Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), in partnership with Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) Airports and Delta Air Lines, today celebrated the local and minority businesses powering the latest dining and retail offering at the new Terminal 3 at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) including local brands Alfred, Fat Sal’s, Homeboy, Native by Nyesha, and Yakumi.
Today’s milestone reflects LAWA and URW’s commitment to diverse, inclusive airport concessions and raises the bar on local, minority-, and female-owned business participation at LAX by including 22 minority business owners who are working together to deliver the best guest experience for Delta’s customers. The new program is expected to achieve Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) participation of 43 percent for food and beverage and 36 percent for retail, outperforming the 25 percent and 20 percent project goals.
“We’re excited to offer LAX guests a range of unique, locally-inspired experiences, while supporting the growth of remarkable businesses,” said Karim Webb, President, Board of Airport Commissioners. “Today’s celebration is a testament to the power of diversity, inclusion and community engagement. These efforts are proof that our partnerships with URW and Delta Air Lines are not just about enhancing the travel experience, but prioritizing and championing local and minority-owned businesses that reflect and showcase the best of Los Angeles.”
“As the international gateway to Southern California, LAX should reflect the vibrant diversity of Los Angeles, and this includes the dining and retail offerings available to our guests,” said John Ackerman, Chief Executive Officer, LAWA. “Los Angeles World Airports is thrilled to celebrate the inclusivity showcased in Terminal 3 at LAX, and proud that this vision was realized by Angelenos and community members for everyone who travels through our airport.”
“Together, we're creating an industry-leading guest experience and lowering the barriers to entry for small, local, and disadvantaged businesses,” said Dominic Lowe, U.S. Chief Operating Officer, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield. “Our partnership with Los Angeles World Airports and our concessions partners is creating economic opportunities for our communities, and we look forward to continuing to collaborate and innovate for an even more inclusive and world-class LAX concessions program.”
The new concessions include a mix of local favorites, celebrity-owned restaurants, the latest in travel essentials, unique gifts, and a selection of airport firsts.
“Across Delta's operation, we are committed to ensuring suppliers reflect the communities we serve and uplifting small business owners,” said Scott Santoro, Vice President Los Angeles and Sales West, Delta Air Lines. “With the completion of Terminal 3's new concessions program, customers can experience Los Angeles’ diverse and vibrant culinary scene while embarking on a premium travel journey. We appreciate our partners at LAWA and URW Airports for their continued partnership as we innovate toward the next era of travel at LAX.”
“Today's celebration of LAX Terminal 3's new dining and retail offerings is a testament to LAWA’s commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment,” said Eboni Wimbush, President and CEO, Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC). “By partnering with Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield and Delta Air Lines, LAWA not only elevated the passenger experience but also empowered local and minority-owned businesses, many of whom are AMAC members. With 22 minority business owners contributing to this dynamic new space, we’re proud of LAX exceeding its ACDBE participation goals and setting a new standard for airport concessions nationwide.”
The local and minority business owners, prime operators and joint venture partners include Luis Arandia (Arandia Designs - Hudson), Blanton Canady (BTII Incorporated - Concorde Collective), Joya Kizer-Clarke (Casa Unlimited Enterprises – Marshall Retail Group), Dale Mason Cochran (Concourse Ventures - Hudson), Harry E. Johnson (Creative Concourse Concessions - Areas), Sharon Jackson (Delightfully Different and Wholesome - Marshall Retail Group), Gregory Plummer (Concord Collective), Devika Maini (Fly Away Foods), Emma Walbridge (Gameway), Daniel Halpern (Jackmont), Javarro Edwards (JME Group - Concord Collective), Julie Jun (MAJ Collection - Hudson), Randi Sibonga (MCSB - Concord Collective), Nicholas Crews (Crews Companies), Norman Nixon (Nixon & Associates - Hudson), Sandy A. Roberts (Onsite Retailers - Concord Collective), Simeon Stewart and Michael Washington (Palazzo Concessions - Hudson), Robert B. Crews, III (RC3 Enterprises - Crews Companies), Shannon Westmore (Space B/D - Marshall Retail Group), and Karim Zaman (The Zaman Group - Hudson).
