Layovers at Minneapolis-St. Paul International’s Terminal 1 is about to get a serious makeover. Airport officials are gearing up for the biggest shakeup of the terminal’s food, drink, and retail scene in nearly a decade, clearing the way for a new generation of vendors and a stronger local presence.
The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) plans to issue a formal Request for Proposals (RFP) this summer to fill dozens of concession spaces, a move that opens a near-term window for Minnesota-based restaurants, bars, and shops to grab a piece of the action.
What The MAC Is Looking For
According to the Metropolitan Airports Commission, the Terminal 1 solicitation will cover more than 50 concessions locations and lay out a wide wish list of concepts. That includes coffee shops, quick-service spots, full-service restaurants, bars, news and convenience stores, specialty retail, and even spas.
The RFP page states that the solicitation is slated for release in summer 2026. Prospective operators are invited to register on the MAC’s procurement portal for updates and to sign up for informational sessions that will walk through space layouts, lease structures, and what it takes to submit a competitive proposal.
Bring Me The News first reported on the coming overhaul and shared a MAC statement underscoring the push to get more homegrown businesses into the terminal mix. In that statement, Isabella Rhawie, the MAC’s commercial revenue officer, said, "The MAC is proud of its strong partnerships with local entrepreneurs, and we’re committed to expanding opportunities for homegrown businesses to thrive at MSP."
How Big This Overhaul Really Is
This is not some minor menu tweak. The last time MSP took a hard look at Terminal 1 concessions was in a redevelopment that began in 2017, which reconfigured about 35 units. Since then, traffic has only grown. MSP served more than 34.7 million passengers in 2023, according to a MAC media release that details recent concessions work and passenger counts.
That volume helps explain why the commission is treating the Terminal 1 RFP as a major moment for both national concessions operators and local startups that want exposure to millions of travelers each year.
How Local Businesses Can Get In The Game
For any restaurant, retailer, or service provider that has ever joked about "opening in the airport one day," the MAC is spelling out the path. Prospective vendors can sign up for RFP alerts and register for informational sessions through MSP’s business-opportunities portal, where the airport also lists vendor contacts and step-by-step guidance for first-time airport concessionaires.
The MSP business page includes contact details and instructions for submitting questions about vendor opportunities and Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) programs, which utilities and seasoned airport tenants frequently consult while planning proposals. For specific Terminal 1 RFP questions, the MAC has provided a dedicated RFP contact address and posts procurement updates on its portal so firms can track key release and submission dates.
MAC officials say the summer 2026 RFP will be a central milestone in a broader capital and concessions program at MSP, and the commission has signaled that it wants a mix of local and national concepts that reflect the region. With informational sessions already scheduled and registration open, airport leaders are giving operators a clear runway to prepare their pitches ahead of the formal RFP release.
