JFKIAT, the operator of Terminal 4 at John F. Kennedy International Airport has partnered with Local, Queens-based Business Enterprise (LBE) Fratellini Restaurant Group, Inc. to open its proprietary brand, The Brooklyn Counter, at T4.
The new unit offers a dining experience that brings the sights, sounds and tastes of a New York City food cart right into T4. The opening of The Brooklyn Counter comes amidst T4’s second phase of its redevelopment – transforming the passenger experience and perfecting the art of travel – and joins a diverse lineup of announced food & beverage spaces at the terminal, including Eataly, Chopt, Boqueria, Villa Russo and more.
Designed as a food truck concept, this opening launches Terminal 4’s incubator program. With this program and in partnership with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, JFKIAT has financed the capital investment for the development of the concept, providing Fratellini the opportunity to operate Bagels on the Bay and Vinny’s Panini NYC for the first time as an airport concession. Within this format, Fratellini, in partnership with JFKIAT and the Port Authority, will select additional local businesses and brands to open within The Brooklyn Counter, offering mentorship and guidance to those local businesses, with the skills necessary to successfully operate an airport concession. Additional retail opportunities will be created by JFKIAT and the Port Authority in the future as part of T4’s commercial development.
“The opening of The Brooklyn Counter and our partnership with Fratellini represents our commitment to bring an authentic New York City experience into T4, while supporting small businesses and investing in local economic growth as the transformation of T4 comes to life,” said Roel Huinink, Chief Executive Officer of JFKIAT. “Vinny and his entire team are experts in customer service, already operating a successful business in Queens’ Astoria neighbourhood and at the TWA Hotel at JFK. Fratellini Restaurant Group’s core values align firmly with ours at JFKIAT and T4 – one rooted in community and service excellence. It’s been an honour to work with them and we look forward to seeing our passengers enjoy The Brooklyn Counter.”
