McAlister’s to stay on through airport renovations

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Although the Springfield-Branson National Airport’s restaurant is slated for rebranding, McAlister’s Deli will not be replaced, Air Host Inc. President David Shelton said.

Air Host, which manages restaurant operations at the local airport, is footing an approximate $200,000 bill to update the restaurant, which currently operates under the in-house name Seasons, and serves McAlister’s and Gevalia coffee products. The cost includes counter millwork and the purchase of new kitchen equipment. Following renovations, there will be two points of sale at McAlister’s and restaurant counters where guests can order from combined menus.

Shelton said, with the addition of a kitchen, Air Host expects to hire more cooks, prep cooks and wait staff – about 15 new staff total.

The menu also will expand, he said, to include made-your-way omelets, finger foods and appetizers and gourmet burgers.

Although Shelton said Air Host is not prepared to release the name yet, he confirmed the restaurant will be rebranding.

“We’d like to locally theme the restaurant using a name that would identify with the local community,” he said. “We’ve got two or three names we’re thinking about using, but we want to make sure we emphasize that this restaurant is in Springfield – that when people come here, that it’s something that would be of interest to people in Springfield.”

Separately, the airport is paying $564,000 to grow the space by more than 50 percent. Terrazzo flooring also will replace current tile in the concourse in front of the restaurant for $24,000. Overall, the airport is investing $750,000 on improvements.

In addition to the restaurant, the airport is updating its free Wi-Fi and adding new charging stations, according to a news release. The charging stations will cost $69,000 and expand stations to 80 from eight, mostly located at six dedicated task tables.

The upgrades are expected to be complete by spring. During construction, the restaurant will operate in a temporary space with a limited menu. Springfield-based Butler, Rosenbury & Partners Inc. is designing the project to be completed by Columbus, Kansas-based general contractor Crossland Construction, according to the release.