Appleton International Airport offered a taste Thursday of the new food and beverage services that will be available when its expansion is complete.
The Supple Restaurant Group will open Fratellos Craft Kitchen & Bar @ ATW in the new concourse for ticketed passengers. The restaurant will feature many popular items from its Appleton location and serve breakfast, lunch, and evening meals.
The airport also announced the name and logo for the ATW Biergarten which will feature a specially brewed beer from the Fox River Brewing Company called “Fox River Just Plane Lager” as well as Blu Bobber Blueberry Ale. The Fox River Brewing Company is also owned by the Supple RestaurantmGroup. The ATW Biergarten will also feature signature regional brews including Titletown 400 Honey Ale and New Glarus Spotted Cow and will rotate other regional craft brews on a regular basis.
“There is no better way to welcome travelers to the Fox Valley than with the food and drinks that make Wisconsin great,” said Abe Weber, airport director. “We are delighted a prominent restaurant like Fratellos will partner with us to give visitors the best taste of the region.”
The restaurant will feature table service and seating at the bar.
“Our restaurant group has proudly served guests in Northeast Wisconsin for over 50 years, and we are honored to partner with Appleton Airport”, said Jay Supple, CEO of Fratellos and the Supple Restaurant Group. “Our Fratellos team is excited to showcase our cuisine and hospitality to all airport guests and be a part of such a forward-thinking organization.”
The ATW Biergarten is designed with an open concept to give the feel of a patio. The original restaurant between gates 4 and 6 will continue to operate at its current location.
The terminal expansion will more than double the size of the airport to better serve the more than 1 million passengers that use the airport annually. Construction facts are as follows:
- The expansion is a $66 million project funded by a combination of state, federal, and regional grants and budgeted dollars.
- The expansion is 47,000 square-feet.
- The addition will be closed off during the winter of 2025 and phased completion will start in spring of 2025.
- The new gates will be operational in time for the 2025 NFL Draft.
- The gate area will be expanded bringing the total number of gates to 10.
- There will be a connector between the existing gates and new gates, plus expanded areas for passenger boarding and a variety of seating options.
- Ramps will be used throughout to ensure easy access for all people regardless of abilities.
- Passenger comfort is a primary goal, so there will be expanded restroom facilities, a sensory support room, a quiet room, and a service animal relief area.
Future construction phases will expand ticketing and baggage claim areas and refresh existing concourse areas in the airport.
