Midway Partnership Receives Top Industry Honor for Airport Concessions Program

Richard A. Griesbach Award from ACI-NA recognizes excellence in dining, retail, and passenger experience at Chicago Midway International Airport

CHICAGO – Midway Partnership, in collaboration with the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA), has been awarded the Richard A. Griesbach Award of Excellence in Airport Concessions by Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA), the highest honor recognizing outstanding airport concessions programs.

The award recognizes Midway Partnership’s comprehensive redevelopment of the dining, retail and passenger amenities program at Chicago Midway International Airport, which has transformed the traveler experience while delivering meaningful economic impact for the City of Chicago.

“Midway International Airport is an essential gateway for Chicago, and this national recognition reflects our continued commitment to investing in world-class amenities that serve residents, visitors and the broader community,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “Through this partnership, Midway is delivering a concessions program that celebrates Chicago’s local businesses, creates jobs and ensures travelers experience the very best of our city.”

Midway Partnership, a joint venture comprised of Vantage Group, SSP America and Hudson, has invested more than $75 million to transform the airport’s concessions program, bringing more than 70 new dining and retail brands to Midway and expanding the total concessions area from approximately 40,000 square feet to 70,000 square feet.

The redevelopment has prioritized iconic local Chicago brands alongside national and global retailers, creating a strong sense of place for the more than 22 million passengers who travel through Midway each year. New and recent additions include R.J. Grunts, Mr. Beef, Garrett Popcorn Shops, Connie’s Pizza, and America’s Dog & Burger, along with new shopping and amenities options such as MAC Cosmetics, Jo Malone, and Gameway, a video gaming and entertainment lounge.

“The transformation of Midway International Airport would not be possible without our great partners who consistently deliver a first-class airport experience for our passengers,” said CDA Commissioner Michael McMurray. “Since 2017, Midway Partnership has been an amazing collaborator with the CDA in the reimagination of concessions options throughout the airport, and it has been a wonderful supporter of our efforts to highlight local businesses that are most deserving of concessions opportunities. This award represents the dedication and hard work of all at the CDA and Midway Partnership who have worked to transform Midway for nearly a decade, and it is an honor to be recognized by ACI-NA.”

The program has also delivered strong business results. In 2025, total concessions sales surpassed $144 million, the highest level since Midway Partnership assumed management in 2017.

“We are incredibly honored to receive this recognition from ACI,” said Sammy Patel, Vice President Commercial, Vantage  Group & CEO, Midway Partnership. “This award reflects the strength of the Midway Partnership and the shared commitment of our shareholders; Vantage Group, SSP America, and Hudson, alongside the Chicago Department of Aviation, and our local partners to deliver an exceptional concessions program. Together, we have built a platform that celebrates Chicago’s iconic local brands and concession operators, elevates the traveler experience, and creates meaningful economic opportunity. Most importantly, this recognition belongs to the thousands of dedicated employees across Midway Partnership and our concession partners whose passion and service bring this program to life every day.“

SSP America Chief Executive Officer George Mboya commented, “SSP America brings the MDW restaurant program to life with a portfolio of more than 20 restaurant concepts including a variety of local, small, woman- and minority-owned, and multi-generational brands. With nearly 500 employees, we’re proud to be creating meaningful jobs and economic opportunities that strengthen Chicago’s local communities with the goal of being the best part of the journey for travelers.”

“We’re proud to be part of Midway Partnership and honored to share in this prestigious recognition,” said Steve Johnson, President & CEO, North America, Avolta. “Hudson and our local JV partners strive to make every journey as rewarding as the destination for Midway travelers and we’ve curated a retail offering that spans travel essentials, local gifts and confections, globally recognized brands, and more. Across nearly 20 stores, our team members create meaningful moments for travelers every day, contributing to the success of Midway Partnership.”

Since 2017, Midway Partnership has opened 55 concessions locations, including 26 local concepts that bring a distinctly Chicago taste and feel to the airport. The program has introduced 11 new full-service restaurants, a 15,000-square-foot Concourse A Food Hall, a new Central Market with expanded dining and shopping options, and new passenger amenities including The Club MDW and Gameway.
A central component of the redevelopment is its commitment to economic inclusion and community impact. The program is creating hundreds of new employment opportunities in the City of Chicago and is on track to grow concessions jobs from 700 to approximately 1,400. Midway Partnership has also achieved one of the nation’s highest Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise participation levels, with referenced materials noting participation at 56%.

Beyond new build-outs, Midway Partnership and the CDA continue to partner on marketing, passenger engagement, promotions, seasonal events and pop-up activations throughout the terminal. These initiatives are designed to surprise and delight travelers, promote concessions partners and reinforce Midway’s identity as a uniquely Chicago airport experience.

Together, these efforts position Chicago Midway International Airport as a leader in airport concessions innovation, passenger experience and community-centered development.

ABOUT THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF AVIATION (CDA)

The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) owns and operates one of the world’s busiest airport systems, comprised of O’Hare and Midway International Airports. Chicago’s airports offer service to more than 260 nonstop destinations worldwide, including 76 international destinations combined. Together, Chicago’s airports serve nearly 100 million passengers each year and generate approximately $70 billion in annual economic activity for the region, while supporting 700,000 jobs throughout nine area counties. More than 54,000 employees work directly at O’Hare and Midway.

The CDA is self-supporting, using no local or state tax dollars for operations or capital improvements at either airport. For more information, visit flychicago.com.

ABOUT MIDWAY PARTNERSHIP

Midway Partnership is a joint venture comprised of some of the top companies in the aviation industry – Vantage Group, SSP America, and Hudson – tasked with transforming the dining and shopping options at Chicago Midway International Airport. Midway Partnership has invested over $75 million to bring more than 70 new dining and retail brands to the airport. Midway Partnership is creating hundreds of new employment opportunities in the City of Chicago and is well on the way to doubling the number of concessions jobs at the airport from 700 to 1,400. The project has increased the total concessions area from approximately 40,000 square feet to 70,000 square feet. Our work positions Chicago Midway to be a leading international airport in the coming years, generate tens of millions of dollars for Chicago residents and the city, and improve the travel experiences of 22 million passengers annually.

For more information about Midway Partnership, please visit www.midwaypartnership.com.

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