local businesses thriving at PDX.
Business Opportunities at PDX
Established businesses with a vision for growth can reach the millions of travelers who come through PDX each year.
Uniquely Local
Local businesses that offer the styles and flavors of the Pacific Northwest are front and center at PDX. Travelers and locals alike can savor the best of our region—and pay the same as they would outside the airport, thanks to our street pricing policy.
Register with PlanetBids
All business opportunities at the Port of Portland, including the chance to set up shop at PDX, are published via PlanetBids. Make a profile and set your preferences to receive notifications about new openings that match your business.
Support to Help You Grow
Airports aren’t your average retail space. Spots are limited and they come with unique requirements. That’s why our team is here to help you get the information you need to prepare a strong proposal. Then, if you’re awarded space, we’ll provide hands-on support to help set you up for success.
Pop-up opportunities
Locally loved retailers that aren’t quite ready for a permanent space at PDX may be a fit for our pop-up program. These short-term opportunities are great for emerging local businesses that want to learn the ropes of selling at PDX and scaling to the next level.
Advertising
You can showcase your brand in a variety of ways at PDX, including in pre- and post-security spaces positioned to reach the most travelers.
PDX conducts leasing through a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) process and prioritizes regional brands that showcase our unique part of the world. We share background info and specifics on the space(s) available in the RFP document and ask interested parties to submit a proposal that includes key business information and their vision for the space.
We are not currently accepting proposals from retail or restaurant businesses. To find out when the next RFP is planned, register at PlanetBids. Apart from our pop-up spaces, most shops and restaurants commit to long term leases. RFPs will typically group multiple opportunities into one leasing cycle every 2-3 years.
We won’t sugar-coat it: You will need to supply some detailed documentation, but we’ve streamlined the process to make it more accessible for local businesses. All the requirements will be outlined in the posted RFP document and may include a business plan; financial statements; a proposal for how your space at PDX will operate, including staffing plans; and preliminary design. See links to previous RFPs below for examples.
In total, the development timeline after an RFP is released is around 18 months. That includes a 90-day window to assemble your proposal after an RFP is published, followed by a 90-day evaluation and approval period and about 12 months of design and construction work prior to opening for business. Each RFP establishes a timeline specific to the locations being developed. See links to previous RFPs below for examples.
Yes, it is important that a business is established and experienced enough to operate in a complex and high-volume environment. The RFP document will specify minimum qualifications including gross sales and years in business benchmarks.
Business terms vary by agreement type but are defined in detail in the RFP document and accompanying sample lease. Historic business terms can be found in previous RFPs linked below for a range of examples.
No, at PDX we do not have a public-facing vending or automated retail program. This is an intentional decision for our airport, and we don’t have plans to pursue this category of business.
Wholesale partnerships are often a great way to test your product in the market and raise brand awareness while generating revenue. Each airport concessionaire makes its own product purchasing decisions, and you are encouraged to reach out to them directly to negotiate potential product placement. View a list of current shops and restaurants.
Concessions Development
Food/Beverage, Retail & Services
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