Eataly Launches Initial Three U.S. Travel Destinations at New York's JFK Airport Terminals
Revamped airport dining with a taste of the Big Apple:
Get ready for a delightful transformation at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) as Eataly, the renowned Italian marketplace, sets foot in not one, but three of its terminals – 4, 5, and 8 – this year. This marks the brand's first foray into a U.S. travel location, bringing a taste of New York's culinary scene to travelers.
This exciting expansion is spearheaded by HMSHost, a part of the world's leading airport retailer Avolta, which has been expanding its JFK footprint with new contracts. Fraport USA, appointed by JetBlue, is the concessions developer responsible for this improvement at the primary airline tenant's terminal.
Eataly, majority-owned by the diversified European investment company Investindustrial, plans to customize spaces for each terminal much like its three New York City locations in downtown, Flatiron, and Soho, all boasting unique vibes. Tommaso Brusò, CEO of Eataly North America, refers to these openings as "historic" due to their potential footfall – JFK served 63.3 million passengers last year.
Avolta's senior vice president for concept development and brand partnerships in North America, Tyler Pitman, shares his enthusiasm: "Eataly is one of the quintessential culinary experiences of NYC and an acclaimed success around the world. This makes it a wonderful addition to our food and beverage (F&B) program at JFK."
Meanwhile, Avolta's parent company secured two contracts at Terminal 5. The retailer's subsidiary, Hudson, will launch a Manhattan-inspired retail store and T5's first video gaming lounge called Gameway. Additionally, HMSHost has a 10-year deal to revamp the terminal's dining experience, debuting six restaurants spanning over 7,800 square feet.
Besides Eataly, other new dining concepts include Benateri's, a deli experience featuring signature Italian sandwiches; Big Bourbon Bar NYC, showcasing locally sourced Hudson Whiskey NY; the Mexican flavors of Dos Toros Taqueria; and Chopt, known for its fresh salads and house dressings. Steve Johnson, Avolta's president and CEO of North America, anticipates 2025 will be a remarkable year for the company as they expand their retail and F&B operations in several terminals at JFK.
This transformation at JFK aligns with a $19 billion revamp that includes four major terminal projects, such as the giant New Terminal One. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which oversees JFK Airport in Queens, is eager to bring new retail and F&B to the gateway, contributing to a positive transformation as part of the ongoing metamorphosis at JFK.
Travelers at John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) can now experience a piece of New York City's lifestyle with the introduction of Eataly, an Italian marketplace, in terminals 4, 5, and 8. Meanwhile, Avolta, a global airport retailer, is partnering with Hudson to launch a Manhattan-inspired retail store and a video gaming lounge at Terminal 5, as part of their continued expansion and revamp at JFK.
