SSP America CEO discusses plans for concessions at new PIT terminal, user-friendly tech innovation, and more

The following article was published by Future Travel Experience

SSP America is Official Kick-off Hospitality Partner of the FTE World Innovation Summit. In this interview, Pat Murray, CEO, SSP America, shares plans for the F&B concessions at PIT’s new terminal, and more.

SSP America – Official Kick-off Hospitality Partner of the FTE World Innovation Summit, hosted by Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) on 13-15 May 2025 – is a leader in the aviation industry driven by a vision to bring local and authentic restaurant experiences to every airport in North America. “Our team members have a passion for exceptional food served by people who believe in heartfelt hospitality,” says Pat Murray, Chief Executive Officer, SSP America. “Our airport partners trust SSP America to deliver a world-class portfolio of brands with broad passenger appeal and lasting commercial viability. Our brand heroes trust us to bring a taste of place to their hometown airport.”

Like all attendees, SSP America attended the FTE World Innovation Summit to learn from industry pioneers, engage with participants during tours and workshops, and build meaningful connections with decision-makers. “We’re looking for new approaches aligned with our airport partners’ goals of pursuing the transformation of the aviation experience,” Murray shares.

SSP America is dedicated to delivering a ‘taste of place’ by curating airport dining experiences that reflect the unique culinary identities of the regions it serves. “This commitment involves partnering with local chefs, restaurateurs, and food artisans to introduce travellers to authentic, regionally inspired flavours,” Murray shares.

At Pittsburgh International Airport’s new terminal, SSP America is getting ready to open six new restaurants, including a Shake Shack whose CEO is from Pittsburgh and Convive Coffee Roastery, which is a beloved Pittsburgh-based café known for its expertly roasted, seasonally sourced coffee, and welcoming atmosphere. “We’re also opening four of SSP America’s award-winning boutique brands which will be tailored for the ‘PIT Traveller’,” Murray explains.

At any given moment, the SSP America team is working on dozens and dozens of new restaurant openings. Murray shares three examples:

• “The heralded Brooklyn Deli in New York founded by one of the restaurant industry’s legends, Shelly Firehouse.”
• “1933 Lounge + HC Tavern, which is an homage to two iconic Indianapolis restaurant brands created by an extraordinary restaurant group in Indy, Huse Culinary. 1933 is a speakeasy style lounge and HC Tavern is an American restaurant and bar. Among the many extraordinary dishes we serve is the world-famous shrimp cocktail which will knock your socks off.”
• “Oakland District opens in a few weeks and will bring the bold flavours and vibrant spirit of Oakland’s diverse neighbourhoods to travellers on the go.”

SSP America enhances the airport dining experience by integrating user-friendly technologies that streamline service and cater to modern traveller expectations. “Our solutions include contactless ordering via QR codes, self-service kiosks, and AI-powered, checkout-free retail concepts,” says Murray. “These solutions not only expedite service and improve order accuracy, but also adapt to the dynamic needs of airport operations, ensuring a seamless and efficient experience for passengers.”

As the Official Kick-off Hospitality Partner, SSP America believes in getting conferences like the FTE World Innovation Summit off to a great start. “That’s why we’re hosting the Welcome Reception event in the soon-to-open new terminal, between airport tours and the keynote speaker,” Murray adds. “We’re serving Primanti Brothers sandwiches, a local legend born in the 1930s to feed hungry truckers fast. Stacked with meat, coleslaw, and fries inside the sandwich, it’s bold, practical, and unmistakably Pittsburgh. I’m always eager to connect with airports leaders who are passionate about transforming the travel experience – especially through culinary experiences that deliver a taste of place.

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SSP America CEO discusses plans for concessions at new PIT terminal, user-friendly tech innovation, and more