Kearns Restaurant Group Opened Airport Boathouse
The company launched a new airport location as it prepares for the reconstruction of its fire-damaged site in Cape Coral.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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Kearns Restaurant Group opened a new Boathouse location at Southwest Florida International Airport on October 6, 2026. This launch comes as the operator works toward reopening its original Cape Coral restaurant in 2027.
Why it matters
Diversifying into airport transit hubs allows hospitality operators to capture consistent foot traffic independent of local market fluctuations. This move helps the group maintain a revenue stream while managing the significant capital and planning requirements for its long-term site redevelopment.
The airport location operates under a 10-year agreement, while the planned 18,000-square-foot facility in Cape Coral is secured by a 30-year lease. Construction on the Cape Coral site is projected to take 8 to 10 months once all municipal approvals are granted.
The players
Kearns Restaurant Group
A hospitality operator managing multiple restaurant locations across Southwest Florida.
HMSHost
A global hospitality company specializing in food and beverage operations within travel venues and airports.
The details
HMSHost manages the new airport restaurant, which provides breakfast service until 10:30 a.m. followed by lunch service throughout the day. Meanwhile, the future Cape Coral facility requires the completion of the city's yacht club master plan and seawall top cap before building efforts can commence. This staging reflects the complex regulatory coordination required to rebuild on municipal land compared to established commercial leasehold agreements at airports.
Timeline
July 2018: Boathouse opened in Fort Myers.
October 6, 2026: Boathouse opened at Southwest Florida International Airport.
2027: Planned reopening of Boathouse in Cape Coral.
Market Landscape
Hospitality groups frequently balance high-volume airport contracts against the multi-year development cycles of municipal waterfront projects. This dual approach follows the pattern of established operators using institutional revenue to offset the long lead times required for large-scale land reconstruction.
Operators looking to scale through airport partnerships should account for the distinct operating constraints and management contracts these venues require. Reviewing long-term land-use agreements with municipal authorities remains the most critical factor for those managing waterfront or public-space assets.
The takeaway
Strategic geographic diversification can stabilize a business's revenue cycle during local property reconstruction or permitting delays. When planning multi-year capital projects, confirm your timeline against municipal infrastructure milestones to set accurate expectations for stakeholders.
What happens next
Construction of the Cape Coral location is scheduled to take 8 to 10 months once permit approval is secured, with an expected opening date in 2027.
Further reading
For more updates on local hospitality ventures, visit our Openings & Closings page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The News-Press.
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