Jan 23, 2026

HMSHost Enters Partnership with Eataly to Bring Authentic Italian Cuisine to North America’s Airports

The travel restaurateur has unveiled the first Eataly in a North American airport, in JFK’s Terminal 8 — the first of three that will open at the international airport in the coming months under HMSHost’s new brand partnership

BETHESDA, Maryland (Jan. 23, 2026) – Yesterday global restaurateur HMSHost, part of Avolta AG (SIX: AVOL) and a world leader in creating dining for travel venues, celebrated the debut of its first Eataly in John F. Kennedy International Airport’s (JFK) Terminal 8, part of a new partnership agreement to bring the renowned Italian marketplace and retail concept to airports across North America. The new 5,526-square-foot full-service restaurant, 1,353-square-foot wine bar, and retail shop is the first Eataly in an airport in the region and will soon be followed by locations in JFK Terminals 4 and 5.

“The opening of Eataly marks several significant milestones and the beginning of an exciting partnership between HMSHost and Eataly,” said Steve Johnson, President and CEO, North America, Avolta. “Eataly is a globally recognized and beloved brand with deep roots in New York, and we’re proud to bring its world-class Italian cuisine to travelers looking for a superior dining experience. This collaboration underscores our commitment to reimagining the airport journey — making it as memorable and rewarding as the destination itself.”

With more than 60 locations worldwide, including 20 across North America, Eataly brings a taste of the Italian lifestyle to JFK. The new Terminal 8 experience offers travelers a wide range of iconic Italian dishes — from traditional pizza and artisanal pasta to regional specialties. The restaurant seats over 130 guests and includes a dedicated wine bar seating 45 guests, with a variety of Italian wines from the North to South of Italy and a café offering Grab & Go options, coffee, soft drinks, and curated retail items.

“Eataly’s mission is to champion Italian food and wine culture across the globe, transporting our guests to Italy through each of our touchpoints, whether they dine in one of our flagship stores or in new outlets such as the airports,” said Andrea Cipolloni, Group CEO of Eataly. “Our partnership with HMSHost marks a monumental step for our brand in North America as we expand into major transportation hubs, allowing us to connect with our audience during their travel journey.”

“Beloved by New Yorkers and world-renowned, the opening of Eataly at Terminal 8 advances the Port Authority’s goal of creating a world class passenger experience and a unique sense of place at a new JFK International Airport,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. “We are thrilled that Eataly has chosen JFK for its North American airport debut as we work with our private partners, including American Airlines, HMS Host and ASUR Airports, at Terminal 8 to make our terminals an enjoyable part of the passenger journey.”

“From the outset, our goal was to fundamentally elevate what airport dining could be,” said Ian Carter, vice president, JFK at ASUR Airports. “We were intentional about bringing a brand like Eataly into the airport conversation — one that resonates deeply with New Yorkers while carrying global recognition. Working closely with our partners, we helped shape an airport-ready expression of Eataly that delivers authenticity, quality, and a true sense of place. Opening the first Eataly in a North American airport is a milestone, and it reflects the broader vision we have for transforming the passenger experience at JFK.”

At the T8 Eataly, HMSHost has designed a seamless dining experience through in-store technology, including state-of-the-art self-order kiosks, an intuitive QR code order-and-pay system, and streamlined self-checkout solutions that work together to deliver a fully digital, frictionless guest experience, enhancing convenience, speed, and satisfaction at every touchpoint. Travelers are also able to enjoy all the benefits of the Club Avolta loyalty program, gaining access to exclusive offers, rewards, and cross-promotions.

Senior leadership and team members from HMSHost, Eataly, local equity partners, ASUR Airports, The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ), and American Airlines celebrated the opening with a ribbon cutting and special reception. The event also featured Eataly’s best-selling menu items, live music, and the ceremonial cracking of a Parmigiano Reggiano DOP wheel.

Eataly at JFK T8 is part of a $125-million commercial redevelopment of the terminal in partnership with terminal commercial operator ASUR Airports and American Airlines. More than 60 new concessions will be featured at Terminal 8 when the commercial program is completed in 2026. The commercial redevelopment follows a $400 million expansion and modernization of the terminal, completed in 2022 and led by American Airlines, as part of the Port Authority’s $19 billion transformation of JFK.