Pappas Restaurants, which has served guests at William P. Hobby Airport at 7800 Airport Blvd., Houston, for over 20 years will be closing airport operations.

The move is a result of Houston City Council’s 11-6 decision on March 8 to award Spanish hospitality group Areas with a 10-year contract to open 10 new restaurants at the airport, including Yard House, The Spot, SpindleTap Brewery and more. These would replace Pappas Restaurants' existing concepts, including Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen, Pappasito's Cantina, Pappas Burgers and Pappas Bar-B-Q.

The transition is slated to take place over the next two years, with the new concepts being open for business by November 2024. Pappas Restaurants filed a protest of the decision March 13. The city of Houston acknowledged receipt of the protest and confirmed it will give a response upon review.

“We have received the protest and request for debrief, and are working expeditiously on our review and response to the protest. Once we complete our review and response, we will reach out to schedule the requested debrief as per our standard process,” said Jedediah Greenfield, chief procurement officer for the city of Houston.