KaTom Powers a Modern Dining Experience at Chattanooga Airport
When the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport opened a new wing in 2024, it did more than expand the building's flight capacity; it enabled the airport to expand and remodel its dining services.
The new wing created two additional gates, a gift shop, a business center, and a new sit-down restaurant. Upon completion of the new restaurant, the airport turned its attention to its existing dining service and remodeled its original restaurant space.
The renovated space reopened in early October 2025 with an overhauled menu centered around fresh-made sandwiches, paninis, and stone-hearth pizzas. To make this menu possible, Tailwind Concessions, the group managing the airport's foodservice, turned to KaTom Restaurant Supply for a full lineup of kitchen equipment.
KaTom fully outfitted the new restaurant, which is focused on sit-down service with full entrees, and supplied and installed all the equipment for the renovated space.
"This was the original restaurant space here in the airport. It’s worked great for years, we've had the contract for it. It was wonderful," Operations Director for Tailwind Concessions Matt Hinson told KaTom. "Then once the airport issued the buildout for a brand-new wing, we opened up a brand-new restaurant in there. Once that was completed, we were able to come in and redo the space."
Modern Dining Powered by KaTom
When the design process began and an architect was consulted, the remodel's main goals were efficiency and thoughtful use of available space. After construction began, Tailwind Concessions' projects team worked with KaTom's Strategic Accounts Specialist Harrison Genseal to determine the best way to lay out the equipment.
After the layout was approved, KaTom had a three-day window to complete the install process. Aside from a damaged sink, which was quickly replaced, the entire process went flawlessly.
"When this got going, our projects department would start to get with Harrison and go over different scenarios and layouts of all the equipment," Hinson said. "KaTom has always been a great provider for us in the past of equipment. They're just very personable, very friendly. It's just a very nice relationship to have."
A Personal Touch
When taking on a project of this size, communication is a top priority. Hinson and his team needed clear timelines and reliable updates on deliveries, and clear communication helps set KaTom apart.
Genseal, as an extension of KaTom's dedication to customer service, was available day and night, quickly responding to emails or answering his phone, even if he wasn't in the office.
"Harrison is wonderful. I absolutely love it whenever we get to work with Harrison on projects," Hinson said. "It's absolutely fantastic. I got to meet him at last year's company retreat we were at, and he's just very communicative. He answers everything very quickly. Even during time off he's answering emails, replying to emails. It's always great to have somebody you work with who communicates so effectively and is so quick to get you everything you need."
While the Chattanooga Airport is a ways from KaTom's Kodak, Tenn., campus, the two entities are connected by their East Tennessee roots.
This local touch, combined with KaTom's consistent and outstanding customer service, helped make both the restaurant expansion and remodel a smooth success.
"It's nice to be able to support someone in our neighborhood, so to speak, with KaTom also in East Tennessee," Hinson said. "That's just always a great feeling when we can support a company that we feel is kind of in our local area."
