San Diego International Airport announced via social media a new set of eateries by well-established San Diego businesses will be coming to its redeveloped Terminal 1.
Partnering with High Flying Foods, a Bay Area-based and family-owned company specializing in hyper-local airport dining options. High Flying Foods has longstanding relationships operating eateries located inside international airports in San Francisco, Oakland, San Diego, Denver, and Dallas.
San Diego International Airport announced the first approved group of concessionaires at Terminal 1 to be operated by High Flying Foods will be Puesto, Parakeet Cafe, Kettner Exchange, Lofty Coffee Co., Cutwater Spirits, and Mostra Coffee. High Flying Foods currently operates Bankers Hill and The Counter in the current Terminal 1 space, along with Stone Brewing, Phil’s BBQ, Saffron Thai, and Pannikin Coffee in Terminal 2.
Kevin Westlye, President at High Flying Foods, tells What Now San Diego that the process for selecting the businesses to place in the new Terminal 1 set began two years ago. “Once the new terminal was announced, we had a great team led by our VP of Development Carla Wytmar, and we started to put together a dynamic list of restaurants,” explains Westlye.
“We try the restaurants anonymously and talk to our team members along with locals. If the food and service at the restaurants are as good as their reputation, we ask the brand to partner with us. We wanted restaurants that are representative of the city. We look for iconic brands but there’s also a place for younger companies that are more up and coming.”
Once the partnership is built, High Flying Foods learns the ins and outs of each business in order to expand the local business under its airport umbrella. “We take pride in respecting the restaurant brand. We send our management team to each location to learn the recipes but also their operations and business culture,” Westlye shares.
As for the group of businesses, they’ll build out at Terminal 1, “We love Kettner Exchange, we think it’s iconic and consistent. As you come through security, the stand-alone bar will be a visual signature. Cutwater Spirits will be all the way down the terminal and will offer casual dining with a bar.” With a considerable amount of travelers passing through in the morning, each brand will offer an all-day menu with breakfast options, craft coffee, and nutritious meals.
High Flying Foods is still in the early stages of planning the new group of concepts, which Westlye states should be ready to begin the buildout when the shell of the building is complete in Early 2025. SAN’s New T1 Website states phase 1A should open in Late 2025, 1B by Early 2028.
