Chicago is gearing up to hand out what officials are calling the biggest airport concessions package in the country, wrapping up a long bidding process for new restaurants and shops at O’Hare. Aviation leaders say the ORDerUp program drew a flood of interest, and they expect to start naming winners this spring, a move that will reshape where travelers eat, drink and shop in Terminals 1 and 3.
City Says Bids Poured In, Decisions Coming Soon
As reported by Crain's Chicago Business, Aviation Commissioner Michael McMurray told the outlet the city received 107 proposals and expects to begin awarding contracts by the end of March 2026. Crain’s also noted that McMurray did not disclose an overall dollar value for the program, keeping the total price tag under wraps for now.
What ORDerUp Put On The Table
The ORDerUp request for proposals laid out a sweeping menu of opportunities across O’Hare’s primary domestic terminals, seeking dozens of food, beverage and retail concepts along the concourses. Chicago Department of Aviation materials describe the package as one of the largest concession bundles ever offered by a U.S. airport, with well over 100 concept slots and roughly 146,000 square feet of commercial space, including set-asides for small and disadvantaged businesses. According to the city’s concessions pages, the program is aimed at modernizing the terminal experience while meeting ACDBE participation targets.
Different Numbers, Same Huge Scale
The city’s own documents show that the numbers can shift depending on how responses are counted. In the Chicago Department of Aviation 2025 Legislative Guide, officials state, “We received more than 165 submissions for 21 bid packages spanning more than 110 restaurant and retail locations in Terminals 1 and 3,” underscoring just how large and complicated this concessions overhaul really is.
Who Is Already In The Mix
Frequent O’Hare flyers already know some of the big names that have staked out territory in the terminals. Hudson’s automated and staffed stores are scattered across the airport, and the official O'Hare Shopping Guide lists Hudson Nonstop locations in the current lineup. Long-time airport restaurateurs also run branded concepts at multiple gates. Taken together, Chicago Department of Aviation materials and the airport’s shopping directory show that national airport operators and local businesses both have established footprints at ORD, with players like HMSHost already on the field.
Small Businesses And Local Voices
The ORDerUp process was structured to boost local and diverse participation. The city carved out a portion of space specifically for small businesses and has said it will run incubator programs to help first-time concessionaires get comfortable with airport operations. Local reporting highlighted that 10 percent of spaces were set aside for smaller operators and that the city held outreach sessions to help Chicago entrepreneurs prepare bids. Block Club Chicago
Why The Shakeup Is Happening Now
The concessions revamp is landing as O’Hare pushes through a multi-year modernization program and passenger volumes continue to rebound. Officials say updated dining and shopping options sit at the heart of the airport’s strategy to improve both passenger experience and revenue. Aviation leaders have framed the large RFP as one piece of a broader effort to refresh terminals and add amenities, a goal that the current aviation leadership has repeatedly stressed in public comments about rethinking the traveler experience. Chicago Sun-Times
Timeline And What To Watch Next
City officials told Crain's Chicago Business they plan to begin awarding contracts by the end of March 2026. After that, shortlisted bidders will negotiate lease and license deals that typically require City Council approval. Coverage of the original RFP in outlets such as the Chicago Business Journal noted that the process includes an evaluation committee followed by a step in which recommended leases are sent to the council for final sign-off.
For travelers and Chicago entrepreneurs alike, the ORDerUp awards will be the next real signal of how O’Hare’s food and retail mix is about to change, and whether the city’s small-business pledges translate into new counters, cafes and shops in Terminals 1 and 3. Expect the first formal award notices, and more detail on who landed which package, once the city starts rolling out selection announcements from late winter into early spring.
