Chicago’s iconic pizza establishment Home Run Inn has hit a grand slam with its latest expansion, opening three new locations at O’Hare International Airport in November 2024. The beloved Chicago-based pizzeria has partnered with HMSHost, a leading airport restaurateur, to bring its famous tavern-style pizza to millions of travelers passing through one of the world’s busiest airports. These strategic new outlets are located in Terminal 2’s Concourse E, Terminal 1’s Concourse B (featuring a special co-branding with Eli’s Cheesecake), and Terminal 1’s Concourse C. This expansion not only enhances dining options for hungry travelers but significantly increases Home Run Inn’s brand visibility on an international stage.
Chicago’s Pizza Legacy Takes Flight
The addition of Home Run Inn to O’Hare’s culinary lineup reflects the growing trend of airports featuring local food favorites rather than just generic chain restaurants. Travelers can now enjoy authentic Chicago pizza without leaving the airport, making layovers and pre-flight waits much more appetizing. I’ve found that airports are increasingly becoming showcases for regional cuisine, and Home Run Inn’s expansion perfectly captures this shift.
O’Hare’s new Home Run Inn locations will serve the brand’s signature 8-inch personal pizzas in three classic varieties: Cheese ($11.39), Sausage ($11.99), and Pepperoni ($11.99). These reasonably priced options offer busy travelers a quick taste of Chicago’s famous pizza scene. The partnership with HMS Host ensures the pizzeria’s high standards will be maintained in the fast-paced airport environment.
For those who haven’t tried Home Run Inn before, you’re in for a treat! Their distinctive tavern-style thin crust pizza has been a Chicago staple for generations. Unlike the deep-dish style often associated with Chicago, tavern-style features a thin, crispy crust that’s cut into squares rather than triangular slices – a true local way to enjoy pizza that’s deeply ingrained in Chicago’s food culture.
What makes Home Run Inn stand out from other pizza chains is their commitment to quality ingredients and traditional Chicago pizza techniques. Each pizza features a flaky, buttery crust topped with generous portions of cheese and toppings, creating the perfect balance of flavors that has kept Chicagoans coming back for decades. The expansion to O’Hare allows the company to introduce more travelers to this authentic Chicago experience.
The Story Behind the Slice
Home Run Inn’s journey from a neighborhood tavern to an airport concession stand is a quintessential American success story. The brand began in the 1940s as a small tavern on Chicago’s South Side, where it got its unique name after a baseball from a nearby park crashed through the window. What started as a simple neighborhood bar serving pizza to local patrons has evolved into one of Chicago’s most recognized food brands.
Today, Home Run Inn operates nine pizzerias across the Chicagoland area, with its frozen pizza line available in supermarkets nationwide. The company has become such a Chicago institution that it now serves as the Official Pizza of the Chicago Cubs and Wrigley Field – a partnership that cements its status in the city’s cultural identity. This airport expansion builds upon their existing presence at Chicago’s Midway International Airport, where travelers have been enjoying their pizza for several years.
I’m always fascinated by family-owned businesses that maintain their quality and values while growing beyond their original neighborhoods. Home Run Inn represents this ideal perfectly, as it remains family-operated through four generations while expanding its reach across the country. The company has managed to balance growth with tradition, ensuring that each pizza served – whether in their original location, at a baseball game, or now at O’Hare – maintains the distinctive taste that made them famous.
For Chicago locals, Home Run Inn isn’t just pizza – it’s a taste of home and part of the city’s culinary heritage. Many Chicagoans who have moved away report having frozen Home Run Inn pizzas shipped to them, and former residents returning to visit often make getting a fresh Home Run Inn pizza a priority. This deep connection to the city makes the O’Hare expansion particularly meaningful for both the brand and its loyal customers.
Authentic Chicago Flavor for International Travelers
The strategic placement of Home Run Inn’s three new locations throughout O’Hare’s busiest terminals ensures that millions of international travelers will now have access to this authentic Chicago experience. Terminal 1’s Concourse B location offers a particularly interesting concept, as it’s co-branded with another Chicago favorite, Eli’s Cheesecake, creating a one-stop destination for two of the city’s most iconic foods.
