Food-Ordering App Launched at XNA

by Jennifer Joyner ([email protected]) 333 views 

Travelers at Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport (XNA) in Highfill can now save time by preordering items from participating airport restaurants, with the Grab mobile app.

The app, which launched at XNA on June 7, allows users to view menus and wait times and place or hold pre-paid orders while waiting in line at TSA or walking on the tarmac and then pick up items at a separate to-go counter.

At XNA, participating restaurants are Auntie Anne’s, Smokewood American Grill and Core Brewing Co., which opened at the airport in February.

Jason Schulz, operations manager of food, beverage and retail at Paradies Lagedere-operated locations at XNA, said the company deems convenience as key.

“We know what a time crunch it can be,” Schulz said. “We’re giving guests flexibility and convenience so that they can order food ahead of time.”

Grab is available for Android or iOS devices. For business travelers, Grab also integrates directly into the Concur business expense tracking platform, according to Grab.

“We are excited to bring mobile ordering to Northwest Arkansas through our partnership with Paradies Lagardère,” Mark Bergsrud, chief executive officer of Grab, said in a press release from the company. “With Grab, regional passengers no longer have to wait in lines for food, maximizing their time in the terminal so they can enjoy the wonderful food they crave on the fly.”

Grab mobile ordering is currently available at 112 restaurants in 14 other airports, including Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Austin–Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), Boise Airport (BOI), Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF), Charleston International Airport (CHS), Denver International Airport (DEN), Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW), Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY), Los Angeles World Airports (LAX), Ontario International Airport (ONT), Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT), Richmond International Airport (RIC) and Will Rogers World Airport (OKC).

Grab, a Houston-based company, is rapidly expanding its base, with more than 1,000 airport restaurant and retail concepts signed up to join the platform in the next year or so, according to the company.