USA. Los Angeles International Airport has welcomed two homegrown food & beverage brands, Marathon Burger and Kogi BBQ, to Terminal 1.
It marks the first phase of a wider commercial transformation at the airport ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The openings, delivered by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) in partnership with ASUR Airports and Concord Collective, form part of a programme to refresh more than 25 shopping and dining locations across terminals 1, 2, 3, 6 and Tom Bradley International Terminal.
Marathon Burger is making its airport debut, alongside a pop-up retail store selling branded merchandise, while celebrated chef Roy Choi’s Kogi BBQ brings its Korean-Mexican street food concept to the travel hub.
Local brands take centre stage
Marathon Burger builds on The Marathon Brand, established in 2010 by the late rapper and entrepreneur Nipsey Hussle. The business is now carried forward by his family and team, including brother and Co-Founder Samiel ‘Blacc Sam’ Asghedom.
Following the opening of its flagship restaurant on LA’s Melrose Avenue in 2025, the brand has expanded to five locations, including its new Los Angeles Airport outlet.
The Terminal 1 quick-service restaurant offers its signature Wagyu smash burgers alongside fries, hot wings, breakfast items and cocktails.
Asghedom said, “We are honoured to have this opportunity to bring Marathon Burger to LAX Terminal 1.
“We are appreciative to be able to allow travellers to experience our burgers right when they touchdown in LA. To be able to expand and have this be our fifth location is a huge blessing.”
Kogi BBQ, co-founded by Roy Choi in 2008, began as a food truck selling Korean short-rib tacos and became a well-known name in Los Angeles street food.
Its new airport location recreates elements of the original food truck experience, with a menu featuring tacos, burritos and quesadillas, complemented by a full bar.
Choi commented: “From the streets to the skies, Kogi is eternal. I can’t wait to see faces light up when they see Kogi at the airport.
“And now travellers can bring a Kogi burrito in their jacket pocket back to their hometowns.
“We are a local family running a local company feeding a local community.”
LAWA Chief Executive Officer John Ackerman said, “We’re on a mission to put the ‘LA’ in LAX, and I can’t think of a better way to start than Marathon Burger and Kogi BBQ.
“These brands are about more than great food. Visionary chef Roy Choi’s launch of Kogi helped shape LA’s street food culture, and Marathon carries forward Nipsey Hussle’s legacy of entrepreneurship and community pride.
“Bringing them to LAX gives travellers a real taste of our city.”
Wider concessions refresh
Concord Collective acquired the T1 food court programme from an international concessions operator in 2021 and has since focused on introducing locally rooted Los Angeles concepts.
Concord Collective Managing Partner and CEO Greg Plummer said, “We want guests to immediately know they’re in Los Angeles.
“These are authentically local brands with deep roots in the community, and that’s exactly the kind of experience we want to create at LAX.
“This is our moment. This demonstrates what a local operator can accomplish when given the opportunity to think big and deliver something truly distinctive for LAX.”
The openings also represent an early milestone in the broader concessions redevelopment being undertaken by LAWA and ASUR Airports as the city prepares to host the 2028 Games.
ASUR Airports Vice President, LAX Maral Matossian said, “With bold flavours, powerful stories and deep Los Angeles roots, Marathon Burger and Kogi BBQ embody the local authenticity we seek to deliver across our portfolio.
“Bringing these concepts to LAX not only gives guests an unmistakable taste of Los Angeles, but also showcases the local entrepreneurs, creativity and culture that make this City second to none.
“In the lead up to the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, we’re prouder than ever to collaborate with Los Angeles World Airports and our concessions partners to deliver new enhancements, experiences and amenities that put the LA into LAX.”
The T1 openings were marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, Los Angeles World Airports CEO John Ackerman, Asghedom and Choi, with performances by the Crenshaw Marching Band and music collective 1500 or Nothin’. 
