Carl’s Jr. could replace McDonalds at JWA

Editor’s note: This corrects the time the commission will meet.

McDonald’s might be on the way out and Carl’s Jr./Green Burrito might be on the way in for wayward travelers looking for a bite to eat at John Wayne Airport.

For two decades, McDonald’s has filled passengers’ stomachs at Terminals A and B, but five commissioners at an Airport Commission meeting tonight will be asked to choose Carl’s Jr./Green Burrito for a 10-year lease, Jenny Wedge, spokeswoman for the airport, said Wednesday afternoon.

The recommendation is being made on behalf of an evaluation committee, made up of four airport managers and one person from the public, Wedge said, adding that various factors were taken into account, including the experience of the fast-food franchise, the quality of food and the enhancements it would bring to the site.

At the same meeting, which begins at 5 p.m., the commission will also decide on which restaurant should open in soon-to-be-opened Terminal C. The evaluation committee is recommendation Sbarro Pizza and Panda Express.

“This is a very competitive process,” Wedge said. “Every concession in the airport was notified of the bid when this was put out for proposal and in the end we received five proposals.”

Those interested in setting up shop at all three terminals but who did not receive the top nod from the evaluation committee were Burger King, Great Wraps, Lee’s Sandwiches and Firkin Pubs.

Both sites in Terminal A and Terminal B are 2,100 square feet.

Terminal C’s restaurant site is 2,600 square feet.

Ultimately, the Orange County Board of Supervisors has to approve the commission’s final decision at its board meeting at 9:30 a.m. Dec. 14, Wedge said.

Tom Ragan