Eataly's First Units At A U.S. Travel Hub Will All Be At New York's JFK Airport

Forbes

07-05-2025

Eataly is coming to an airport near you (if you live in NYC). (Photo by Alex Tai/SOPA ... More Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
The Italian marketplace and high-end retail concept, Eataly—which now has 13 North American locations and over 50 stores worldwide—will open three units at John F. Kennedy International Airport this year, its first in a U.S. travel location.
Landing at terminals 4, 5, and 8, the retail spaces will be operated by HMSHost, part of the world's biggest airport retailer Avolta, which has expanded its JFK footprint with contract wins at T5 (more on that below), awarded by concessions developer Fraport USA. Fraport was appointed by JetBlue, the primary airline tenant at the terminal.
Eataly—majority owned (with a stake of 52%) by the well diversified European investment company Investindustrial—has plans for tailored spaces adapted to each terminal, in the same way that its three New York City locations in downtown, Flatiron and Soho have their own distinct look and feel.
CEO of Eataly North America, Tommaso Brusò, described the three locations set for JFK as 'historic openings' because of the potential footfall; the airport served 63.3 million passengers last year. Brusò commented: 'We're excited to reach new audiences.'
In a statement, Tyler Pitman, Avolta's senior vice president for concept development and brand partnerships in North America, added: 'Eataly is one of the quintessential culinary experiences of NYC and acclaimed success around the world. This makes it a wonderful addition to our food and beverage (F&B) program at JFK.'
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which oversees JFK Airport in the borough of Queens, has been very active in ensuring new retail and F&B at the gateway will lead to a positive transformation as part of a $19 billion revamp with four major terminal projects underway or completed, including the giant New Terminal One where Duty Free Americas recently won the core retail contract.
Eataly is a new retail/dining model for the airport
Eataly describes itself as 'the sole genuinely international Italian food retail company, serving as an emblem of Italian culinary artistry and, more broadly, the essence of Made in Italy.' The concept is popular, with locations in European cities like London and Milan, as well as several in the United States, proving successful.
A rendering of how the JFK store will look in Terminal 8. Eataly/HMSHost
Company sales hit €656 million ($744 million) in 2023 due to accelerated growth initiated by Investindustrial. The business is equally balanced between dining and retail, though geographically it is North America that is now the revenue driver with a 61% share in 2023.
Having consolidated its presence in Europe, international development has also included the first Eataly-branded products and global expansion at some of the world's major cities. Recent openings have taken place in the United Arab Emirates, Japan, Turkey, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, HMSHost's parent Avolta secured two contracts at Terminal 5. The retailer's subsidiary, Hudson, has won a seven-year contract to launch a Manhattan-inspired retail store and T5's first video gaming lounge called Gameway. The other contract is a 10-year deal to revamp the terminal's dining experience through which HMSHost will debut six restaurants spanning more than 7,800 square feet, one of which is Eataly.
The others are 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, best known for its fresh salads and house dressings.
Steve Johnson, Avolta's president and CEO of North America, said: '2025 will be a landmark year for Hudson and HMSHost as we expand our retail and F&B operations in several terminals at JFK.'