Image of the day: Sealed with a KISS

I Love it Loud: The launch of Rock & Brews was a raucous occasion featuring smashed guitars and menu tastings.
Photo: Ontario International Airport

Our daily feature celebrates memorable scenes, moments, launches and campaigns from the global aviation and travel retail sphere.

There can be few more raucous and rocking ways to celebrate the transformation of an airport’s food & beverage concessions programme.

The sight of Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley – co-founders of legendary rock band KISS – smashing their guitars at a launch event at California’s Ontario International Airport was certainly memorable. The pair were christening Rock & Brews, a restaurant of which they are also co-founders.

Concessionaire Delaware North officially opened seven other F&B units at the launch event, including Einstein Bros bagels, Wahoo’s Fish Taco and Wolfgang Puck’s WPizza. The event marked the culmination of a US$6 million upgrade of Ontario International’s food & beverage concessions.

The new eateries have opened for business on a staggered basis since April. Cross Grain Brewhouse and Harvest & Grounds were the latest additions, in July.

“We know these new dining options will resonate with guests because they offer both a taste of Southern California, and globally recognised brands that travellers love,” said Delaware North President, Travel Kevin Kelly.

Airport operator Ontario International Airport Authority’s agreement with Delaware North is expected to generate net revenue of approximately US$13 million over 10 years.

God Gave Rock ‘N’ Roll To You – but KISS co-founders Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley gave us Rock & Brews.

NOTE: The Moodie Davitt Report also publishes The Foodie Report, the world’s only media focused on airport (and other travel-related) food & beverage. The Foodie Report e-Newsletter is published every two weeks and The Foodie Report e-Zine every month.

Please send all news of food & beverage outlet openings, together with images, menus, video etc to Martin@MoodieDavittReport.com to ensure unrivalled global exposure.

The company also organises the annual Airport Food & Beverage (FAB) Conference & Awards. This year’s FAB took place on 20-21 June in Helsinki.

Food & Beverage The Magazine eZine