The sandwich shuffle is on at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. A new Jimmy John’s opened Monday in the Concourse B food court, taking over the space once occupied by Chick-fil-A after the chicken chain moved to a larger spot nearby in the same concourse. A ribbon-cutting ceremony, complete with complimentary samples, officially welcomed the sub shop to the terminal.
“Giving travelers a variety of options throughout the airport is a priority for CVG,” Chad Summe, chair of the Kenton County Airport Board, said, according to Local 12. Airport officials said the new Jimmy John’s, operated by Tailwind Hospitality Inc., is open daily, and passengers in Concourse B were treated to free bites during the debut event.
Who runs the new shop
Tailwind Hospitality secured the concession after CVG’s board signed off on a deal that included an estimated $1 million capital investment and a 10-year lease with rent tied to sales and a minimum revenue guarantee, according to the Cincinnati Business Courier. The operator, which already runs other outlets at CVG, said the sandwich chain fits the airport’s push for quick, familiar dining options that can keep up with tight connection times and long security lines.
Part of a broader concourse refresh
The arrival of Jimmy John’s is one piece of a broader Concourse B refresh as CVG works branded and local concepts into its food lineup while passenger traffic climbs. WLWT reported that the airport handled roughly 9.2 million passengers in 2024 and has been rolling out new dining choices, from a Bengals-themed restaurant to updated coffee and quick-service offerings, as part of that strategy. WLWT noted the wider program of concession updates tied to the airport’s growth.
What travelers should know
The Concourse B food court sits in the central hub of the concourse near the escalators and connects to gates B1-B12, according to CVG’s terminal map and directions. CVG lists the food court as the center hub, and airport and operator statements say the Jimmy John’s there is open daily for travelers looking for quick sandwiches and snacks, per Local 12.
