The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA), in partnership with URW Airports, is excited to announce the arrival of the first Chick-fil-A, Protein Bar & Kitchen and Evolve by Hudson in a Chicago airport. Evolve recently opened in the newly-expanded Terminal 5 at O’Hare International Airport, and the other restaurants will be coming to the terminal in the summer of 2023.
Locally-owned Hyde Park Hospitality and its partner Phillips Concessions, 100% Airport Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (ACDBE), will own and operate the Chick-fil-A restaurant. Locally-based Protein Bar & Kitchen will run the O’Hare location along with ACDBE partners DC Garret Group and Chicagoan Miguel Cruz of BT Express. The concessions’ locations are a part of the largest set of concessions agreements at O’Hare in more than 30 years, which were proposed last year by Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and approved by City Council in May.
“Our continued investment at O’Hare is creating thousands of jobs, new opportunities for diverse businesses and an unparalleled traveler experience,” CDA Commissioner Jamie L. Rhee said. “The expanded Terminal 5 is bringing new and exciting dining and retail to the airport and building an even stronger representation of local and minority business owners.”
“We are thrilled to bring customer favorite Chick-fil-A to O’Hare,” said Marc Brooks, CEO of Hyde Park Hospitality. “It is a dream come true to open another 100% minority-owned and operated business in one of the busiest airports in the world, right here in my hometown. We cannot wait to create more good paying jobs and hospitality careers at the airport.”
“O’Hare is a perfect fit for Protein Bar & Kitchen and our expansion plan,” said Jeff Drake, Protein Bar & Kitchen CEO. “Our flavor-forward, better-for-you fast casual concept is well-known in Chicago and we look forward to introducing our popular menu items to the diverse customer base of domestic and long-haul international travelers in Terminal 5.”
Hyde Park Hospitality and Phillips Concessions are expected to create 75 jobs with the Chick-fil-A opening, while Protein Bar & Kitchen will employ approximately 25 people.
The restaurant openings are part of the $1.3 billion revamp of Terminal 5 that added 350,000 square feet and 10 gates and modernized the existing space. Delta Air Lines moved from Terminal 2 into Terminal 5 in October 2022, and Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot announced last week that Terminal 5’s new eastern extension is now open.
“The growth and opportunities we’re creating at Terminal 5 are exciting,” said Brian Petrow, URW’s Senior Vice President of Airport Operations. “We are thrilled to partner with the CDA to create a more diverse, dynamic experience for our customers.”
Chick-fil-A restaurants focus on serving customers great-tasting food made with quality ingredients, with produce delivered to kitchens up to six times a week. Chick-fil-A restaurants serve chicken raised with No Antibiotics Ever, starting from the egg. By not allowing antibiotics of any kind, Chick-fil-A chicken meets the highest commitment for non-antibiotic use.
Protein Bar & Kitchen features an expansive menu of bowls, salads, protein shakes, acai bowls and breakfast, along with the innovative grab-and-go snacks. Each Protein Bar & Kitchen destination is dedicated to the founding mission of providing delicious, nutritious, protein-packed foods for everybody. Protein Bar & Kitchen will first open a temporary grab-and-go location in February and then open its permanent location this summer, both in Terminal 5.=
Evolve by Hudson
Evolve by Hudson’s opening in Terminal 5 provides new shopping options for airport guests. Blending the accessibility of travel convenience with a specialty retail experience, Evolve by Hudson is a one-stop shop tailored to the local market.
At Evolve at ORD, guests can find the following local favorites:
Bitoy’s Sweet Treats Inc. – A Chicago original, treats include a dipped and baked selection of cookies and brownies, flagship favorites and hand crafted gourmet popcorn.
Lillie’s Q – Mouth-watering regional barbeque sauces, rubs, and kettle chips with flavors such as pimento cheese, sea salt & pepper, hot pepper vinegar and original.
beelove – “Chicagoland raw natural honey” jars and products such as beelove care & repair natural lip balm, raw natural honey lotion and cleanse and soften body lotion, all made with honey from O’Hare’s own on-airport apiary.
Katherine Anne Confections – Artisan confections, famous for their hand stirred caramel, hand rolled and dipped truffles, marshmallows, and drinking chocolate.
