Eric E. Garcia, senior business reporter at the Fort Worth Report, is stepping in this week for Bob Francis, who’s taking a well-deserved vacation.
New projects have been announced at bustling Dallas Fort Worth International Airport while my colleague has been jet-setting around Europe.
First up is the $34 million upgrade underway at the Grand Hyatt DFW Airport intended to bring new style, comfort and functionality to guests of the facility.
“Located just steps from your gate, it’s airport luxury — reimagined,” DFW said in a Facebook post.
The hotel — which celebrates its 20th anniversary in July — will feature updated aeronautical-inspired guest rooms, an expanded Grand Met restaurant with private and semiprivate dining areas, a rooftop event space with runway views and remodeled lobby, pool and common areas.
“The remodeled Grand Hyatt — already known as one of the premier airport hotel experiences — will complement the ongoing enhancements and expansions across the airport as we create a smooth and enjoyable experience for our guests,” said Sean Donohue, the airport’s retiring CEO, in a statement.
Hungry airport travelers
More food and shopping options are now planned at DFW.
Twenty new concessions — including 24-hour Chick-fil-A and Raising Cane’s outlets — will join many Texas brands and other stores that have opened or will be coming to the airport over the next several years. The vendors will be scattered among DFW’s five existing terminals as the airport spends billions to build a new Terminal F, add more gates and make other improvements.
In addition to the recent announcement of Fort Worth’s Brewed Coffee outlet coming to Terminal E, the airport will add:
Dallas-based Mesero, known for its Mexican American fusion food, will be located at the Terminal A pier. The brand also has locations in Fort Worth and Southlake.
Olivella’s Pizzeria, with locations in Fort Worth and Dallas, will be near the Terminal A-14 gate.
La La Land Kind Café, a Dallas brand, will be at Terminal B-43.
Plano-based Velvet Taco will be at the Terminal C pier.
Mozart’s Bakehouse, an Austin-based coffee shop known for its scratch-made pastries and shakes, will be at Terminal A pier.
Lone Chimney Mercantile, with gifts made by local artists, will be at Terminal D-33.
The Peach Cobbler Factory, a national dessert chain with a location in Euless and others planned in Mansfield and Burleson, will be at the Terminal C pier.
Ciao & Go will be at the Terminal A pier.
Nekter Juice Bar will open its first U.S. airport location at Terminal B-10.
Flyer’s Market will be at Terminal E-38.
Piada Italian Street Food, another first U.S. airport eatery, will be at Terminal B-14. The chain also has locations in the Fort Worth Alliance area and Euless.
Bluebonnet Exchange will be at the Terminal C pier.
Sundance Travel Essentials will be at Terminal E.
Minute Suites, which offers rooms for sleeping or working on an hourly basis at airport terminals nationwide, will add new locations at Terminal A-38 and Terminal D-23.
Two all-day restaurants will join other new fast food eateries at the airport.
Raising Cane’s will operate an outlet at Terminal B-19, while Chick-fil-A will be open Mondays through Saturdays at the Terminal A pier. Salad and Go, known for its generous salads and bowls, will be at Terminal A pier, while a new Whataburger with a self-order kiosk will open at Terminal B-40.
“These new partners represent the next chapter in DFW’s journey to transform the customer experience,” Ken Buchanan, the airport’s executive vice president for revenue management and customer experience, said in a statement. “By bringing in bold concepts, including several airport firsts and beloved local brands, we’re laying the foundation for more dynamic terminals and a more enjoyable travel experience.”
Grapevine venue honored with global award
About 4 miles from DFW Airport’s north gate is Meow Wolf, an immersive art museum at Grapevine Mills.
Meow Wolf announced May 2 that its Texas-based exhibitions received international acclaim at International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions Honors 2025, one of the most prestigious award programs in the global attractions industry.
The Grapevine location was named 2025’s top location-based experience in the world.
“To see a Texan experience like Meow Wolf Grapevine celebrated on an international stage is incredibly meaningful,” Jamie Weaver-Garia, general manager of Meow Wolf Grapevine, said in a statement. “This award is a tribute to the artists, staff, and guests who have shaped our Meow Wolf locations into something truly extraordinary. We’re honored to represent the innovation coming out of North Texas.”
Argyle company works on ballpark upgrades
An Alliance-area firm, GoVision LLC, has announced that it is bringing video upgrades to California’s Sutter Health Park, home of the Sacramento River Cats, a Triple A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants.
The updates — done in partnership with Sacramento-based i5LED — will be up to standards of Major League Baseball, according to a news release. The project’s centerpiece is a new massive state-of-the-art 10mm LED display in the right center field that required construction from the ground up and involved the construction of new piers, columns and catwalks.
In addition, the team repurposed the ballpark’s 10-year-old center field display into a 195-feet-wide by 7-feet-4-inches-high left-field ribbon display.
“This was an extremely complex project from the very beginning — which is exactly the kind of challenge our team loves,” said Chris Curtis, founder and chairman of Argyle-based GoVision. “Among other essential details, we worked closely with i5LED to make certain that the center field display would look great both on TV and in fans’ cell phone photos. That meant the refresh rate of the LED panels had to be precisely designed and calibrated to ensure an unforgettable visual experience for fans in every seat.”
BNSF technology layoffs
Fort Worth-based BNSF Railway has laid off technology services staff members, believed to have affected between 140 and 175 workers.
The rail line is starting a new strategic division — called bnsf | tech — “to transform the future of our rail operations through innovation,” according to a statement from a company spokesperson.
“This new organization will be infused with new investment and an expanded team of software engineers focused on building a safer, smarter railroad,” the statement said. “As part of this transition, some Technology Services positions are being repurposed or eliminated, as bnsf | tech will have a reduced reliance on contractors and third-party vendors over time.”
BNSF said it remains committed to supporting employees affected by personnel changes, and applicable resources and career transition services are being shared with impacted employees.
Eric E. Garcia is senior business reporter at the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at [email protected].
At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.
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