent meal before their flight.

It is, but if I were the airport or any entity involved in this I wouldn't necessarily be counting on it either. The airport's ease of use for local citizens, and proximity to decent restaurants downtown/Old Market is always going to limit how many people are going to eat there. Speaking personally I can't really envision a situation outside of a weather delay where I'm already there that I would willingly drive past Block 16 on the way to the airport to pay more for a likely inferior Block 16 product at the airport.

One of the stipulations is a limit to pricing no more than 10% higher than the street price.

"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."

[NEDodger]

Very possibly once the new restaurants are up and running people won’t mind showing up an extra 30 additional minutes early if they know they can have a decent meal before their flight.

Just talked to the wife about that - we will start going to the airport early to do just that. It just wasn’t worth it currently.

[Mr.Nuke]

Is Level 1 I assume an area before you go through security?

Yes in that level 1 diagram for the location you can see it is right next to the outline of a baggage claim. Just like now, anything on the first level is pre-security.

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."

I'm well aware of the street pricing + 10% we've talked about it on here since it came out. That at best is still like I said paying 10% more for the same or inferior product at the airport compared to their original restaurant, one that in this case is roughly 4 miles and 10 minutes from the airport. It is also going to depend on enforcement and establishing what the comparable street price is. For Block 16 if they run the same menu items that should be fairly simple if enforced right.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey instituted a street plus 10% a few years ago and the prices are still egregious at any of the NYC airports (all though better than pre-policy). Same at SFO that has been doing street plus 10% for a long time. Obviously both are larger cities, but it makes you wonder what the comps are on some things. Fundamentally, for a restaurant like Block 16 you've introduced a second middle man now. You have a landlord (just like your brick and mortar), but now you have a middleman manager that is going to take a cut too. We'll see how it goes.

[nebugeater]

I wonder if the Runza at Eppley will offer breakfast Runzas. I know Runza sold them for one day, at one location in Lincoln last year.

When I was in Phoenix last year, our gate at Sky Harbor Airport was right across from a Fazolis that had recently opened. I found out later they were the first (and maybe only) Fazolis to sell breakfast sandwiches.

That one day event was likely a proof of concept needed to be considered in the proposal for the airport.

[Stan]

Is Level 1 I assume an area before you go through security?

Yes in that level 1 diagram for the location you can see it is right next to the outline of a baggage claim. Just like now, anything on the first level is pre-security.

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."

I'm well aware of the street pricing + 10% we've talked about it on here since it came out. That at best is still like I said paying 10% more for the same or inferior product at the airport compared to their original restaurant, one that in this case is roughly 4 miles and 10 minutes from the airport. It is also going to depend on enforcement and establishing what the comparable street price is. For Block 16 if they run the same menu items that should be fairly simple if enforced right.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey instituted a street plus 10% a few years ago and the prices are still egregious at any of the NYC airports (all though better than pre-policy). Same at SFO that has been doing street plus 10% for a long time. Obviously both are larger cities, but it makes you wonder what the comps are on some things. Fundamentally, for a restaurant like Block 16 you've introduced a second middle man now. You have a landlord (just like your brick and mortar), but now you have a middleman manager that is going to take a cut too. We'll see how it goes.

As someone that was flying out of Omaha monthly, I never made an effort to arrive any sooner than I needed to so that I could stroll through the Pre-Check line and maybe sit down before I boarded. These options are for the frequent travelers more than anything. It'll be nice for those going on vacation to have better options, but for many people I know at Kiewit, HDR, etc. that are having to travel to their other locations as well as their employees coming into town, they will absolutely show up earlier and expense the meal no matter the slight up charge.

[halgy]

... they will absolutely show up earlier and expense the meal no matter the slight up charge.

This is what I was going to bring up. Back when I was traveling a bunch for work, I'd wait to eat at the airport because meals while traveling were expensed differently than normal meals. Or rather I'd do that when flying home, as Omaha didn't offer much.

[Garrett]

... they will absolutely show up earlier and expense the meal no matter the slight up charge.

This is what I was going to bring up. Back when I was traveling a bunch for work, I'd wait to eat at the airport because meals while traveling were expensed differently than normal meals. Or rather I'd do that when flying home, as Omaha didn't offer much.

What, some reheated Godfather's didn't hit the spot for you?

[FishFighter92]

Speaking personally I can't really envision a situation outside of a weather delay (or potentially breakfast) where I'm already there that I would willingly drive past Block 16 on the way to the airport to pay more for a likely inferior Block 16 product at the airport.

There's a half million other people that don't drive by Block 16 on their way to the airport.

[Brad]

Speaking personally I can't really envision a situation outside of a weather delay (or potentially breakfast) where I'm already there that I would willingly drive past Block 16 on the way to the airport to pay more for a likely inferior Block 16 product at the airport.

I like to get to the airport really early. I just don't want the stress worrying how long the lines are. Sometimes they are super long and other times, there are no lines. But I always arrive really early just in case. That being said, I would drive past the original B16 to eat at the airport B16 since I do arrive so early.

[damonhynes]

What, some reheated Godfather's didn't hit the spot for you?

It would for me, except they never have a beef-topping one in the rack when I'm in a hurry.

[Greg S]

Speaking personally I can't really envision a situation outside of a weather delay (or potentially breakfast) where I'm already there that I would willingly drive past Block 16 on the way to the airport to pay more for a likely inferior Block 16 product at the airport.

I like to get to the airport really early. I just don't want the stress worrying how long the lines are. Sometimes they are super long and other times, there are no lines. But I always arrive really early just in case. That being said, I would drive past the original B16 to eat at the airport B16 since I do arrive so early.

Same for me. I always allow for plenty of extra time. With decent food options, will definitely eat there. Also when traveling for work, I usually arrive later on Fridays. Would love to be able to grab food upon arrival. Normally they are all closed and not great options heading north from the airport.

Greg

[joleo]

As someone that lives in Des Moines, I can tell you when the concessions changed and improved to local beers and two nice restaurants, the mentality slowly changed including myself. Instead of cutting it close for every flight, many times I get there early, eat food, drink a beer and work before flight. The main restaurant is now very crowded compared to even a year or two ago, so many people do this now. This will happen in Omaha too, the mentality will slowly change over many years after the terminal is done and the restaurants have large nice bars to sit at, free wifi and plugs everywhere!

Also, I think the food selection is way way better! Not sure about Panda, very basic national chain, otherwise it's a world better than it is today!!

I hope they apply for a liquor license on the whole terminal so you can bring your beer to the gate area, if they get that along with new concessions, it will be just about perfect!

[FishFighter92]

This is the most impressive rendering to me

[Bob from Omaha]

It's all good but what really matters is continued growth. There will be plenty of room for more gates. It's all about the growth.

[skinzfan23]

Didn’t see this little tidbit about the local brands, does that mean that they will just be served in the restaurants?

[nebport5]

Didn’t see this little tidbit about the local brands, does that mean that they will just be served in the restaurants?

Here's the last sentence from just above that image posted here "It will also feature 22 additional local brand products offered at the various dining and retail options throughout the terminal."

[FishFighter92]

I know we're all looking for more nonstops to big cities, but how about small feeder cities?

Have an E175 or smaller corporate jet fly from LNK to GRI to OMA, then reverse. Maybe even try that with LBF or BFF.