PGD Seeks Restaurant Operator

PGD Offers $200,000 Reimbursement for Restaurant Buildout

Punta Gorda Airport is seeking proposals for a public full-service restaurant, bar and caterer at the PGD Air Center. Employees, local residents and aviators are hungry for food service, and demand is growing as development increases. For more information, please email Properties@FlyPGD.com or call 941-639-1101 x 132.

  • PGD is offering $200,000 operator reimbursement once buildout is completed and a certificate of occupancy is issued.
  • The 2,853-square-foot space features wall-to-wall windows with outstanding views of runways, aircraft parking and aviation activity.
  • Partial buildout of the restaurant space has already been completed, including $400,000 invested in framing, natural gas line, rough electrical and plumbing, lighting, and various kitchen equipment including a pizza oven.
  • The dining area can be combined with an adjacent 534-square-foot rentable events room to open the entire window-front space for larger events.
  • A small outdoor patio space is also available to configure for seating.

Location

  • PGD’s 2,000-acre airport property between Sarasota and Fort Myers serves Allegiant and Sun Country, commuter and charter services, medical transportation, aircraft maintenance/avionics, corporate aviation, flight schools, an aviation mechanic training facility, and other business-oriented and private aviation activities.
  • Vehicle traffic on Challenger Blvd has increased significantly over the last 5 years due to increasing development of industrial, manufacturing and office spaces on the north side of Challenger Blvd in the Charlotte County Park of Commerce, namely ABC Supply Company.
  • In 2026, Charlotte Technical College opened an aviation training facility next to the Air Center, and new hangars are being constructed on the adjancent aircraft ram. 
  • Traffic measured on Challenger Blvd: under 300 trips per day in 2019; 875 trips per day in 2020; 1,300 trips per day in 2022; and 2,300 trips per day in 2023-2024.
  • The Airport Authority is extending Challenger Blvd all the way to Piper Rd in 2027, which will greatly increase access and visibility for the restaurant.
  • This space IS NOT at the Bailey Terminal (which serves 50+ destinations and 2.3 million passengers annually); the Air Center is 1.5 miles away at 27450 Challenger Blvd.

Proposal Requirements

  • Previous experience in restaurant ownership, management and operations
  • Plan to complete the buildout of the kitchen, bar and concepts for dining area (including timeline)
  • Financial capability including capital sources, outstanding debts and financing plan to make initial improvements in advance of reimbursement, and to operate the business thereafter
  • Food concepts, menu items and estimated pricing
  • Hours of operation (breakfast and lunch daily at minimum) at opening; specify intention/capacity to expand to dinner and special events at a later date
  • Ability to provide full liquor bar, or beer and wine only upon opening, or no alcohol with intention/capacity to serve alcohol at a later date
  • Type of services provided: table service, walk-up order, takeout order, delivery, flight catering, in-room catered events, etc.
  • Preferred payment cost structure: lease estimated at $3,000/monthly, or minimum annual guarantee budgeted monthly, and/or monthly percentage of gross receipts

Marketing Support

  • Matching paid advertising up to $10,000 for the first year, plus…
  • On airport directional signage to ensure patrons know how to get there
  • Advertising at the Bailey Terminal and Rental Car Center to entice arriving passengers to visit the Air Center restaurant
  • Send out news releases, and cooperate on media pitches and earned media coverage
  • Advertising on the FlyPGD.com website and PGDAirCenter.com websites
  • Promotional posts in PGD BUZZ e-newsletter and social media channels

2025 Mobile Location Data from Placer.ai 

  • 3.2 million visits to airport property (visitors, residents & employees)
  • 186K employee visits to airport property
  • 57K visits to the PGD Air Center (including visitors, residents & employees)
  • 38K residents within a 5-mile radius of the Air Center, 70K within 7 miles and 127K within 10 miles
  • 70K residents within a 15-minute drive of the Air Center
  • Busiest time at the Air Center and the entire airport property is around noon

About PGD

  • The Air Center is a 13,500-square-foot facility with an inviting lobby, conference room, events room, leased offices/flight schools, pilot lounge and staff who provide private aircraft fueling, tie-down and ground-handling services.
  • In 2025, PGD had 143,678 takeoffs and landings, nearly half of which utilized the Air Center’s facilities and amenities, including its 500,000-square-foot ramp and self-serve fuel facility.
  • About 1,600 employees work on airport property daily, including airlines, Pulsafeeder, Hertz, Enterprise, Avis / Budget Rent a Car, and Charlotte Technical College.
  • PGD generates an economic impact over $1.7 billion annually, and the encompassing Enterprise Charlotte Airport Park (ECAP) corridor currently employs more than 2,500 workers in aviation, logistics, manufacturing, and healthcare. FedEx is home to 400 workers and Cheney Brothers employs 550 workers. Hundreds more are employed by Suncoast Distributing, ABC Supply Company, Blue Bell and Amigo Pallets.
  • Just south of PGD, nearly 7,500 new homes are being constructed in the Burnt Store Road and Jones Loop Road corridors.

More Information

Restaurant Space Virtual Tour

Airport Property Interactive Map