SSP America has been awarded a 10-year contract by the city of Phoenix and the city of Phoenix Aviation Department to commercially develop and operate five separate food and beverage concession spaces at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). The new restaurants will cover a total of 19,833 square feet of concession space in the North and South Concourses of Terminal 3 as well as the lobby and ticketing areas. The contract will see SSP America introduce a mix of award-winning local and chef-driven brands as well as two, enormously popular, forward-thinking national brands.
SSP America’s new contract is part of the gateway’s wider modernization program. The $590 million Terminal 3 Modernization Program is set to enhance the customer experience for travellers by providing a more efficient way of getting through the terminal. The modernization is planned as three distinct phases to maximize flexibility and minimize impact to travellers and will be completed in 2020. Currently, the terminal processor and the South Concourse are under construction. The North Concourse will be the final phase of the project.
Pat Murray, executive vice president of SSP America, commented: “PHX continues to grow with robust passenger increases, extensive growth in concessions, and an impressive upsurge in food and beverage sales between 2011-2016 in Terminal 4. PHX continued level of progress is a direct result of the Aviation Department’s proactive inward investment. SSP America is enormously proud to be a part of this continued investment and is deeply honored to have been awarded this significant new contract. Our portfolio features no less than nine award-winning local brands which will not only give PHX passengers a true taste of place, but also keep jobs and revenues contributing back to the Valley of the Sun community.”
SSP’s line-up includes:
- The Habit Burger Grill (Lobby)— The Habit Burger Grill is a burger-centric, fast casual restaurant concept that specializes in preparing fresh, made-to-order chargrilled burgers and sandwiches featuring USDA choice tri-tip steak, grilled chicken and sushi-grade tuna cooked over an open flame. In addition, it features fresh made-to-order salads and an appealing selection of sides, shakes and malts. The Habit was named the "best tasting burger in America" in July 2014 in a comprehensive survey conducted by one of America's leading consumer magazines.
- Original ChopShop (Lobby)— Local favorite Original ChopShop is a neighborhood eatery crafting ‘Just Feel Good Food’ from whole ingredients. The menu offers protein bowls, acai and pitaya bowls, fresh-squeezed juices, protein shakes, salads and sandwiches that are made from scratch on-site with real, quality ingredients.
- Überrito Fresh Mex (Lobby)— Combining the German word, “Über” meaning “above” or “beyond” with the Mexican culinary mainstay “burrito”—Überrito brings passengers above and beyond über fresh, über delicious burritos. By combining an abundance of the very best ingredients at their peak of freshness, Überrito defies predictable preconceptions of Fresh-Mex offering taste combinations you won’t find anywhere else.
- The Tavern (South Concourse)—Straight from its East Camelback Road location, Chef Mark Tarbell’s, The Tavern, brings a relaxed and approachable foodie oasis—a tony little gem serving fresh-forward, chef-driven plates in a fast and casual environment. The Tavern’s South Concourse location will also include a large wine retail component that will allow passengers to buy handpicked, premium wines to enjoy at their next destination.
- Christopher’s Crush (South Concourse)— James Beard Award-winning chef and restaurateur, Christopher Gross, brings his thoroughly modern, locally laurelled, Christopher’s Crush to PHX’s South Concourse. Featuring handcrafted cocktails, top-notch local and international brews, handpicked wines and award-winning, chef-driven gourmand plates—Christopher’s Crush will be the ultimate PHX oasis.
- Phoenix Ale Brewery Central Kitchen (North Concourse)—Straight from its super hip CenPho location, Phoenix Ale Brewery Central Kitchen is a celebration of craft beer and craft food. PAB Central Kitchen brings a unique, only in Phoenix experience serving up Phoenix Ale Brewery’s top-notch local brews and pairing them with one-of-a-kind dishes that make guests wonder why they ever settled for traditional pub fare.
- Tru Burger Co. (North Concourse)—Family owned and operated, Tru Burger Co., welcomes travelers to a menu made from TRU local flavors. Handcrafted, gourmet burgers are made fresh daily from locally sourced ingredients and fresh custom baked breads, delivered daily; all meats are antibiotic and hormone free. From crafting your own burger, to salads, fresh sides, sandwiches, big dogs and more, Tru Burger’s goal is to inspire community awareness with a TRU-Passion for a custom, fresh, high quality experience while ensuring dedicated support to the local Valley economy.
- Leoni’s Focaccia (North Concourse)—The best, most memorable sandwiches begin with the best bread, and at Valley-based Danielle Leoni’s Leoni’s Focaccia, the freshly baked, Roman-style focaccia bread isn’t just the best in the Valley—it’s in a memorable league of its own. Leoni’s Focaccia brings innovative, chef-driven spins on classic Italian sandwiches, keeping jetsetters and local fans, coming back for more.
- Ajo Al’s Mexican Café (North Concourse)—Using the freshest ingredients and authentic recipes, Ajo Al’s Mexican Café provides a taste of traditional Mexican cuisine with a modern Sonoran style twist and a casual, fun atmosphere they have been famous for since 1986. With fresh, handcrafted house specialties locals have known and loved for years, Ajo Al’s is the perfect spot to enjoy delicious, handmade Mexican food in Phoenix.
- Crave Grounds (North Concourse)— Jim Murphy’s Crave Grounds in North Scottsdale brings America’s favorite breakfast time, snack time, any time coffee and donuts combo into the modern day. Offering a unique and inviting local coffee and donut experience, Crave Grounds features an endless variety of hot & fresh, made-to-order mini donuts, specialty tea, and a full espresso bar using a locally roasted four bean coffee blend, offered only at Crave Grounds.
- Peet’s Coffee (Ticketing)—As one of the nation’s favorite premium coffee companies, Peet’s Coffee delivers a deep, rich coffee drinking experience. Guests will enjoy fresh roasted and handcrafted hot espresso drinks and an assortment of cold brewed coffee drinks all prepared from Peet’s full line of fair trade, responsibly sourced coffee beans. Peet’s ticketing location will offer other retail items—from bestselling newspapers, magazines and books, to travel related sundries, luggage, souvenirs and gifts; the range will offer passengers the conveniences they need.
These incredibly successful, award-winning brands and restaurateurs don’t just represent the Valley’s culinary landscape, they define it. Each brand sources locally wherever possible and is considered an integral component of the wider Phoenix community, helping to drive economic prosperity across the region. Sense of place, taste of place and commitment to the community combined with optimum choice for the passenger and exceptional customer service are the hallmarks of SSP America’s new contract with PHX.