Avolta set for New York JFK Terminal 4 debut after capturing 15-year food & beverage contract

USA. Avolta will make its debut at New York John F. Kennedy International Airport Terminal 4 after subsidiary HMSHost struck a 15-year food & beverage agreement with operator JFK International Air Terminal (JFKIAT). The concession extends HMSHost’s presence at JFK, where it has outlets at terminals 1, 5 and 8.

Avolta will open nine new restaurants over more than 1,500sq m of concession space. Local concepts include:

• Bessou, a Manhattan-based James Beard Foundation alumni offering Japanese comfort food;
• Fieldtrip, a Harlem-based restaurant that connects global cuisines through rice;
• Boqueria, a tapas bar offering traditional Spanish flavours;
• Eataly Restaurant & Bar with its gourmet marketplace;
• Brooklyn Tea & Market, a Brooklyn-based tea shop;
• Dos Toros Taqueria, a Mexican cuisine concept;
• Chopt, a popular salad destination that originated in Manhattan;
• Villa Russo Café, a Queens-based second-generation family business that brings Italian-American tradition to its cuisine, and a graduate of the Port Authority’s Institute of Concessions.

Additionally, HMSHost will further develop its partnership with the James Beard Foundation (JBF) to bring the Foundation’s Good To Go by JBF fast-casual concept to the terminal — which will debut in T4 with a menu by New York’s Due Madri.

HMSHost has formed joint-venture partnerships with seven local and diverse airport concessions disadvantaged business enterprise (ACDBE)-certified businesses for the contracts.

“In a city renowned for its culinary scene, JFK has evolved into a dining destination in and by itself,” said Avolta President and CEO, North America Steve Johnson.

“We embraced the opportunity to partner with JFKIAT, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and our joint-venture partners to be a part of the evolution of JFK and make the journey as exciting as the destination for travellers passing through Terminal 4.”

“From the outset, our goal in building a new JFK International Airport has been to create a world-class passenger experience that will include a mix of exceptional local food and beverage brands alongside notable national brands,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. “Terminal 4’s lineup of appealing, iconic local brands will help to create a travel experience that is unique to New York.”

“Locally owned, iconic food and beverage concessions at JFK’s Terminal 4 are an important part of our effort to create the world class experience that travellers expect at the nation’s premier international airport,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole.  “Passengers travelling through JFK International will get to experience the tastes of our region from the moment they arrive until the moment they depart.”

“The transformation of T4 and JFK Airport has given us a new opportunity to work with local businesses and provide gateways for meaningful local investment,” said JFKIAT Chief Executive Officer Roel Huinink. “I am looking forward to the arrival of our new local partners at T4, and I am pleased that we will be able to offer our customers even more authentic New York flavours and experiences.”

The contract gain follows four earlier-announced contracts: Hudson and Dufry’s 18-year agreements at JFK’s new Terminal 6 for duty-free, travel convenience, specialty retail and hybrid concepts, along with HMSHost and Hudson’s 11+ year agreements at Terminal 8 for F&B, duty paid, and convenience concepts.

Note: The Moodie Davitt Report publishes the FAB Newsletter, which features highlights of openings, events and campaigns from around the world of airport and travel dining.

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