LAWA partners with local brands to transform LAX its dining & retail

Los Angeles International Airport is bringing local food culture to Terminal 1 with the arrival of Marathon Burger and Kogi BBQ, as part of a wider programme to create a more authentic sense of place for travellers.

Summary:

Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), ASUR Airports and Concord Collective have brought iconic local brands Marathon Burger and Kogi BBQ to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) Terminal 1 as part of a refreshed dining and retail programme.
The new outlets give travellers access to distinctive Los Angeles food experiences, from Marathon Burger’s Wagyu smash burgers to Kogi BBQ’s Korean-Mexican street food favourites, alongside a Marathon merchandise pop-up store.
The initiative supports LAWA’s ambition to make LAX a stronger reflection of local culture, entrepreneurship and community identity, with further enhancements planned ahead of the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) – a Corporate Partner of the FTE Digital, Innovation & Startup Hub – has announced the arrival of two iconic Los Angeles brands, Marathon Burger and Kogi BBQ to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) Terminal 1.

The openings – in partnership with ASUR Airports and Concord Collective – mark the first phase of a refreshed dining and retail programme that brings the city’s bold flavours, culture and energy directly to travellers.

From local restaurants and retailers to public art and cultural programming, LAWA is focused on making LAX a true reflection of Los Angeles. The addition of Marathon Burger and Kogi BBQ advances that vision by bringing two homegrown brands with deep community roots into Terminal 1.

“We’re on a mission to put the ‘LA’ in LAX, and I can’t think of a better way to start than Marathon Burger and Kogi BBQ,” said John Ackerman, Chief Executive Officer, Los Angeles World Airports. “These brands are about more than great food. Visionary chef Roy Choi’s launch of Kogi helped shape LA’s street food culture, and Marathon carries forward Nipsey Hussle’s legacy of entrepreneurship and community pride. Bringing them to LAX gives travellers a real taste of our city.”

Marathon Burger builds on the legacy of The Marathon Brand, founded by late rapper, entrepreneur and activist Nipsey Hussle – a Native Angeleno – in 2010, and carried forward by his family and team, including his brother, Samiel ‘Blacc Sam’ Asghedom. The flagship restaurant, which opened on Melrose Avenue in 2025, is known for its Marathon Burger – a made-to-order Wagyu smash burger with a special seasoning, house made fresno peppers and secret sauce.

At LAX, Marathon Burger will offer a quick-service experience with burgers, fries, hot wings, cocktails and breakfast. Inspired by the values of ambition, craftsmanship and community that defined Nipsey’s vision, the brand reflects the entrepreneurial spirit of Los Angeles. Travellers can also shop Marathon merchandise at a new pop-up retail store in Terminal 1.

Kogi BBQ brings one of Los Angeles’ most influential culinary success stories to LAX. Co-founded by Chef Roy Choi in 2008 as a single food truck serving Korean short-rib tacos to late-night crowds, Kogi redefined Los Angeles’ rich street food scene and has since become a nationally recognised brand. The Terminal 1 location captures the spirit of the original Kogi truck experience, offering its signature Korean-Mexican favourites designed for travellers on the go, including tacos, burritos and quesadillas, alongside a full bar programme.

Since acquiring the Terminal 1 food court programme in 2021 from an international concessions operator, Concord Collective has focused on bringing authentic Los Angeles brands to travellers, with Marathon Burger and Kogi BBQ emerging as natural partners.

“We want guests to immediately know they’re in Los Angeles,” said Greg Plummer, Managing Partner and CEO, Concord Collective. “These are authentically local brands with deep roots in the community, and that’s exactly the kind of experience we want to create at LAX. This is our moment. This demonstrates what a local operator can accomplish when given the opportunity to think big and deliver something truly distinctive for LAX.”

Maral Matossian, ASUR Airports Vice President, LAX, commented: “With bold flavours, powerful stories, and deep Los Angeles roots, Marathon Burger and Kogi BBQ embody the local authenticity we seek to deliver across our portfolio. Bringing these concepts to LAX not only gives guests an unmistakable taste of Los Angeles, but also showcases the local entrepreneurs, creativity and culture that make this city second to none. In the lead up to the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, we’re prouder than ever to collaborate with Los Angeles World Airports and our concessions partners to deliver new enhancements, experiences, and amenities that put the LA into LAX.”