Airport concessionaires are racing to sign Chicago restaurant groups to exclusive licensing agreements, betting local food talent will help them win at least part of the lucrative food-and-beverage business in O'Hare International Airport's domestic terminals.
“It is a fierce competition,” said Xavier Rabell, CEO of Miami-based Areas USA, a company that's part of the venture that operates dining options in O'Hare's international terminal and is interested in the domestic side.