Apr 1, 2026
HMSHost Will Reimagine the Airport Food Hall Experience under New Contract Awarded at Jacksonville International Airport
Oak & Ocean Food Hall will blend dining and community in one immersive space, offering travelers a fresh, engaging way to enjoy the journey through JAX and pioneering a new approach to airport food halls
BETHESDA, Maryland (April 1, 2026) – Global restaurateur HMSHost, part of Avolta AG (SIX: AVOL) and a world leader in creating dining for travel venues, today announced Jacksonville Aviation Authority (JAA) awarded the company a 15-year contract at Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) to design and operate an expansive, nearly 5,500-square-foot food hall that will transform the dining experience at JAX.
HMSHost will unveil Oak & Ocean Food Hall with the opening of JAX’s new Concourse B, a long-awaited third concourse scheduled for completion by December 2026.
Oak & Ocean will blend nationally beloved brands with the authenticity of Jacksonville originals to bring familiarity and authentic local flavor to the new concourse, bolstering HMSHost’s existing food & beverage offering throughout Concourses A and C.
In conceiving Oak & Ocean, HMSHost tapped into its deep understanding of JAX’s travelers to create an experience exclusive to JAX and featuring several firsts for the airport. Oak & Ocean will be home to JAX first’s Chick-fil-A — fulfilling the desires of many who have hoped to see the brand land at JAX — and travelers will soon have the option to enjoy American Chinese cuisine with the opening of Panda Express.
Two Northeast Florida restaurants also will debut in JAX’s food hall: Willie Jewell’s Old School Bar-B-Q and V Pizza, bringing even more local flavors to the airport and widening the choices travelers have to grab a bite. Separate from the food hall and under its existing lease, HMSHost previously confirmed that another local brand, Cantina Louie, will open in Concourse B, complementing the growing taste of place at JAX. A second Starbucks is also slated for the new Concourse B.
“Jacksonville Aviation Authority has transformed the passenger experience at JAX in recent years and we are proud to be a part of that journey,” said Steve Johnson, President and CEO, North America, Avolta. “This new contract is a strong example of local partnership to deliver great dining experiences that reflect the warm, welcoming spirit of Jacksonville and make each journey memorable.”
“The dining concepts in the Oak & Ocean Food Hall will offer our travelers a mixture of the national food chains they know and love with some local favorites from the Northeast Florida region,” JAA CEO Mark VanLoh said. “These dining options combined with a beautiful new concourse offer a welcoming atmosphere to passengers once they pass through security.”
Self-service kiosks, dynamic digital menu boards, and QR code ordering and pay at the table will create an experience designed for ultimate ease. Frictionless self-checkout powered by cutting-edge technology will ensure speed and simplicity at every step. These advancements will redefine airport dining and deliver a faster, smarter, and more seamless experience for today’s connected traveler. Throughout the airport, travelers will also continue to benefit from the Club Avolta loyalty program, gaining access to exclusive offers, rewards, and cross-promotions.
HMSHost will operate Oak & Ocean Food Hall with three small business partners: Rain or Shine Inc. (Christine Khanna), D&J Full Partners LLC (Janae Nelson and Dondria Burris), and Denard Enterprises (Frank Johnson). HMSHost currently operates nearly a dozen dining venues at JAX, including Chili’s® Grill & Bar, BurgerFi, Firehouse Subs, and Starbucks, alongside Jacksonville favorites Southern Grounds and Angie’s Subs.
About the Jacksonville Aviation Authority
The Jacksonville Aviation Authority operates Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) and the city's three general aviation airports - Cecil Airport, Jacksonville Executive at Craig Airport (JAXEX) and Herlong Recreational Airport. The Authority, funded through user fees and not local taxes, contributes over $6 billion annually to the local economy. For more information about the Jacksonville Aviation Authority's airports, please visit www.flyjacksonville.com.
About HMSHost
HMSHost, part of Avolta AG (SIX: AVOL), is a leader in creating dining for travel venues.
The restaurateur operates over 1,000 locations in nearly 80 airports across North America,
including proprietary concepts, local, regional, and national brands, and partnerships with award-winning chefs.
For decades, HMSHost has curated food and beverage programs that make a traveler’s journey as exciting as the destination.
The industry has repeatedly recognized HMSHost with awards such as Restaurateur with the Highest Regard for Customer Service and Best Brand Restaurateur for Shake Shack by Airport Experience News. In recent years, USA TODAY's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards has awarded first place honors to HMSHost's Three Kings Public House at St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) and its Whisky River locations at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) and Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU). ACI-NA, the trade association representing commercial service airports in the United States and Canada, recognized HMSHost with the 2020 Associate Inclusion Champion Award for leadership and achievement in the ongoing inclusion of business and workforce diversity, outreach, and advocacy. Additionally, ACI-NA awarded HMSHost the 2024 Excellence in Airport Concessions Award for the Best Employee Recognition Program. The company also creates original, award-winning events and campaigns including Airport Restaurant Month, Channel Your Inner Chef live culinary contest, 1,000 Acts of Kindness, JBF@ORD Chef Series, and Eat Well. Travel Further.
Visit HMSHost.com for more information and connect with HMSHost on LinkedIn and Instagram.
