Warwick, RI – September 24, 2020 – The Rhode Island Airport Corporation (RIAC) today announced that it has awarded a contract to Grove Bay Concessions, LLC to open two new restaurants at T.F. Green Airport (PVD) following a public Request for Proposal (RFP) process. Grove Bay currently provides restaurant service at Miami International Airport, including the Corona Beach House which was recognized as the “Best Restaurant at MIA” by Travel + Leisure.
Grove Bay will initially re-open Wolfgang Puck Express in T.F. Green Airport’s South Concourse, and will also introduce a selection of regional fares at a new restaurant, Providence Provisions- Kitchen & Bar in the former Providence Oyster Bar location on the North Concourse, with anticipated restaurant openings in November, 2020. Grove Bay has also agreed to prioritize the hiring of individuals who were previously employed by HMS Host, which served as the master concessionaire prior to the impact of COVID-19 on passenger volume and expiration of its contract with RIAC.
“We were pleased to have two excellent proposals to choose from and appreciate both applicant’s willingness to prioritize the hiring of airport restaurant workers previously employed by HMS Host,” said Iftikhar Ahmad, President and CEO of the Rhode Island Airport Corporation. “Although it may be several years before we see the volume of air travel return to pre-COVID levels, we are pleased to work with Grove Bay to serve the growing demand for new and delicious restaurant options for all those who travel through T.F. Green Airport.”
“We are thrilled to bring Grove Bay’s award-winning dining to T.F. Green Airport,” said Jonathan Savage, Chair of the Rhode Island Airport Corporation Board of Directors. “As passenger volume slowly but surely returns we look forward to adding more restaurant and retail opportunities to better serve travelers and visitors to our state!”
Grove Bay Concessions, LLC was one of two respondents to a public Request for Proposal (RFP) seeking two additional restaurant operations at T.F. Green Airport in two of the airport’s largest restaurant spaces. The Rhode Island Airport Corporation Board of Directors selected Grove Bay due to their track record of excellence and commitment to exceed the minimum rent for food and beverages. Both respondents had agreed to prioritize the hiring of airport restaurant workers previously employed by airport restaurants.
“As a company we focus on providing exceptional hospitality to our guests and treating our team members with respect and providing opportunities for them to develop within our organization,” said Francesco Balli, Co-CEO of Grove Bay. “We are excited to expand our airport restaurant concession business into Rhode Island to provide exceptional service to all T.F. Green Airport patrons!”
About T.F. Green Airport: A convenient and low-cost international gateway to New England, T.F. Green 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 short lines, T.F. Green Airport was named as one of USA Today’s Readers’ Choice Best Small Airports” for 2020 as well as “Top Five” in Travel + Leisure’s “World’s Best 2020” Awards for Top Domestic Airports.
About Grove Bay Hospitality: Founded in 2010, Grove Bay owns and operates a number of restaurants throughout South Florida, including restaurants Corona Beach House and Corona Fresh Express at Miami International Airport. , Grove Bay aspires to enhance the lives of its guests, employees, communities and investors as a restaurant industry leader by developing innovative, memorable and highly successful restaurant concepts. Co-CEOs Francesco Balli and Ignacio Garcia-Menocal and COO Eddie Acevedo are proud to partner with T.F. Green Airport and seek to build upon Grove Bay’s impressive list of award winning restaurants. For more information visit. www.grovebaygroup.com
