Morristown, NJ-Based Global Multi-Brand Restaurant Operator and Franchisor Begins Operating Part of Its Food Hall in the Newly Redeveloped Terminal B of LaGuardia Airport

MORRISTOWN, NJ (July 2020) Morristown-based Villa Restaurant Group (VRG), a global multi-brand restaurant operator and franchisor, has announced the opening of the Food Hall offering quick-service dining options at LaGuardia Airport Terminal B.

Located post-security at the all new Terminal B Arrivals and Departures Hall, Villa Restaurant Group has won the rights to a well-earned long-term contract to serve the travelers with a modern food hall that houses fresh, hot local concepts. The Food Hall includes Villa Restaurant Group’s proprietary quick-service brands Tony + Benny’s Pizza Parlor and Green Leaf’s, and local partnership concepts including Dos Toros Taqueria, Junior’s Restaurant and Cheesecake, Hill Country, and Zaro’s Family Bakery. Villa Restaurant Group and LaGuardia Gateway Partners, the private developer and operator of Terminal B, have worked together to generate a phased opening schedule that will best accommodate an exceptional variety of dining options for travelers.

The Food Hall is part of the innovative design of the Terminal B Arrivals and Departures Hall created to connect to two island concourses allowing access to the Terminal B gates through pedestrian bridges. Along with the collaborative efforts of Holt Construction, Villa Restaurant Group has built a prime space to provide best-in-class service to passengers traveling on Air Canada, American Airlines, Southwest, and United Airlines flights. “We are extremely excited and proud to be part of the New Terminal B Arrivals and Departures Hall at LaGuardia Airport. The new airport surpasses every design and traveler expectation imaginable,” said Anthony Scotto, Chief Executive Officer of Villa Restaurant Group. “Part of this new experience will be VRG’s curated collection of restaurants located at center court. We look forward to putting many smiles on our guests’ faces for many years to come.”

After an extensive Competitive Solicitation Process (CSP), Villa Restaurant Group was awarded the opportunity to create a new and impressive representation of New York culture and pride. VRG was selected by LaGuardia Gateway Partners for its ability to deliver new and innovative restaurant brands that reflect the best in local NYC dining options transformed into a contemporary food hall experience. “VRG is very excited to be a big part of the new Terminal B Arrivals and Departures Hall. We have built state-of-the-art facilities and are bringing in some iconic New York brands amongst our own,” said Biagio Scotto, President of Villa Restaurant Group. “We look forward to a successful venture bringing our excellent culinary experience and top-notch customer service to the LaGuardia travelers!”

Villa Restaurant Group presented seven concepts that offered a wide selection of food options and price points to meet the needs of the modern-day travelers that are expected to pass through the newly redeveloped Terminal B. “Our concept for the new Terminal B at LaGuardia Airport was to create a gateway that offers a best-in-class guest experience, and our partnership with Villa Restaurant Group is critical to this vision,” said Stewart Steeves, Chief Executive Officer of LaGuardia Gateway Partners. “The inviting food hall options that Villa has to offer will allow guests to sample a variety of cuisines that also provide them with a taste of the spirit and culture of New York City.” The win has added another checkmark to VRG’s development and growth efforts to expand further as an airport concessionaire and build strong, long-term partnerships with exceptional brands. Their airport presence extends to locations at Newark International Airport, Orlando International Airport, Philadelphia International Airport, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, George Bush Intercontinental Houston Airport, and Denver International Airport, and more.

What began with a single pizzeria in New York City 56 years ago, Villa Restaurant Group has since grown to a portfolio of almost twenty unique and proprietary quick-service and full-service brands with locations across the United States and six countries. Over the past several years, VRG has focused on multi-unit opportunities, airport development and master-leased food courts, the creation of new restaurant concepts, and strategic partnerships to help fuel its impressive growth.

Tony + Benny’s Pizza Parlor

As Villa Restaurant Group’s newest proprietary brand, this fun, new, quick-service concept will offer travelers delicious menu items inspired by old-word recipes, including classic, Sicilian, grandma and margarita pizzas, pastas, calzones and fried street eats, all made from fresh, high-quality ingredients. Featuring décor inspired by the bold graffiti art that is an iconic part of Brooklyn’s culture, Tony + Benny’s will also serve hot breakfast items for travelers on-the-go.

Green Leaf’s

One of Villa Restaurant Group’s first proprietary brands, the vision behind Green Leaf’s was to serve chef inspired salads, wraps, grain bowls, smoothies and fresh juices, using only the highest quality ingredients. They are proud to call it
“the feel good, taste good, be good choice”, an interactive concept centered around healthy and fresh items.

Dos Toros Taqueria

Two brothers who traveled from coast to coast, Oliver and Leo Kremer, had a vision to fill a void and create a connection with their Northern Cali tastes in the New York City area. New York City’s original mission-style taqueria, will offer travelers a selection of burritos, tacos, bowls and salads made from scratch, using only fresh ingredients and naturally raised meats.

Junior’s Restaurant and Cheesecake

Originally opened in the heart of Brooklyn in 1950, over 65 years and three generations later, Junior’s continues to be the epitome of New York comfort food. Junior’s menu includes sliced deli sandwiches, hot Reubens, juicy burgers, fresh cut fries, hearty breakfasts, and of course the best cheesecake in the world!

Hill Country

Founded by Marc Glosserman, Hill Country specializes in Central Texas-style barbecue -dry-rubbed and smoked low and slow with real Texas Post Oak. In 2007, in the heart of the “Flatiron District”, Hill Country debuted on the New York restaurant scene which The New York Times calls “A state-of-the-art Manhattan homage to the preindustrial craft of Texas barbecue.” with three smokers, two bars, 250 seats, and a stage built for playing Texas-style music. They serve a selection of barbecue including chopped brisket and pulled pork, as well as mouthwatering fried chicken and Texas sized tenders with an array of classic sides.

Zaro’s Family Bakery

A fourth-generation bakery, handmade in the Bronx from our family to yours since 1927, Zaro’s has expanded throughout the New York Metropolitan area becoming a household name in one of the busiest commuter hubs in the world. Travelers will have an exquisite selection of quality baked goods such as bagels and pastries, deli sandwiches, and Zaro’s very own house blend coffee.

About Villa Restaurant Group

Villa Restaurant Group® is a global multi-brand restaurant operator and franchisor. Founded in 1964 by Michele (Michael) Scotto, a Naples, Italy native, Villa Restaurant Group, began as a small pizzeria next to the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City. Today, Villa Restaurant Group is an international organization with nearly 300 restaurants in malls, airports, casinos and other high-traffic locations.

Villa Restaurant Group’s quick-service restaurant brands, including Villa Italian Kitchen®, Green Leaf’s Beyond Great Salads®, Bananas Smoothies & Frozen Yogurt®, South Philly Cheesesteaks & Fries®, Far East Asian Fire®, and other emerging brands, can be found throughout the United States and internationally. Villa also operates full-service restaurants in New Jersey under the 40North Restaurant Group® brand including The Office Tavern Grill ®, The Black Horse Tavern & Pub®, Town Bar + Kitchen, Piattino, A Neighborhood Bistro®, and Steelworks Buffet & Grill® in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

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