Board approves John Wayne Airport concessions; small‑business owners and former officials back plan

The Orange County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously May 7 to approve multiple food, beverage and retail concession leases at John Wayne Airport, following several public comments from prospective tenants and local business owners.

Chris Norby, a former state assembly member who spoke as an air traveler and taxpayer, told the board the recommended awards would bring improved passenger services and additional revenue; he said one bidder’s digital message boards were projected to bring about $3,000,000 annually to the airport. Small‑business applicants, including owners of Chopin Bakery and Tacos La Piña, described their local origins and said being awarded space at the airport would be a "dream come true" for their restaurants.

Supervisors praised airport director Charlene Reynolds and staff for the vendor selection work. Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento called attention to the worker‑retention policy included in the concessions package, saying it will prioritize existing workers for hiring when new operators assume storefronts. The board moved, seconded and approved the item; the vote carried unanimously.

The approvals included language authorizing the airport director or designee to execute leases and make certain contract modifications under specified conditions. The board did not provide a roll‑call of individual votes in the transcript; the chair declared the matter carried unanimously.

Next steps for the successful concessionaires will be lease execution and tenant fit‑out under the airport’s standard timelines and conditions.