DTW Restaurants & Retail Recognized for Excellence

The new restaurant and retail redevelopment program at Detroit Metropolitan Airport’s (DTW’s) McNamara Terminal is wooing travelers and earning top honors from airport industry trade associations and customers alike.

The airport’s new P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, across from Gate A-36, was recently recognized as Best New National Brand Concept, in the 2016 Excellence in Airport Concession awards presented by Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA).  P.F. Chang’s is operated by Hojeij Branded Foods & Joint Venture Partner, AP United LLC. 

Detroit’s-own Italian restaurant favorite, Andiamo, near Gate A-30, was also recently named Best New Food & Beverage Concept in its class, in the Airport Revenue News - 2016 Best Airport Concession Awards.  Andiamo is operated by Midfield Concession Enterprises.

“Our new airport concessions are some of the best in the business,” said Airport Authority CEO Thomas Naughton.  “Our mix of local, national and even international brands appeal to the broad spectrum of passengers we serve.  We are honored by the awards, and are proud of the successful work by our team and partners that went into developing winning-concepts our travelers enjoy.”

“Many of our new concession spaces really enhance the customer’s experience at our airport,” said Airport Authority Vice President of Business Development Joseph Nardone.  Our new food courts have expanded into the surrounding gate areas, offer self-ordering from tablets, and personal delivery while you wait for your flights.  One of our operators has also brought live music into their spaces.  We are also trying to offer more variety and healthy choices our travelers are demanding.  All of these little touches make a difference, and have an impact on how travelers feel about our airport and their travel experience.”

Other unique amenities offered in the airport’s new program include locally-sourced food and produce from Detroit’s-own historic Eastern Market, live green walls, contemporary lounge seating, and new digital directory displays in the terminal.

The airport has also been successful in creating opportunities for small, minority and women-owned businesses to participate in the program’s success.   The new restaurant and retail program boasts a combined 42% participation rate for Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (ACDBEs) – more than double the program’s original goal.

In addition to the best-in class awards above, DTW’s new Plum Market / Zingerman’s concept, located near Gate A-34, also operated by HBF-APU, received a 2nd place finish for Best New Food & Beverage Quick-Service Concept, and the McNamara Terminal was named 2nd Best New Large Airport Retail Program in the ACI-NA 2016 Excellence in Airport Concession Contest. 

The transformative concession redevelopment program at the McNamara Terminal began in late 2012.  More than 50 new restaurant and retail venues, and investment of nearly $50 million has been incorporated into the award-winning program.