Smashburger Officially Announces Two DIA Restaurants

The largest food and beverage concession contract ever awarded at the Denver International Airport (DIA) went to Smashburger, who got final approvals from the Denver City Council and Mayor Michael Hancock this week.

Through Michigan-based concession company Midfield Concession Enterprises (MCE), two full service Smashburger locations will pop up in Concourses B and C in spaces that are 3,573 and 2,317 square foot respectively. Lefty's Mile High Bar and Grill and Lefty's Front Range Grill are the current tenants. The new outposts of the locally-grown chain will bring a full bar and a breakfast menu, alongside the usual lunch and dinner offerings.

The deal with DIA will also bring Tom's Urban, a two and a half year old concept from the Smashburger team, plus Tivoli Brewing, into the Westin Denver International Airport Hotel. Several local groups, including Highland Tap & Burger, Park Burger, and the Cherry Cricket on the burger side and Great Divide, Wynkoop Brewery, and Oskar Blues on the beer side have bid on the 18.5 million dollar contract. Some of those who vied for the DIA business, as well as Denver City Council members had serious questions about the final decision to bring in Smashburger as the local burger concept and Tivoli as the brewer, but in the end, DIA's decision was approved.

Diners should expect to get their Smashburger and Tom's Urban-Tivoli fix at the airport in late 2016 and early 2017.