USA. Global hospitality and entertainment company Delaware North has won a tender to operate four new food & beverage outlets at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport. The winning concepts are mix of Detroit-based and national brands.
The contract award from the Wayne County Airport Authority expands Delaware North’s presence at the airport, which began in 2012 and includes existing foodservice and retail operations.
One of the new F&B units will combine two concepts in the form of 7greens and Wahlburgers. Healthy food-focused café 7greens is a local concept founded by Michigan native Kelly Schaefer, while Wahlburgers is an international burger chain owned by chef Paul Wahlberg and his actor brothers Donnie and Mark.
Schaefer said: “Witnessing the city’s revival, I knew I had to contribute, and I envisioned offering fresh, healthy food to fuel the soul. As a female chef and entrepreneur, I’m proud to lead 7greens – a company empowering and investing in women in the culinary industry.”
Mark Wahlberg commented: “Detroit is like a second home to me. I have countless memories, from filming Transformers to launching several business ventures. The city’s warm welcome and vibrant atmosphere have always been close to my heart.
“Joining the DTW airport community is an incredible honour, allowing us to share our signature burgers and uphold our brand pillars of great food, shared experiences and community giving. We can’t wait to bring a taste of our family-inspired recipes to the airport.”
Another key part of the new F&B programme will be Delaware North’s Cask & Craft Local Spirits + Bites, a beverage-focused concept featuring two renowned Detroit distilleries – Valentine Distilling Co. and Detroit City Distillery.
Valentine Distilling President & Founder Rifino Valentine said: “Nearly two decades ago, I founded Valentine Distilling with a mission: to bring manufacturing back to Detroit and showcase the world-class quality our city produces. Operating at DTW alongside Delaware North aligns perfectly with that vision.”
Detroit City Distillery Founder J.P. Jerome commented: “It won’t just be a bar; it will be a piece of Detroit’s spirit, welcoming travellers with a taste of our city’s resilience and innovation. This opportunity isn’t just about business; it’s about sharing a story of community, rebirth and the unwavering spirit of Detroit with the world.”
A combined unit featuring Born in Detroit Kitchen + Bar and Great Lakes Coffee Roasting is also planned. Aiming to showcase the best of Detroit’s food & beverage scene, Tomey Group-owned Born in Detroit Kitchen + Bar features retail items from local retailer Born in Detroit and is co-branded with café Great Lakes Coffee Roasting Company.
Tomey Group CEO Anthony Tomey said: “Having a presence at DTW isn’t just about selling clothes and serving drinks; it’s about showcasing Detroit to the world. I started Born in Detroit because this city is more than just a place; it’s a feeling, a hustle, a heart. We wanted to create clothes that captured that spirit, that let people wear their Detroit pride on their sleeve.
“This is our chance to tell the story of our city through everything we offer, to welcome visitors with a taste of Detroit’s energy, and to give Detroiters a place to share their city’s soul with everyone who passes through.”
Great Lakes Coffee Roasting Company Owner Greg Miracle commented: “The opportunity for our Great Lakes Coffee Roasting Company to be featured at DTW, and to represent the vibrant coffee culture of the local and regional community, is an overwhelming honour for us. It is the capstone to 30 years of hard work, sacrifice and forward-looking vision.”
The new F&B concessions programme is completed by Dunkin’, which will be managed by The OM Group, Delaware North’s local subtenant partner. The company is the largest and fastest-growing Dunkin’/Baskin Robbins franchisee network in Michigan.
Cask & Craft Local Spirits + Bites, Wahlburgers and 7greens will be located on Concourse A. Born in Detroit Kitchen + Bar will be located on Concourse B, while Dunkin’ will be sited close to pre-security baggage claim.
Fay and Mohamad (Moe) Dabaja, owners of Baba’s Grill in Detroit, are Delaware North’s ACDBE (Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise) joint-venture partners on most of the new concepts.
Fay Dabaja said: “Our family’s story is woven into the fabric of Detroit. We arrived here with dreams, starting as line cooks, then building a restaurant that nourished our community. Now, the chance to share our vision and our flavours with travellers from around the world at DTW is an incredible honour.
“It’s a testament to the power of hard work and the welcoming spirit of Detroit. We believe our cuisine is more than just food; it’s a bridge between cultures, a taste of our heritage and a celebration of the American dream.”
Delaware North Travel Division President Scott Socha said: “We’re thrilled to broaden our footprint in Detroit alongside our new and longstanding partners. These new concepts underscore our dedication to providing an exceptional guest-centric experience while highlighting the remarkable local talent and the rich, diverse culture of Detroit’s business and culinary scene.”
A timeline for implementation of the new F&B concepts will be announced soon. ✈
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