USA. United Concessions Group (UCG) has opened venues in partnership with two well-known regional fast food brands – Frisch’s Big Boy and Skyline Chili – at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. Both brands are making their airport debuts.
Cincinnati-headquartered Frisch’s Big Boy, which operates 90 locations across Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana, has opened in Concourse A. The restaurant is known for its burgers, tartar sauce and desserts.
The new airport restaurant menu includes a breakfast plate (pancakes, two eggs and meat), biscuit sandwiches, breakfast burritos and the Breakfast Boy Sandwich.
The lunch and dinner menu includes the Big Boy and Super Big Boy burgers, an original fish sandwich, turkey melt, vegetable soup, hot fudge cake and apple, pumpkin and cherry pies.
The Frisch’s Big Boy airport grand opening was celebrated with a ribbon cutting and the giveaway of 300 small pumpkin pies (also known as ‘pie babies’) to passengers.
Meanwhile, Skyline Chili has opened in the Concourse B food court. The F&B brand is a chain of chili restaurants, also headquartered in Cincinnati, with 160 locations spread across Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and Florida.
The restaurant offers an airport-exclusive breakfast menu which includes the Skyline Breakfast Coney, Breakfast Chilito, Breakfast Way and Breakfast Burrito. Additional food options are offered throughout the day including a range of Cheese Coneys and Cheese Ways.
Skyline Chili CEO Dick Williams said: “We frequently hear from customers that Skyline is the last stop before they travel and first stop when they get back home. We are thrilled to partner with CVG to provide another location to make that happen.
“Customers can expect the traditional Skyline menu with their favourite Coneys and Ways. We are also releasing a brand-new airport breakfast menu that we’re excited for people to try.”
Commenting on the two openings, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport CEO Candace McGraw said: “We are focused on bringing beloved local businesses, as well as additional known offerings, into our concession programme to serve our passengers.”
Both new venues are owned and operated by UCG. Speaking to The Moodie Davitt Report, the company’s Executive Vice President Spencer Shaw said: “We are pleased to increase our Cincinnati footprint with these great new openings under the names of F&B brands strongly associated with the city. With a nationwide growth plan, we are seeking new locations to build our airport business across the US.”
Shaw revealed to us that UCG has recently secured two new restaurant locations at San Diego International Airport. Parfait Paris – a French bakery, dessert and coffee concept – is scheduled to open in 2025 and Chick-fil-A – the well-known US fast food brand – is planned for opening at the California airport in 2028.
“This marks the initiation of our westward expansion,” said Shaw, “and our development team is actively pursuing more.”
Shaw noted that UCG has nearly tripled its sales volume and workforce both within and outside the airport space since 2019. “With a 37.87% average annual growth rate, we believe we are positioned for sustained success and progress for years to come,” he concluded. 
