Mayor Rahm Emanuel joined the Chicago Department of Aviation, airport partners and community leaders today to open a new food hall offerings featuring nine new dining and retail choices at Midway International Airport. More than 1,000 Chicago residents have already been hired for concessions jobs as part of the redevelopment that will bring a total of more than 70 new food and retail brands to the airport by 2020.

“Today we celebrate investments that are working to ensure our airports remain competitive, while creating new jobs and continued economic growth for the City,” said Mayor Emanuel. “These new restaurants represent more than what people will eat before they get on their planes, they have helped create 1,000 jobs that put food on the table for each of those employees. And these are the types of investments we will continue making in Chicago and for our residents.”

Midway’s concessions renovation and expansion project comes at no cost to local taxpayers and is made possible through a $75 million investment by Midway Partnership.

One year into the project, concessions employment at Midway is up by 60 percent. Over the next three years, the concessions overhaul will double permanent concessions jobs as compared to the previous program, with 1,400 total hires expected.

Additionally, the overall revenue, spend per passenger, and Airport Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program (ACDBE) participation has increased. At 43 percent participation, Midway’s concessions program not only exceeds the goals set forth in the agreement, but boasts one of the highest ACDBE participation rates when compared to other major hubs nationwide. 

“One year in, our Midway concessions redevelopment is already benefiting the city and the traveling public by bringing in fresh new retail and dining options this summer,” said Jamie L. Rhee, Commissioner of the CDA. “We are proud that this program features so many iconic Chicago brands, as well as a committed team of local operators and employees who are working alongside us to deliver an enhanced experience at Midway.” 

The new 15,000-square-foot Food Hall in Concourse A leverages previously undeveloped space to make way for new food and retail options. The Food Hall features an open and light-filled concept, with seating for 200 travelers, charging stations, and a myriad of dining choices that includes Midway’s first ever sushi bar for passengers looking for a sit down meal or a quick snack. 

A total of six new brands are located on in the Food Hall, with three additional dining options located on Concourse B. They include:

• Arami
• BIG & little's
• Billy Goat Tavern  
• Camden Food Co.
• iStore
• Nuts on Clark
• Porkchop
• Reilly's Daughter
• Woodgrain Neapolitan Pizzeria   

Over the next three years, a full renovation will completely transform Midway’s existing concessions offerings, and expand total concessions space from 40,000 to more than 70,000 square feet. Throughout the program, an exciting lineup of 70 new restaurants and retail will be delivered in a carefully phased approach to minimize the impact to travelers.

When completed, the full redevelopment of Midway concessions will dramatically improve the experience for Midway travelers, with five new full-service restaurants and world-class customer service; the Concourse A Food Hall; a new Central Market complete with an expanded menu of food and wines; and other new amenities to ensure the airport remains a premier choice for its customers.

To construct the expansion and renovation of all new and existing concessions locations, Midway Partnership—a joint venture made up of Vantage Airport Group, SSP America, Hudson Group—is investing $75 million.

“Midway Partnership is proud to partner with the City during an important time for aviation in Chicago, and to bring a new world class program in collaboration with the community” said Midway Partnership CEO Sammy Patel. “We have brought together the best global experts in airport management, dining and retail to deliver the very best program for Midway. Over the next three years, our program will give passengers a sense of place by showcasing the best of Windy City’s food and retail offerings.”

The next phases of this development are set to get underway later this year, and include a host of additional new Chicago or Chicago-inspired brands including: Big Shoulders Coffee, DeColores Burrito, Home Run Inn, Hubbard Inn, the return of Harry Caray's 7th Inning Stretch, and more.

“The investments being made to modernize and improve Midway airport help strengthen our local economy by creating new jobs for residents and new opportunities for businesses in our communities,” said Alderman of 19th Ward and Chairman of the City Council Committee on Aviation Matthew O’Shea. “The new concessions program makes Chicago Midway a more attractive destination for travelers and ensures the airport stays competitive with other major airports around the nation.”

The concessions expansion and renovation is part of a larger capital program underway at Midway. Announced by Mayor Emanuel in 2015, the Midway Modernization Program (MMP) is Midway’s first capital program in nearly two decades and is designed to modernize and expand key passenger amenities at Midway. This nearly $400 million investment includes expansions to both the passenger security checkpoint area and terminal parking garage by 2020. In addition to preparing the airport for future growth, the program will deliver more than 1,400 new jobs for the community.

“Chicago's airports are growing, and as we see with Midway's vibrant new concessions program, they're growing opportunity for the community,” said Alderman of 36th Ward and Vice Chairman of the City Council Committee on Aviation, Gilbert Villegas. “As the City moves forward with new infrastructure for O'Hare and Midway, we will ensure Chicago not only has the world class aviation hub it deserves, but that our airport programs continue fueling new opportunity for our communities."

Investments to modernize Chicago’s aviation system remain a top priority for the Emanuel Administration. Two major capital programs are in motion today to prepare Chicago’s airports for modern travel and efficiency– O’Hare 21 and the Midway Modernization Program.  In addition to growing capacity and connectivity by adding modern infrastructure, these programs will create thousands of new jobs and opportunities for businesses of all sizes and specialties over the next decade.

About the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA):
The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) is self-supporting, using no local or state tax dollars for operations or capital improvements at O’Hare and Midway International Airports. Chicago’s airports offer service to over 260 nonstop destinations worldwide, including 47 foreign countries, combined. Together, Chicago’s airports serve more than 100 million passengers each year, and generate approximately $60 billion in annual economic activity for the region. For more information about O’Hare and Midway, please visitwww.flychicago.com

About Midway Partnership:
Midway Partnership is a joint venture comprised of some of the top companies in the aviation industry – Vantage Airport Group, SSP America, and Hudson Group – tasked with transforming the dining and shopping options at Midway Airport. Midway Partnership will invest $75 million over the next three years to bring more than 70 dining and retail brands to Midway by 2020, create 250 construction jobs and 1,400 permanent new jobs and increase the total concessions area from approximately 40,000 square feet to more than 70,000 square feet. Our work will position Midway to be a leading international airport in the coming years, generate tens of millions of dollars for Chicago residents and the city, and improve the travel experiences of the 22 million passengers annually. For more information about Midway Partnership, please visit www.midwaypartnership.com. 

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