DFW International Airport Unveils First-Of-Its-Kind Business Centers Next To Starbucks Stores

DFW INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, TX (March 10, 2005) – DFW International Airport today unveiled the latest in passenger convenience: new Business Centers adjacent to new Starbucks airport locations. The Starbucks opening in Terminal C is the first of eight locations in Terminals A, B, C and E that will be located adjacent to a Business Center and to a Skylink people mover station in those terminals. Skylink, which will be the largest airport people mover system in the world, opens this spring.

The airport concept of building a Business Center adjacent to a Starbucks location marks a revolution in the airport concessions business by pairing the services that business travelers need most often into a convenient location without any membership fees. 

The Starbucks store in Terminal C, which is open during normal operating hours, features all of the popular signature coffees, as well as sandwiches, pastries and salads. 

In the adjacent Business Center, road warriors can relax 24 hours a day in a carpeted lounge with leather seats, semi-private workstations, a closed-captioned television monitor, electrical and phone outlets, and high-speed Internet access via Wi-Fi (wireless) or dataport. 

“This is the dawn of a new day for convenience and customer service at DFW,” said Jeff Fegan, CEO of DFW International Airport. “Placing these Business Centers and Starbucks locations near our Skylink stations gives our passengers easy access to the services and concessions they’ve requested in a comfortable, professional environment.” 

The concept extends DFW’s ongoing customer service improvements aimed at making airport time as productive and user-friendly as possible. It builds on the success of the Airport’s Guest Services Center at Terminal B, which allows passengers to conduct business in a relaxed setting. 

“We received terrific feedback from our passengers about the Guest Services Center, but one thing we kept hearing from them was that they’d like a high-quality cup of coffee while they’re working,” said Patrick Gleason, the Airport’s vice president of revenue management. "This is a natural for us because we have so many connecting passengers at DFW. Now you’ll be able to have a great cup of Starbucks coffee or lunch while you conduct business or get your work done." 

The Business Center concept is also another prime example of DFW’s commitment to promoting minority business participation at the Airport. HMS Host formed a partnership with three local minority firms that will maintain a 49.99% interest in the Business Center operation. 

“We think this will be a huge hit with our business travelers, and it comes just in time for Spring break,” says Frank Howell, General Manager of HMS Host/DFW Joint Venture and a part owner of the new businesses. “Coffee and the Internet are as much a part of traveling now as roller bags and electronic tickets.” 

As part of the grand opening today the ownership group, HMS Host/Coffee Partners Joint Venture, gave away free coffee and pastry samples to guests and passengers in attendance. T-Mobile and American Airlines also distributed free one-day wireless access cards at the event. 

With the Business Centers, Starbucks and the Skylink stations all adjacent to each other, they will be easy and convenient to find. Their proximity will also allow DFW customers to reach any terminal at the Airport in less than 8 minutes. 

The first two locations will open for business this week. All eight locations are expected to be open by the end of April. 

Editors: To arrange interviews, contact Ken Capps, Vice President, Public Affairs at 972-574-8080 or kcapps@dfwairport.com.