The airport landscape has evolved significantly in recent years – and Delaware North has certainly been a driving force, with growth visible across its travel hospitality business.
Leaders from Delaware North’s travel hospitality business celebrated the recent openings of two Southern California-based concepts – Habit Burger Grill and Wahoo’s Taco & More – at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
The latest additions at LAX have been well-received by both guests and Delaware North’s clients at the airport, Westfield and Los Angeles World Airports, said Jeffrey Friedman, a regional vice president of Delaware North’s travel hospitality business.
“Congrats to Kurt Clausen, our GM at LAX, and his team – and the many others who have worked endlessly to open our newest restaurants, Habit Burger Grill and Wahoo’s Taco & More,” Friedman said. “For both brands, these are their first airport locations. And what better place than LAX, since both concepts got their start here in So Cal? We have opened to positive reviews from travelers as well as our clients.”
Despite ongoing construction in the terminal, the restaurants, which opened at the end of September, have been performing well.
“Construction has been taking place throughout the entire terminal, so we have not been without our challenges. But in spite of that, the team is delivering tremendous combined sales each day,” Friedman said.
Delaware North’s team from LAX also received praise for its successful operation of Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, the largest privately held specialty coffee and tea retailer in the United States. At Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf’s recent annual conference, Raul Nieves, a department manager for Delaware North at LAX, was named New Manager of the Year for the retailer’s domestic operations.
The Nieves-led location in LAX’s Delta Terminal 5 boasts the highest grossing revenue across all Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf operations, Friedman said.
PHOTO CAPTION: Raul Nieves shows off his New Manager of the Year award.