A second Maria Empanada at DIA, awarded without bidding, would settle the operator's claim over construction delays
The 12-year Concourse B lease is part of a negotiated settlement, city records say. The same consent list had $1 million for airport noise analysis and a new crossing signal at Federal and Amherst.
The operator of the Maria Empanada stand on Concourse A at Denver International Airport would get a second location on Concourse B, without a competitive process, as part of settling its claims over construction and opening delays at the first one, according to city records.
The concession agreement with Mission Yogurt, LLC, doing business as Maria Empanada, 26-1691, was approved by consent by the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on Wednesday, Nov. 11, when the committee's meeting was canceled for Veterans Day (meeting).
Why it matters: airport concessions are long, valuable leases that are usually competed. This one was awarded as a single source, and the records show it's tied to a business dispute with the city.
The deal
From the airport's request:
- Where: about 560 square feet on Concourse B West, Subcore 1.
- Term: 12 years from the opening date.
- Rent: the greater of a $311,181 minimum annual guarantee or 16% of gross sales, plus a 1% marketing fee. Starting in year two, the minimum becomes 85% of what the operator paid the airport in year one.
- Investment: at least $675,584 by the operator; the company expects to spend about $874,160.
- How chosen: not by competitive process. The request cites the single-source exception.
The request says the agreement "is part of a negotiated settlement of Mission Yogurt's claims arising from construction and opening delays affecting its existing Maria Empanada concession on Concourse A West Subcore 2." The company keeps its Concourse A location. The request doesn't say how much the claims were for or what else the settlement includes.
What our records add
Mission Yogurt is a major DIA concessionaire. In June the Council approved two Concourse B concessions for the company, a KFC (26-0950) and Etai's Breakfast and Burgers (26-0947). In December 2025 it extended the company's agreement for The Bindery, Uncle and Maria Empanada by two years, to 2037 (25-1898).
Also on the consent list
Airport noise consulting, $1 million. A five-year, on-call contract, 2027 through 2031, with Harris Miller Miller & Hanson for the airport's Noise Office (26-1690). The firm will model noise from flight-track changes and airport growth and help the airport stay within its noise agreement with Adams County, the request says. The firm's previous contract had grown through five amendments to $1.75 million, ending this year (23-0757).
A crossing signal on Federal Boulevard. $576,380 for Morton Electric to replace the span-wire signal at Federal Boulevard and Amherst Avenue with a HAWK pedestrian signal and build curb ramps, in Kevin Flynn's District 2 (26-1683). A HAWK signal stays dark until a pedestrian pushes the button.
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Right-of-way. Dedications for a public alley between 29th and 30th streets, California and Welton, in District 9 (26-1676), and for East Smith Road at North Ulster Street in District 8 (26-1680).
What's next
The items go to Mayor-Council and then to the full Council. Any member can call one out for a separate vote. The airport is in Stacie Gilmore's District 11.