Airport Experience® News - Conference Issue 2026

SPONSORS

The Grove, Inc. (TGI) is the preferred destination for in-demand cuisine, providing unrivaled service in some of the nation’s busiest and best airports TGI’s portfolio has expanded over 40-plus years to include strategic partnerships in food and beverage, with everything from QSRs to full-service restaurants and bars, including local, regional, and national favorites TGI prides itself on dedicated team members and strong alliances with brands and partners With TGI, you can always depend on quick and easy access to top level management and support staff, exceptional operations, and award-winning customer service Half Moon Empanadas is a fast-casual restaurant concept taking the US by storm with its authentic empanadas Since its founding in 2008, Half Moon has grown to 26 locations nationwide, with a focus on establishing empanadas as a beloved American food Their strategic expansion includes 15 locations in major airports, with even more on the way Recognized for its efficiency and innovation, Half Moon’s Miami International Airport location holds the title of #1 best-selling concept per square foot, while the Denver International Airport store is a top-performing stand-alone kiosk Beyond delicious food, Half Moon fosters a culture that empowers its team to dream big, develop their skills, and achieve their full potential High Flying Foods We are an award-winning airport concessionaire known for our groundbreaking approach to creating unique, local dining experiences for the modern traveler Our Mission: We approach each local community with the same measured respect and thoughtful process as we do in our own community of the San Francisco Bay Area We seek out the local and authentic spots with cult followings, and we bring them to the airport in the purest form — no dilution, no cut corners, no compromises Where We Are: With 40 locations in seven major international airports across the U S , High Flying Foods is an industry leader Hip & Humble began as a neighborhood boutique in Salt Lake City and has grown into a multi-location, nationally recognized retail brand with a strong airport presence, brick-and-mortar stores, and a thriving e-commerce platform Known for blending boutique curation with operational scalability, the company delivers high-performing, design-forward assortments that resonate with today’s shopper Hip & Humble’s airport stores are built around a proven model: fast turns, distinctive product, strong gifting appeal, and an authentic sense of place Rooted in values, the company partners with women-owned and socially responsible suppliers and engage with community organizations wherever it operates

HMSHost, part of Avolta AG, is a leader in creating dining for travel venues The restaurateur operates more than 1,000 locations in nearly 80 airports across North America, including proprietary concepts, local, regional, and national brands, and partnerships with award-winning chefs For decades, HMSHost has curated food and beverage programs that make a traveler’s journey as exciting as the destination

Hudson, part of Avolta AG, is a travel experience company turning the world of travel into a world of opportunity by being the Traveler’s Best Friend in more than 1,000 stores in airports, commuter hubs, landmarks, and tourist locations across North America Our team members care for travelers as friends at our travel convenience, specialty retail, duty free, and food and beverage destinations At the intersection of travel and retail, we partner with landlords and vendors, and take innovative, commercial approaches to deliver exceptional value

Huy Pham launched Innovative Retail Group in 2014 after a successful career in corporate airport concessions As an ACDBE-certified firm, IRG has several partnerships at Denver International Airport and Minneapolis-St Paul International Airport, where the company owns and operates retail and food and beverage locations

Inspire Brands, Inc. is a multi-brand restaurant company whose portfolio includes more than 33,000 Arby’s, Baskin Robbins, Buffalo Wild Wings, Dunkin’, Jimmy John’s, and SONIC restaurant locations worldwide The company was founded in 2018 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia

54

AX NEWS MARCH 2026