Jolly Good Soda – now that’s cool!
Making a difference
March 10, 2025
APPLETON – With the 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay fast approaching, the excitement outside of Titletown also continues to grow.
In anticipation of one of the state’s biggest event to date, the Appleton International Airport (ATW) recently unveiled the name of its new restaurant and the logo for the ATW Biergarten – both of which are a part of the airport’s nearly complete terminal expansion project that aims to be completed by the draft.
ATW announced it is partnering with the Supple Restaurant Group and opening Fratellos Craft Kitchen & Bar @ ATW.
ATW Director Abe Weber said the restaurant will be located in the new concourse, is open to ticketed passengers and will feature many popular items – serving breakfast, lunch and evening meals.
“I know I’ve probably said this a thousand times, but the staff here at Appleton International Airport really do work every single day to make the process in the customer journey faster, easier and more convenient,” he said. “We know food, beverage and shopping are a huge part of that. There is no better way to welcome travelers to the Fox Valley than with the food and drinks that make Wisconsin great.”
Weber said ATW “is delighted a prominent restaurant like Fratellos” is partnering with ATW to give visitors the “best taste of the region.”
“From cheese curds to Bavarian pretzels, brats, the Fox Burger and salads, the restaurant will be a step up from fast meals,” he said.
Weber said the hope is Fratellos will open before the draft, but added that it could be delayed a bit.
“With the restaurant, we’re still hopeful (it will be open for the draft), but there are a few permits still being worked on, so that may roll into May,” he said.
About a year ago, Weber said the airport put out an RFP (request for proposal) to gauge who ATW could partner with for concessions.
“The Supple Restaurant Group’s proposal really rose to the top,” he said. “They had great ideas, and the concepts were incredible. We’re very excited to be able to share those with you. There will also be grab-and-go options for people to grab while they’re on the run.”
Jay Supple, CEO of Fratellos and the Supple Restaurant Group, said the company has been serving guests in Northeast Wisconsin for more than 50 years.
“We are honored to partner with Appleton Airport,” he said. “Our Fratellos team is excited to showcase our cuisine and hospitality to all airport guests and be a part of such a forward-thinking organization.”
Heidi Supple, also with Supple Restaurant Group, said the restaurant is an opportunity to showcase what Appleton has to offer.
“That’s with people from all over the world,” she said. “We are incredibly honored to be a part of this expansion. When people walk into Fratellos, one of the best compliments we get is, ‘I can’t believe this is in Appleton – it’s amazing and feels like we could be in any part of the world.’ We feel like this is exactly what is going to happen with the new expansion. Not only do I feel people will be amazed at the restaurant but also at what this expansion will do for the community – this is putting Northeast Wisconsin on the map.”
‘Nothing more Wisconsin than beer’
Additionally, the ATW Biergarten will feature a specially brewed beer from the Fox River Brewing Company – which is also owned by the Supple Restaurant Group – called Fox River Just Plane Beer, a light lager.
Weber said the ATW Biergarten will also feature signature regional brews, including Titletown 400 Honey Ale and New Glarus Spotted Cow – as well as rotate other regional craft brews regularly.
“The beer is a great product and collaboration with Fox River Brewing Company,” he said. “Beyond that, we’re going to be partnering with several other craft breweries throughout the Fox Cities and Northeast Wisconsin to highlight their beers and the great things they are doing. As of now, the biergarten should be operational by the draft.”
Weber said the restaurant will feature table service and seating at the bar.
“The ATW Biergarten is designed with an open concept to give the feel of a patio,” he said. “The original restaurant between gates four and six will continue to operate out of its current location.”
Dan Gabrielson, the Outagamie County Board of Supervisors chairperson, said the expanding airport is all about building partnerships.
“We specifically sought out a high-quality restaurant partner with local flavor that would really excel,” he said. “We are excited to share the menu with travelers. The new restaurant and biergarten are just two more examples of how ATW is elevating the travel experience and proving why it’s the airport of choice in Northeast Wisconsin. ATW sees travelers from all over the country and world, and with this local flavor, these will be things they can go home and talk to their friends and family about.”
Gabrielson said ATW generates more than $700 million of economic impact annually in the Fox Valley.
“It’s an exciting time for ATW, Outagamie County and all future travelers coming to the airport,” he said.
Expanding now and into the future
Weber said the terminal expansion will more than double the size of the airport to better serve the more than one million passengers who use the airport annually.
Further details of the project, he said, include:
- The expansion is a $66-million project funded by a combination of state, federal and regional grants and budgeted dollars.
- The expansion is 47,000 square feet and on schedule.
- The new gates will be operational in time for the 2025 NFL Draft.
- The gate area will be expanded, bringing the total number of gates to 10 – which Weber said will help accommodate the increased flights many ATW airlines have already announced for the draft.
- There will be a connector between the existing gates and new gates, plus expanded areas for passenger boarding and a variety of seating options.
- Ramps will be used throughout to ensure easy access for people of all abilities.
- With passenger comfort being a primary goal, there will be expanded restroom facilities, a sensory support room, a quiet room and a service animal relief area.
“Future construction phases will expand ticketing and baggage claim areas and refresh existing concourse areas in the airport,” Weber said. “The renovation will pay special attention to sustainability in future expansion plans. Overall, once the gates are operational, then we’ll focus on connecting the two buildings – that work is slated to last until early 2026.”
