JFK Terminal 5 welcomes Shake Shack opening as part of refresh

JFK Terminal 5 is bringing more of New York to the airport with a new Shake Shack. The opening forms part of the $100 million T5 Refresh, which is transforming the terminal’s dining, retail and passenger experience.

Summary:

JFK Terminal 5 has welcomed a new Shake Shack, bringing the iconic New York restaurant brand to JetBlue’s flagship terminal in partnership with SSP America.
The new restaurant forms part of the $100 million T5 Refresh, which will introduce more than 40 new concessions and customer experiences inspired by New York City.
Shake Shack strengthens T5’s sense of place, combining a distinctly New York dining experience with the terminal’s wider focus on hospitality, local identity and passenger experience.

JFK International Airport’s Terminal 5 has expanded its dining offer with the opening of a new Shake Shack in partnership with SSP America. Located in the Center Node, the new Shack brings one of New York City’s most recognisable restaurant brands to the heart of JetBlue’s flagship terminal.

Born from a hot dog cart in Madison Square Park, Shake Shack has grown from a hometown favourite into a global hospitality brand with more than 705 locations system-wide. Its New York roots remain central to the story. The new T5 restaurant gives JetBlue customers and airport employees a genuine taste of the city from a brand that began just miles from the runway.

The opening is part of the $100 million T5 Refresh, a collaboration among JetBlue, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and Fraport USA. Once complete, the programme will introduce more than 40 new concessions and customer experiences, including shops, restaurants, communal spaces, and art installations inspired by New York City and its boroughs. Shake Shack’s arrival in the Center Node adds another iconic hometown brand to a growing collection designed to create a distinct sense of place and make every journey through T5 feel unmistakably New York.

George Mboya, CEO, SSP America: “Shake Shack is New York to its core and bringing it to the heart of JetBlue’s Terminal 5 is exactly what a taste of place should look like. From Madison Square Park to JFK, Shake Shack has become a global success story without losing the quality, hospitality, and sense of community that made New Yorkers fall in love with it. We’re proud to partner with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, JetBlue, Fraport USA, and Shake Shack to deliver an experience that feels unmistakably New York and helps make Terminal 5 the best part of the journey.”

Stephanie Evans Greene, Senior Vice President, Marketing and Brand, JetBlue: “Shake Shack has been one of the most requested concessions for Terminal 5, and we’re thrilled to bring this iconic New York brand to T5. We’re filling the terminal with more of the places that make New York, New York, and it’s hard to imagine a better addition than a hometown favourite that also got its start right here in the city. Now, a great Shake Shack burger can officially be part of the JetBlue travel experience.”

Jose Cuevas, Vice President, Fraport New York: “Fraport New York is proud to welcome Shake Shack to Terminal 5 as we continue the transformation of the T5 concessions programme. This exciting addition brings our customers another iconic New York brand while expanding the variety and quality of the dining experience. We are grateful to SSP America for their partnership and continued investment in T5.”

Julie Zisfein, Vice President of Global Licensing, Shake Shack: “We’re excited to bring Shake Shack to Terminal 5 and join a thoughtfully curated line-up of brands that has helped define the experience for millions of JetBlue travellers. We’ve been incredibly encouraged by the enthusiasm for Shake Shack’s presence in the terminal, and we’re proud to meet guests where they are by becoming part of the experience they know and love at T5.”

SSP America JFK T5, LLC operates the restaurant through a licensed partnership with Shake Shack. The opening reflects the shared commitment of SSP America, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, JetBlue, Fraport USA, and Shake Shack to deliver distinctive dining experiences that combine local identity, operational excellence, and heartfelt hospitality.