Big Surprise To All... Including Employees and Airport Personnel

Waco Kitchen, one of our favorite airport restaurant 'chains' has taken itself off the flight roster... 

To the surprise of  everyone involved, Waco Kitchen shut down both airport operations with little warning and has not said much since. 

The Lakeland Linder International Airport reported, via Facebook (see attached image) that, "WACO Kitchen, owned and operated by Dimor Eats LLC, which leases space on the second floor of the terminal building at Lakeland International Airport (3900 Don Emerson Dr. Ste. 201), notified officials on Monday that they will be temporarily suspending operations. Originally founded by aviation enthusiast Dieter Morszeck, the Lakeland eatery was their second following the opening of their location in Battle Creek, MI. Airport officials are working with Dimor Eats LLC to obtain additional details which will be shared when available. Dimor Eats LLC entered into an agreement with the City of Lakeland on November 1, 2021 to provide food and beverage services at the Airport."

Lakeland's notification was made to Airport Director Kris Hallstrand -- who received an email on April 19th, from their attorney. Attempts to reach out to those concerned, have been unsuccessful.  

Additionally, we have found that the Battle Creek Location, next to the WACO Aircraft factory has also shut down at the same time wand with the same lack of prior notification... making the situation feel a bit more dire as regards the possibility of a restart. In both cases, employees were given minimal notice. 

Dimor Eats LLC was reportedly the parent company. Dimor Eats LLC entered into an agreement with the city of Lakeland on November 1, 2021, to provide food and beverage services at the airport. They are currently in violation of that contract and are in violation of a 10 day grace period in which they could have resumed operations without undue penalty. 

Reportedly a multi-million dollar investment, the Lakeland closure is particularly surprising since KLAL has recently won an airline operation that is but two months away from its start of service... which would have all but guaranteed an even greater customer base than the KLAL location has enjoyed this far... and based on ANN's observation (having been to both locales a number of times), the KLAL facility looked fairly busy each time we visited. And yes, the food was good.... sigh. 

FMI: www.wacokitchen.com