“Our collaboration with local L.A. Top Chef star Nyesha Arrington to develop and operate Native by Nyesha brings two minority-owned firms together elevate the LAX guest experience,” said Daniel Halpern, President and CEO, Jackmont. “In partnership with LAWA and URW Airports, we’re creating a more equitable and welcoming experience that truly represents the heart of Los Angeles.”
Jackmont Hospitality and SoCal Concessions brought rapper Ludacris’ popular Chicken + Beer to its first LAX location. Plus, they came together with Arrington to open Native by Nyesha, a go-to spot for fresh California-inspired cuisine at LAX. Native is the winner of the 2024 Airport Experience Award for Best Local Inspired Restaurant.
“This project in partnership with Jackmont Hospitality, is a celebration of Los Angeles’ vibrant and diverse food culture, offering travelers a taste of the city’s rich culinary mosaic,” said Nyesha Arrington, Chef Partner, Native by Nyesha. “By elevating the work of diverse chefs and incorporating multicultural dishes, we not only foster local pride but also advance our partnership to ensure that LAX reflects the voices, flavors, and traditions of all Angelenos, while supporting local businesses and underrepresented communities.”
Local, 100% minority-owned operator Concord Collective is behind the first airport outpost of beloved local beverage purveyor Alfred, serving innovative coffee and tea drinks embodying the L.A. lifestyle.
“LAX's new Terminal 3 is a shining example of what's possible when innovation meets inclusivity,” said Greg Plummer, Chief Executive Officer, Concord Collective. “We are extremely proud to partner with LAWA, URW Airports and Delta Air Lines to bring Alfred Coffee’s unique brand to the all-new program. This collaboration showcases our dedication and proves what is possible when we work together to create opportunities for minority and women-owned businesses to elevate the traveler journey and deliver a truly LA experience.”
Local woman-owned Fly Away Foods makes its airport debut with the opening of Jamba, a global leader serving on-the-go freshly blended smoothies, bowls and freshly squeezed juices.
“Providing opportunities and encouraging everyone to compete and shine is the heart of the American spirit that is admired throughout the world,” said Ajay Maini, Chief Operating Officer, Fly Away Foods. “Our partners at LAWA and URW Airports truly believe in this principle and offer small business enterprises like us, a true opportunity to rise, grow and succeed. By being inclusive, encouraging and including local businesses in the process and opportunities, we have highly benefited as an organization, and are uplifting and empowering our entire workforce family,”
Crews Companies, a local and minority-owned concessionaire, recently opened the one-of-a-kind Pizza Please, a ghost kitchen concept delivering pizzas through an innovative locker platform, plus CAVA with its flavor-packed Mediterranean menu comprised of curated bowls, pitas, salads, dips, drinks, and more. Crews is also behind local favorite Fat Sal’s, offering oversized sandwiches, loaded fries, and other comfort food classics and Yakumi, a fast-casual sushi hot spot.
“As a LA-based minority-owned company with deep roots in the city, we’re thrilled to contribute to LAX’s vibrant atmosphere and provide guests with a memorable culinary journey,” said Nicholas Crews, CEO/Managing Partner, Crews Companies. “Our long-term partnership with URW Airports, LAWA, and Delta Air Lines aligns perfectly with LAWA's steadfast commitment to inclusivity and supporting local businesses. Our innovative dining hall concept in Terminal 3 showcases a unique blend of local and diverse culinary offerings. By bringing together four beloved brands – Cava, Fat Sal’s, Yakumi, and Pizza Please – in two spaces, we’re providing guests with an exceptional dining experience.”
Areas and its minority partners are behind mission-based bakery Homeboy offering fresh handmade sandwiches and baked goods along with newly opened Starbucks.
Hudson along with its minority partners delivered the innovative Hudson Nonstop offering the latest in travel essentials and Evolve by Hudson which includes a curated offering of unique gifts. Guests can also pick up consumer electronic products and accessories at InMotion and a variety of local products and travel essentials at A/K Boulevard courtesy of Marshall Retail Group and its minority partners.
The terminal is also home to 100% woman-owned Gameway, the premier video gaming entertainment lounge offering personal gaming stations and a retro-gaming bar providing a place to relax, eat and drink.
The new restaurant and retail concessions are part of LAWA and Delta’s $2.3 billion-dollar modernization project to consolidate Terminals 2 and 3. The 1.2-million-square-foot, 27-gate complex provides an easy-to-navigate customer journey as well as airside connection to the Tom Bradley International Terminal.