Two new restaurants to open at Indianapolis International Airport

INDIANAPOLIS—Two new food and beverage options are landing at Indianapolis International Airport (IND), with Au Bon Pain opening today and Granite City Food & Brewery scheduled to open April 5.

Both restaurants will be operated by Indianapolis-based CC Holdings, Inc. and will share nearly 4,000 square feet of space on Concourse A.

Founded in 1987, Au Bon Pain (a French phrase meaning “the place of good bread”) is a recognized leader in fast, casual eateries. Named one of America’s top five healthiest fast-food restaurants by Health.com in 2010, the eatery offers consumers an array of delicious, nutritional menu items created under the direction of an award-winning chef.

Au Bon Pain’s menu includes sandwiches, soups, salads, artisan breads, decadent baked goods, and other items made with fresh, wholesome ingredients. Guests can choose indulgent options like signature chocolate croissants and other baked goods, fresh soups like rich, creamy clam chowder, and healthy made-to-order salads and fresh fruit.

The airport’s Au Bon Pain will feature a grab-and-go section stocked with fresh fare and a small seating area comprised of about eight tables.

Granite City Food & Brewery, a casual, upscale American restaurant, will offer a 40-item menu with made-from-scratch dishes served in generous portions. The restaurant offers a full breakfast menu, appetizers, soups, salads, burgers and sandwiches, pastas, small plate selections, and signature dishes including steaks, chicken, and fish. It also features handcrafted specialty brews, including lager, stout, bock, and pale ale, as well as specialty cocktails and wines.

The contemporary Granite City décor provides a high-energy, fun, and family-friendly dining atmosphere. In the mood for a quick appetizer and beer? Try Granite City’s Buffalo chicken wings, Idaho nachos, chicken quesadilla, or a chicken Caesar chalupa with a Duke of Wellington Pale Ale. For a heartier meal, try the signature “Bedda Chedda” bacon burger or simply grilled salmon with a Wag’s American Wheat beer.

“Indianapolis International Airport is a great location for our concept,” notes Steve Wagenheim, CEO and president of Granite City Food & Brewery. “Our quality food and great beer at an attractive price point is perfect for travelers.” Granite City Food & Brewery owns and operates 26 restaurants in 11 states. Their restaurant at IND will be the 27th in the company’s chain.

According to Jeremiah Wise, director of retail operations for the Indianapolis Airport Authority (IAA), “Au Bon Pain offers menu items not currently available from other fast- food restaurateurs at the airport. Granite City is similar to the TGI Friday’s concept, but has a more exciting appeal that will enhance the served dining experience for passengers. We believe both operations are great complements to our existing food and beverage mix and provide the flying public with improved dining options.”

Founded in 1992, CC Holdings, Inc. is an experienced airport concessionaire. The company currently operates both Copper Moon Coffee locations at the new airport and previously operated an Au Bon Pain at the old airport on High School Road.

“We are very pleased by the opportunity to expand our airport operations,” said Kimberly Hendren, president and CEO of CC Holdings, a certified DBE/WBE with the city and state.

Hendren, who has more than 25 years of experience in the food service retailing industry, holds local development and franchise agreements for Au Bon Pain. She also operates seven Coffee Zon coffee bars on the Eli Lilly & Company campus as well as two locations in the Indiana Government Center.