Search
Close this search box.

RIAC SEEKS LOCAL FOOD AND BEVERAGE PROVIDERS TO OFFER A “TASTE OF RHODE ISLAND” TO TRAVELERS

Share
Tweet
Share
Email
February 14, 2023 - Warwick, RI - The Rhode Island Airport Corporation (RIAC) is excited to announce it is seeking food and beverage proposals from Rhode Island providers for inclusion at Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport (PVD) in an effort to offer travelers a “Taste of Rhode Island” while serving as an opportunity for local restauranteurs to promote their local eateries, wineries, coffee houses and

Proposal aims to increase jobs and expand opportunities for Rhode Island-based restaurants, wineries and breweries

February 14, 2023 – Warwick, RI – The Rhode Island Airport Corporation (RIAC) is excited to announce it is seeking food and beverage proposals from Rhode Island providers for inclusion at Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport (PVD) in an effort to offer travelers a “Taste of Rhode Island” while serving as an opportunity for local restauranteurs to promote their local eateries, wineries, coffee houses and breweries.

Importantly, RIAC expects this effort will result in more jobs at the airport while showcasing Rhode Island’s vibrant restaurant community, creating a win-win opportunity for local food and beverage purveyors to become airport partners, providing improved options for the traveling public, while promoting the wealth of distinctive food and beverages for which Rhode Island has become known.

Under the Notice of Intent to Negotiate (NOI), RIAC is making ten airport restaurant spaces available, ranging from 300 to 2,300 square feet, including five locations in the airport concourses, four spaces in the airport food court, and one location in the airport baggage claim area. The NOI is available on RIAC’s website at https://flyri.com/riac/procurement/.

The new airport food and beverage procurement has been restructured to be more attractive for local restauranteurs to submit proposals for individual spaces, including lower rent, reduced requirements for proprietor capital investments, as well as a five-year agreement term rather than the ten year terms in previous concession solicitations. RIAC believes that bringing in locally-branded food and beverage operations at the airport will draw from local staffing resources, while also providing an enhanced “Taste of Rhode Island” for travelers while promoting local restaurants in Rhode Island. Interested businesses may also bid for more than one location. 

While the new procurement allows for Master Concessionaires to submit comprehensive proposals to manage all airport food and beverage space, RIAC is encouraging local businesses to consider submitting proposals for individual or multiple restaurant and concession space to offer diverse comfort foods to anyone visiting the airport. Proposers are encouraged to retain qualified personnel previously employed by the existing airport concessionaires. The RIAC Board of Directors will serve as the selection committee. 

As noted in the NOI, interested parties will be invited to tour available airport facilities at two pre-proposal open houses to be held on February 24, and March 3, 2023, and will be provided with a comprehensive overview of expected passenger volume. Bidders must attend one of the two pre-proposal open houses in order to submit proposals.  Reponses to the procurement are due April 7, 2023. The RIAC Board of Directors will review the submission as the Selection Committee for this NOI and expects new restaurants and concessions to commence operations in the second half of 2023.

About Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport: A convenient and low-cost gateway to New England, Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport (PVD) has a large catchment area with 7.5 million residents within 90 minutes of the airport. It attracts passengers from nearby Massachusetts and eastern Connecticut. PVD is located just outside of Providence, Rhode Island. Well known for ease of traveler access, affordable parking, and faster security lines, Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport was named as one of USA Today’s “Readers’ Choice Best Small Airports” for 2021, “Top Three” in Travel + Leisure’s “World’s Best 2021” Awards and was most recently named 4th “Best Airport” in the U.S. in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards.

Other News

Federal and State Officials Break Ground for Quonset State Airport Runway Project

Senator Jack Reed instrumental in securing Federal Aviation Administration and Department of Defense funding Quonset, RI – March 1, 2024 – With $63 million in funding secured, the Quonset State Airport (OQU) runway rebuild is now clear for takeoff. The Rhode Island Airport Corporation today hosted federal and state officials for a ceremonial groundbreaking for the Quonset State Airport Runway 16-34 Reconstruction Project. The runway

Read More »

NAPATREE MARKETPLACE OPENS AT RHODE ISLAND T.F. GREEN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Warwick, January 25, 2024 – The Rhode Island Airport Corporation is pleased to announce that its retail concessions partner, Paradies Lagardère, has opened Napatree Marketplace, a new retail shopping experience located at Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport in the South Concourse near Gate 7. The store’s name pays tribute to Napatree Point, located in the Watch Hill District of Westerly, highlighting one of Rhode

Read More »

BREEZE AIRWAYS ANNOUNCES SEASONAL SERVICE TO GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG AND DENVER

Warwick, RI – January 23, 2024 – The Rhode Island Airport Corporation this week welcomed the announcement by Breeze Airways that it will offer seasonal service between Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport (PVD) to Greenville-Spartanburg, SC (GSP) and Denver, CO (DEN) beginning in May. Seasonal service to Greenville-Spartanburg on Mondays and Fridays will begin on May 3, 2024, while seasonal service to Denver

Read More »