Forget Panda Express.The latest in airport dining is food that comes from a truck.
It was really just a matter of time. Food trucks have invaded nearly
every city in America. Why should the airports -- the first glimpse
travelers get of the cities they're visiting -- be left out?
A few airports have recently brought food trucks to their cell phone
parking lots. Orlando International has six food trucks at its
commercial lot and taxi staging area. One -- Los Angeles International
-- even has plans to build a structure that looks like a food truck in
Terminal 4, rotating the offerings from the city's most popular food
trucks.
Tampa International has the most robust offering. The program started in
mid-November as a way to service the throngs of people waiting in the
cell phone parking lot to pick up loved ones during the busy holiday
travel season.
The 30-day trial was such a success that the airport has
extended the program through August, with a new food truck every day.
There's the Cheesesteak Truck, serving the obvious; Nicos Arepas Grill,
serving Venezuelan arepas and chachapas; the Dude and His Food, serving
burgers, hot dogs and the like; Graffeaties, serving global street food;
and several more in the rotation.
And while the program has been successful from a customer-service
standpoint, it's "not a money-making initiative for us," said Christine
Osborn, communications manager for Tampa International Airport. "But
it's really caught on, and customers love it."
It is, however, making money for someone. Tom Bradley owns the Cheesesteak Truck,
the featured food truck at Tampa International that's there once a
week. "At first I wasn't sure how it would do, but it's been great for
business," he said while ringing up a customer who was purchasing a
cheesesteak. "When you're on a street corner, you get the lunch crowd,
but that's pretty much it. Here we have a steady stream of business most
of the day.
"My favorite are flight delays," he said, remembering a particularly
busy day around Christmas when snowstorms in the North were keeping
people waiting for hours in the cell phone lots for loved ones.
The food truck at Austin - Bergstrom International Airport in Texas is
also a recent addition: Twist of Spice -- serving Tex-Mex, paninis and
salads -- arrived in the cell phone lot last month. Airport spokesman
Jim Halbrook said the pilot program's been well-received. "The
feedback's been all favorable," he said. "There are picnic tables to eat
at, it's very pleasant."
Debby McElroy, executive vice president at Airports Council
International North America, said the trend of food trucks at the
airport was born out of a desire to make the cell phone waiting lots
better.
"A number of airports are expanding their services by extending Wi-Fi
coverage and adding flight display information so the person waiting can
see if their loved one is delayed. Food trucks are a great answer for
people waiting for an extended period for their loved ones to arrive,"
she said.
It looks like the airport food truck trend may just be getting started.
"Airports are watching what's happening at Tampa and the success of the
program," said McElroy. "Airports are the gateway to their communities.
Having food trucks helps local businesses, improves the customer
experience and enhances economic growth.
"It's win-win for everyone."
Source: http://abcnews.go.com
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