PHOENIX, Ariz. — Garrett Popcorn, a beloved Chicago brand, has lost a bid to open its first standalone location in Arizona.
The Phoenix City Council earlier this week denied a proposal from the company to open a retail location inside Terminal 4 in the city’s Sky Harbor International Airport, choosing instead to proceed with a competing bid.
According to city documents, airport staff reviewed plans for a popcorn shop and a “Travel Treat & Coca-Cola Lounge” and evaluated them on several criteria, including the proposed concept, proposed merchandise plan, design and quality of tenant improvements and operations and technology plans. The bid from CASA Unlimited Enterprises won out and will fill the pre-security concession space with a 24-hour lounge setting, pre-packed meals and CocaCola & Go coolers with more than 30 varieties of beverages.
Garrett Popcorn currently operates locations in Chicago’s O’Hare and Midway international airports and Dallas-Ft. Worth International Airport.
An email to a Garrett Popcorn spokesperson requesting comment about the proposal and possible future plans was not returned.