Success Story: Local Flights

Rio Linda Pub Owners Take Flight with a New Restaurant at Sacramento International Airport

Location: Northern California | Sacramento County | Sacramento

Business Type: Restaurant and Café

Small Business Center: Sacramento Valley SBDC

Assistance Received: Business Planning and Development

California State Assembly District: 6

California State Senate District: 8

Visit Local Flights online

Edwin Balli and Andrea Ayala first connected with the Sacramento Valley SBDC as they prepared to enter the restaurant industry. Working one-on-one with SBDC Business Advisor Panda Morgan, they developed a business plan, gained a clearer understanding of the financial requirements of restaurant ownership, and applied for a loan to take ownership of Rio Pub in Rio Linda.

Running Rio Pub built their confidence as business owners and laid the foundation for future growth. As they stabilized operations at the pub, the SBDC shared an opportunity to pursue an airport concession at Sacramento International Airport. Edwin and Andrea saw a chance to build a concept that showcased Sacramento’s local food, beverages, breweries, and distilled spirits. The project was far larger, with a competitive proposal to prepare.

Panda helped them work through the full scope of the opportunity. Their advising sessions covered financial projections, scenario planning, and overall business readiness, which helped the co-owners validate the concept, refine their financial assumptions, and approach their lender with clarity.

“The power of what [the Sacramento Valley SBDC] have been able to do for us is being a true connection point. [They] have a wealth of knowledge and helped point us in the right direction with resources like [SBDC Business Advisor] Panda Morgan. [They] also connected us to other clients and people we could learn from, which made a big difference as we grew and expanded,” Edwin shared.

Edwin and Andrea strengthened their proposal, secured financing from Banner Bank, and were awarded the airport concession.

From the pre-security area of Terminal B, Local Flights brings the flavors, creativity, and community of Sacramento to travelers and airport employees, featuring regional products in a high-traffic location. The launch expanded the owners’ business footprint while Rio Pub remains a stable base back home in Rio Linda.

To learn more about Local Flights, visit them online.

And if you are in the Sacramento Valley and interested in starting or growing your own business, connect with the Sacramento Valley SBDC to learn about their no-cost advising, training programs, and business development resources.

11/4/2026