Carrabba’s Opens First Airport Location In Tampa

Bizjournals.com:

Carrabba’s Italian Grill has opened its first airport restaurant at Tampa International Airport.

The Houston concept, founded in 1986 by Johnny Carrabba and Damian Mandola, features its traditional menu as well as a carryout menu.

Carrabba’s is one of OSI Restaurant Partners LLC’s core concepts. OSI acquired the rights to develop the brand nationally in 1995.

HMS Host, TIA’s concessionaire, agreed last December to spend $10.1 million to update, reconfigure and relocate the food and beverage mix at the airport.

Host will become a franchisee of Carrabba’s, the company’s first. Last fall, Host’s deal with TIA included a five-year extension on the contract and Carrabba’s lease runs concurrently, said Steve Shlemon, president of Carrabba’s.