Villa Restaurant Group, a global multibrand restaurant operator and franchisor, announced Tuesday its plans to bring three new quick-service dining options to the pre-security area of Terminal B at Newark Liberty International Airport this year.
“We are proud to have been selected by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield Airports to bring fresh, new and innovative dining options to Newark Liberty International Airport, right here in our home state of New Jersey,” Christopher McNamee, senior manager of business development for Villa Restaurant Group, said. “As industry veterans, we have the experience and systemwide flexibility to scale our own concepts accordingly and to work with partner brands to deliver the quality and variety that can exceed the passengers’ and the developer’s needs.”
The restaurants will include Villa Restaurant Group’s proprietary quick-service brand, Tony + Benny’s Pizza Parlor, as well as partnership concepts with Salsarita’s Fresh Mexican Grill and Carlo’s Bakery, founded by Buddy Valastro Jr., chef and television personality from TLC’s “Cake Boss.”
Villa Restaurant Group also will debut one of its full-service 40NORTH Restaurants concepts, Piattino: A Neighborhood Bistro, at the airport this year.
“These new openings will give us a great opportunity to expand the footprint and exposure of some of our fastest growing concepts, further our relationship with a great strategic partner and to debut the first-ever airport location of a world-class brand right here in our own backyard,” McNamee said.
Villa Restaurant Group is prepared to offer a wide variety of food options and price points to the more than 7 million passengers who pass through the terminal each year, he added, just as it does at other airports, including LaGuardia International Airport, Orlando International Airport, Philadelphia International Airport, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport and more.
What began as a single pizzeria in New York City in 1964 run by Michele Scotto, a Naples, Italy native, has grown to more than 350 restaurant locations across the globe, in more than 41 states and six countries.
Now a family-run business, Villa Restaurant Group runs more than a dozen brands, including quick-service restaurant brands such as Villa Italian Kitchen, Green Leaf’s Beyond Great Salads, Bananas Smoothies & Frozen Yogurt and South Philly Cheesesteaks & Fries, as well as 40NORTH Restaurant Group concepts such as The Black Horse Tavern & Pub in Mendham, The Office Tavern Grill in Morristown, Summit and Ridgewood (and The Office Beer Bar and Grill in Montclair), George & Martha’s in Morristown, Piattino in Mendham and Summit, Café Villa in Chatham, Town Bar and Kitchen in Morristown, and Steelworks in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
