Steve’s Snappin’ Dogs Brings a Taste of Downtown Denver to Travelers at Denver International Airport

DENVER — March 5, 2014 — Denver International Airport (DIA) is pleased to announce the opening of Steve’s Snappin’ Dogs on the west side of the B Concourse.

The brainchild of Denver restaurateur Steve Ballas, Steve’s Snappin’ Dogs offers a unique menu featuring Steve’s awardwinning, gourmet hot dogs delivered directly from New Jersey. The menu also includes burgers, and sides such as skinon French fries, panko-breaded onion rings, sweet potato tots and Steve’s famous deep-fried green beans. The restaurant will offer dine-in eating and “Steve’s On the Go” for quick service. The restaurant and bar will be open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

“Steve’s Snappin’ Dogs is a well-known Denver brand that will offer an authentic taste of the city to over 50 million passengers each year who travel through Denver International Airport,” said Kim Day, Denver’s Manager of Aviation. “This is just one more component of the vibrant mix of local flavors and national brands we are bringing to the airport for our passengers to enjoy.”

The 1,390-square-foot restaurant is licensed by Ballas and operated by LS travel retail North America.

“We are pleased to be bringing Steve’s Snappin’ Dogs to DIA,” said Gerry Savaria, president and CEO of LS travel retail North America. “Steve’s is a local landmark, known in the community for its outstanding customer service and great food. We are excited to offer this genuine concept to the travelers, and look forward to working with Steve’s team and our local partner, Keith Montoya, for continued success.”

Montoya began operating at DIA in 2013 through the airport’s Retail Merchandising Unit (RMU) cart and kiosk program. The RMU program is designed to help entrepreneurs test concepts and develop an understanding about the unique challenges of operating in a secure, 24/7 environment.

“I had a great opportunity to get my start at DIA through the cart and kiosk program, which gave me the foundation to be part of the team that is now bringing Steve’s Snappin’ Dogs – an amazing local concept – to the airport,” Montoya said. “The business outreach efforts by DIA are helping to bring new entrepreneurs like myself into the exciting and competitive aviation market.”

Montoya is certified as an Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) partner. The ACDBE program is administered by the Federal Aviation Administration and helps ensure equal business opportunities at airports for minority- and women-owned firms. The restaurant is expected to generate more than $2.4 million in sales its first year and will create about 20 new jobs.

“Our vision 11 years ago was to bring world-class hot dogs to Colorado,” said Steve Ballas, founder of Steve’s Snappin’ Dogs. “My wife Linda and I are thrilled by the impact that we have made in Denver, to travelers and residents alike. We are honored to have been selected to represent Colorado for the first gourmet hot dog concept at DIA, the fifth-busiest airport in the country.”

About DIA’s Shopping and Dining Program

DIA’s concession program consists of more than 170,000 square feet of retail space inside the airport that includes more than 140 locations offering an exciting culinary, fashion and retail experience. In 2013, the concession program generated about $295 million in annual gross sales. For more information about retail store opportunities, please e-mail [email protected] or visit http://business.flydenver.com/bizops/concessions.asp.

Denver International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world. DEN is the primary economic engine for the state of Colorado, generating more than $36 billion for the region annually. For more information visit www.FlyDenver.com, check us out on YouTube and Instagram, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Sign up for DEN’s monthly newsletter Nonstop News.

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