» Reader Picks Index Page
Airport Bars » Tropical Escape
Welcome to the Cruzan Islands. For over a year, passengers waiting to board Southwest Airlines flights out of Fort Lauderdale have accepted an invitation to stop for a refreshing Cruzan Rum drink and perhaps some food from Uno Chicago Pizza or Cheeburger, Cheeburger.
The facilities all have a unifying theme: an escape to a tropical island where a weary traveler can be at ease.
"Most customers spend one to three hours or more relaxing while waiting for a flight," says Brian Bowdish, general manager of the 5,000- square-foot space run by CA1, a division of Delaware North, a hospitality management company operating at over 300 foodservice and retail facilities and at over 30 airports nationwide.
A second Cruzan Islands complex will soon be operating in the Delta Airline terminal at the same airport, and plans are afoot for additional installations, both on and off airport sites.
"Sales have been well over our expectations, and Jim Reisigl, VP and creative director of Cruzan Ltd., has been extremely cooperative and a pleasure to work with," Bowdish says.
As more travelers enjoy relaxing at Cruzan Rum Bars in airports, it may behoove savvy F&B execs to consider installing this concept in some of their properties.
"Cruzan Ltd. can custom design a Cruzan Rum Bar for a lobby location to replace an existing low-performing lounge or as part of a larger bar/restaurant space," says Reisigl. "The hotel market is one we feel is synergistic with our airports' strategy." --Dave Steadman
 Email this article to a colleague
|
ARTICLE CONTACT INFORMATION |
NAME
Jim Reisigl |
PHONE
561-745-0344 |
WEB
www.cruzanrum.com
|
EMAIL
|
|
