Airports continue to become grander, bursting with brand-name shops and local and national concepts. According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, the United States has approximately 5,200 airports in public use nationwide, where Americans spent more than $2 billion on airport concessions in 2018. The travel experience has expanded beyond passengers’ “in-flight” experiences to their “on-the-ground” experiences. It is no surprise that airports are seeking to expand the number of quick service and sit-down restaurants; convenience stores; and electronics, clothing, and gift shop concessions in order to increase non-aviation revenue, while franchisors and franchisees look to capitalize on the captive and transient audiences within airports.
While a significant opportunity for growth, airport franchising presents challenges for franchisors and franchisees alike, as it involves navigating a complex request for proposal (“RFP”) process, in addition to operational, regulatory, and legal issues that differ from traditional location franchising.
LINKS
Read "A ‘High-Level’ Overview of Airport Franchising," co-authored by Rocio Dongo, published by The Franchise Lawyer.