USA. Denver-based family- and minority-owned travel concessionaire Mission Yogurt will more than double its US travel hub footprint this year with 16 new food & beverage and retail openings.
They will be spread across Denver International, San Diego International and John Wayne International airports.
At Denver, there will be seven openings in the airport’s Concourse A. They are:
- Maria Empanada (rendering below), which will serve all-day artisan empanadas and other specialties.
- Uncle (below), specialising in steamed buns, ramen and bowls for breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as beer, wine and cocktails by James Beard Award-nominated Chinese American chef Tommy Lee.
- The Bindery (below), offering a selection of artisanal foods, featuring ingredients responsibly sourced from a network of local farmers and other suppliers, for breakfast, lunch and dinner. There will also be a curated wine list and craft cocktails available.
- William & Graham, described by Mission Yogurt as the world’s first airport ‘speakeasy’, will serve classic cocktails.
- Tocabe, an American-Indian eatery offering a variety of grab-and-go Indian fry-bread tacos, plates, posu bowls, bison ribs and more, created with native ingredients and recipes.
- The Bagel Deli & Restaurant (below), the brand which is the oldest continuously operating deli in Denver, will serve a large selection of bagels, schmears and breakfast entrées. Also on offer will be a variety of soups, sandwiches and baked goods for grab-and-go.
- D Bar (below), offering desserts, as well as global cuisine for grab-and-go brunch, lunch and dinner, created by local celebrity chef and Food Network television personality Keegan Gerhard.
In Denver International Concourse C, there will be three more food & beverage openings. They are:
- ChoLon Modern Asian, offering interpretations of traditional Asian dishes, combined with nods to chef and founder Lon Symensma’s classical European training.
- Marczyk, a family-operated specialty grocer offering freshly-baked breads, homemade ice cream, soups, chicken pot pies, chili con carne, lasagnes and more, for dine-in or takeaway.
- Teatulia Tea & Coffee Bar, a female-owned café focused on creating a regenerative and self-sustaining community, offering organic teas, local coffee and handcrafted food, with onsite seating.
Across Concourse B and C, Mission Yogurt is to open three stores in partnership with Love From USA. They are:
- Black Canyon Market & Goods: The store in Concourse C offers products from local brands including Mountain Time Soap, Chocolove, Rowdy Mermaid, Sweetwood Beef Jerky and more. It will also sell souvenirs and have a grab-and-go cooler of high-quality food items.
- Longs Peak Market & Goods: In Concourse C, the store will offer reading materials, stationery, electronic accessories, sundries, sports merchandise and a wide variety of snacks and beverages from Colorado brands. These include Jerry’s Nut House, Bhakti Tea and The Good Crisp Company. The store will also house a grab-and-go cooler of ‘indulgent treats’.
- High Dune Market & Goods: In Concourse B, this store will feature a mix of local products and brands, such as Boulder Canyon Chips, Little Secrets Chocolate, Teatulia, Old Pine Candle Company and more. In collaboration with local and regional chefs, a grab-and-go menu will offer a taste of Colorado, incorporating local and seasonal ingredients.
At John Wayne International Airport, in Orange County, California, there will be two Mission Yogurt openings. They are:
- TAPS Fish House & Brewery (below) will offer seafood and fine steaks, with dishes featuring Chilean sea bass, sustainable salmon, fresh oysters and more in a 2,500sq ft Terminal A space. The drinks options include ales and lagers, with six craft brews on tap.
- Greenleaf Kitchen & Cocktails (below) will serve healthy dining options across breakfast, lunch and dinner in a Terminal C location. Greenleaf is known for its craft cocktail programme, which features curated spirits, seasonal ingredients and little to no added sugar options.
The final opening will be at San Diego International Airport Terminal 1:
- Dark Horse Coffee Roasters (below) will offer signature espresso-based drinks and coffees, plus a curated selection of food items and alcohol beverages.
The new openings will add to the Mission Yogurt’s existing portfolio of 14 restaurant concepts which already includes 11 at Denver International, two at San Diego International and a Denver Metro Mexican restaurant named Que Bueno Suerte.
Founded in 1988 by Denver native Rod Tafoya, Mission Yogurt first entered the airport space at Denver International in 1995 with the opening of Sara Lee Sandwich Shop/Colombo Yogurt. 
Note: The Moodie Davitt Report publishes the FAB Newsletter, which features highlights of openings, events and campaigns from around the world of airport and travel dining. Please email Kristyn@MoodieDavittReport.com to subscribe.
