USA. Passengers travelling from Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) will have two new restaurants to enjoy this month thanks to SSP America’s latest post-security food courts.
SSP America was recently awarded a contract to operate a new portfolio of eateries which will first include Peet’s Coffee and Ike’s Love & Sandwiches and will then introduce the Mad Duck Craft Brewing Co by 2025.
The new clutch of restaurant franchises will celebrate the California region’s richly diverse culinary landscape. It will open in stages, with curated taster menus to start, while construction works take place.
Peet’s Coffee will begin with a limited menu of coffees, teas and pastries on the site of the former Starbucks location, with works expected to finish by late summer next year.
Meanwhile, the second-floor restaurant space will transition to an interim concept called Tap & Pour while works on the eventual Mad Duck Craft Brewing Co take place. Designed specifically for its Concourse A location, Mad Duck at FAT will include a full-service bar and casual dining.
Tap & Pour’s food menu will playfully doth its cap to the region with a Yosemite Breakfast Plate and a chunky Fresno Burger. An expanded seating area at the interim Tap & Pour will provide more capacity for travellers to enjoy a sneak preview of Mad Duck’s signature craft beers on draft.
Meanwhile Ike’s Love & Sandwiches, famed for its closely guarded secret ingredients, will occupy a brand-new space just after security screening.
“Partnering with SSP America on the airport’s new concession programme to host a variety of preferred food and beverage offerings is a significant step to meeting passenger needs as the airport grows into its future concourse addition,” said Director of Aviation Henry Thompson.
“These concession concepts are envisioned to inspire a fun and lively atmosphere for a unique airport dining experience, and we are excited to introduce a new, locally inspired, concessions programme in the existing terminal and new concourse.”
Senior Vice President of Development and Airport Retention Paul Loupakos added, “The Central San Joaquin Valley is home to some of the most beautiful landscape in North America, and FAT is a gateway to the natural beauty so many travellers want to experience. Our SSP America team is going to bring cool, authentic restaurants to FAT that reflect the culinary landscape. We’re looking forward to developing the portfolio at Fresno and being enthusiastic members of the FAT community.”
SSP Group recently conducted the biggest-ever industry survey into traveller demands and spending habits in the F&B space showing that more than half of airport visitors see eating and dining in the airport as a huge part of their holiday experience. ✈︎
FAB EZINE SET TO RETURNThe Moodie Davitt Report is delighted to announce the return of the FAB eZine, a standalone digital magazine dedicated to airport and other travel-related food & beverage views, news, trends, tastes, people, product and principles. Initially quarterly, beginning in Q4 2023, The FAB eZine will devote year-round coverage to the burgeoning airport food & beverage sector, including broader hospitality services such as hotels and lounges.  The FAB eZine will complement the annual Airport Food & Beverage (FAB) Conference & Awards and our already extensive F&B and hospitality coverage on The Moodie Davitt Report.com and in The FAB Newsletter.  Elişa Roche has been appointed Editor-in-Chief, bringing a rare combination of culinary and journalistic excellence and experience to the role. Elişa trained as a chef as part of ‘Jamie’s Kitchen’, a British TV show watched by millions and fronted by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver. She went on to work as Chef de Partie at some of London’s top Michelin-starred kitchens, e.g. Fino (now Barrafina), The Ivy and Bambou. Cooking later turned to food writing and presenting, most recently as overseeing editorial partnerships at Food Matters Live. Elişa was also Host and Producer of award-winning B2B podcast ‘Career Conversations’, encouraging young people into the food & drinks industry. *For editorial enquiries please contact Elişa Roche at Elisa@MoodieDavittReport.com. For advertising please reach out to Martin Moodie at Martin@MoodieDavittReport.com |
