Orlando

Zaza Cuban Comfort Food Expanding at Orlando International Airport

Cuban sandwiches, pastries, coffee, and cocktails will define the offerings at this airport concept.

Image from Zaza Cuban Comfort Food website

ORLANDO, FL — Zaza Cuban Comfort Food is preparing to open a second location at Orlando International Airport on the A-side near Southwest gates 90–120 at 9202 Jeff Fuqua Blvd, Orlando, FL 32827. Founder Ruben Perez told Business Debut the team is entering construction and is targeting an August opening, pending final buildout timelines.

The new location expands Zaza’s footprint at MCO, where the brand already operates on the B-side serving American and United gates. Perez told Business Debut the addition positions the company to reach Southwest travelers while continuing a broader expansion across Orlando.

What to Expect

Perez told Business Debut the new concept will operate as Zaza Bar and Cuban Cafe, combining a full-service restaurant, coffee shop, bar, and grab-and-go format designed for airport traffic. The approximately 1,500-square-foot space will feature bar seating and a small surrounding dining area, with a strong focus on speed of service.

Guests can expect fresh-made Cuban sandwiches pressed to order, empanadas, and house-baked pastries including cassitos and guava pastries. Perez told Business Debut the airport format emphasizes convenience, allowing travelers to order ahead or quickly grab food to take on flights.

Images from Zaza Cuban Comfort Food website

The location will also include a full bar program with mojitos, sangrias, piña coladas, and a full selection of beer, wine, and liquor, alongside Zaza’s established coffee offerings.

Perez told Business Debut Zaza’s ability to serve across five dayparts — breakfast, lunch, late lunch, dinner, and coffee — makes it a natural fit for airport environments. He said the model allows the brand to operate from early morning through evening while meeting a wide range of traveler needs.

“We serve five day parts,” Perez told Business Debut, noting that the flexibility helps drive strong performance in high-traffic locations like airports.

He added that the goal is to give Orlando travelers a recognizable, locally rooted concept inside the airport. Perez told Business Debut the brand remains focused on growing while staying connected to the community it started in.

Additional Locations and Growth

Perez told Business Debut the airport opening is part of a larger expansion across the Orlando market.

A new Winter Park location on Lee Road and 1792 is currently in permitting and is targeting a June or July opening. That location will include a drive-thru pickup window designed for app orders and delivery services, building on a model first introduced in Casselberry.

Zaza is also developing a SoDo location, which Perez told Business Debut is expected to open in a similar June or July timeframe. He described it as a larger, high-visibility location that may operate extended hours due to surrounding medical and commercial demand.

In addition, the brand has recently launched inside Orlando City’s soccer stadium, part of an initiative to highlight local concepts within the venue. Perez told Business Debut Zaza also maintains a presence at the Orange County Convention Center, where it has operated coffee concepts since 2008.

Coffee Program

Perez told Business Debut the company’s coffee program continues to play a central role in its growth. The roasting operation is supported by coffee expert Jose Pablo Suarez Solis, who helps oversee sourcing, consistency, and blend development.

Perez told Business Debut that expertise has helped the company maintain stability and quality even as global coffee markets face supply challenges.

Leadership
Perez told Business Debut the company’s recent expansion has been supported by CEO Luis Fernandez, who previously worked with the brand earlier in his career before returning to help lead its next phase of growth.

He also credited longtime business partner Robert Coyne, telling Business Debut the two have worked together for more than 30 years.

Opening Timeline

The Orlando International Airport A-side location is targeting an August opening. Perez told Business Debut the Winter Park and SoDo locations are both expected to open around June or July, while the Orlando City stadium location is already operational.

Hours

Perez told Business Debut the airport location is expected to operate daily from 5 a.m. – 9 p.m., with flexibility to remain open later during flight delays or increased passenger demand.