For hungry travelers with limited time between flights, Home Run Inn provides a quick but authentic meal option that delivers a true taste of Chicago. The 8-inch personal pizzas are ideally sized for individual diners, and their relatively quick preparation time makes them perfect for the airport setting. This attention to the specific needs of airport diners shows the company’s thoughtful approach to this expansion.
I believe that airport food has come a long way from the bland, overpriced offerings of the past. Home Run Inn’s presence at O’Hare represents this evolution, providing travelers with a genuine local culinary experience rather than just a convenient meal. The company’s commitment to maintaining its distinctive tavern-style pizza recipe and quality standards in the airport setting demonstrates their dedication to authenticity.
The airport locations will serve as ambassadors for Chicago’s unique food culture, introducing travelers from around the world to regional flavors they might not otherwise experience. For many international visitors, their first taste of Chicago could now be a slice of Home Run Inn pizza while waiting for a connecting flight – creating a memorable introduction to the city’s food scene even before they leave the airport.
Family Values Fuel Expansion Strategy
At the heart of Home Run Inn’s growth strategy is a commitment to family values and Chicago roots. Gina (Perrino) Bolger, a fourth-generation family member and Senior Vice President of Marketing, expressed the significance of this expansion: “Sharing our tavern-style pizza with a broader audience is an incredible opportunity. Whether you’re traveling through O’Hare or simply passing by, we aim to deliver an authentic taste of Chicago.”
She added, “This partnership with O’Hare allows us to showcase what makes Home Run Inn pizza a cherished local tradition for both Chicagoans and visitors from around the world.” This sentiment reflects the company’s understanding that they’re not just selling pizza – they’re sharing a piece of Chicago’s cultural identity with a global audience.
The family’s continued involvement in the business helps maintain the quality and consistency that has made Home Run Inn successful. While many food businesses lose their way after expanding or being acquired by larger corporations, Home Run Inn has preserved its original recipes and methods despite significant growth. This dedication to heritage while embracing expansion opportunities represents an ideal balance for a family business.
For travelers from Chicago, seeing Home Run Inn at O’Hare creates a sense of hometown pride and familiarity in the often impersonal airport environment. For those visiting Chicago or just passing through, the airport locations offer an authentic introduction to one of the city’s beloved food institutions. In both cases, the expansion enhances the airport experience while broadening Home Run Inn’s customer base.
Building a National Brand Through Local Pride
Home Run Inn’s expansion to O’Hare represents more than just new restaurant locations – it’s a strategic move to amplify the brand’s national presence. Already ranking among the top 10 frozen pizza brands sold nationwide and holding the number one position in the Chicagoland area, this airport presence puts the Home Run Inn name in front of millions of potential new customers annually.
The visibility gained at one of the world’s busiest airports can significantly impact consumer awareness and brand recognition. O’Hare served nearly 80 million passengers in 2023, creating an enormous opportunity for brand exposure and customer acquisition. Many travelers who try Home Run Inn at the airport may seek out their frozen pizzas when they return home, potentially expanding the company’s retail market share.
For food businesses looking to grow beyond their regional markets, airport locations provide an excellent platform for introducing products to a diverse, international audience. Home Run Inn’s strategy of maintaining a strong local identity while expanding nationally appears to be paying dividends, as they’ve successfully preserved their authenticity while reaching new customers.
The frozen pizza market is highly competitive, with numerous national and regional brands vying for freezer space and consumer dollars. Home Run Inn’s airport presence provides a competitive advantage by creating direct product experiences that can translate into retail purchases. This connection between restaurant experiences and retail products helps solidify brand loyalty and drive sales across multiple channels.
As a food lover who appreciates authentic local cuisines, I’m excited to see Home Run Inn bringing genuine Chicago tavern-style pizza to O’Hare. The next time you’re passing through the airport, skip the generic fast food and treat yourself to a taste of Chicago’s pizza heritage. Whether you’re a longtime fan or trying it for the first time, Home Run Inn’s expansion ensures that this beloved Chicago tradition will continue to win new fans from around the world.