PHILADELPHIA — May 11, 2023 — The popular hamburger restaurant, Smashburger, was crowned “2023 Merchant of the Year” at MarketPlace PHL’s annual Merchant of the Year Celebration.
Smashburger, operated by New York Ice Cream Inc., received the top honor in recognition of its consistent delivery of high-quality products and services, exceptional performance and various ongoing contributions to PHL. New York Ice Cream Inc. is a minority-owned participant in the Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) program.
Smashburger offers handcrafted burgers, seared and seasoned-to-order, using fresh, never frozen, 100% certified Angus beef®—along with sides, such as Smashfries®, tossed with rosemary, olive oil and garlic. Alternative menu items include grilled chicken sandwiches, fresh salads and more.
Several other PHL establishments were also recognized with awards presented by Clarence LeJeune, Operating Partner of MarketPlace PHL, and Mel Hannah, Vice President and General Manager of MarketPlace PHL.
“Congratulations to Smashburger and to all our merchants and concessionaires for another terrific year,” said Mel Hannah, Vice President and General Manager of MarketPlace PHL.
A select group of PHL Food & Shops locations, managers and staff were celebrated with awards over the course of the evening. A full list of winners from the 2023 Merchant of the Year Celebration appears below:
Outstanding Quick-Service Restaurant of the Year
Aldo Lamberti Trattoria
Outstanding Full-Service Restaurant of the Year
Chickie’s & Pete’s
Outstanding Specialty Retail of the Year
Pandora (operated by Paradies Lagardère)
Sustainability Award
OTG Management
Outstanding Guest Experience
Gachi Sushi & Noodles
Above & Beyond
Chickie’s & Pete’s
Hudson Group
New York Ice Cream Inc.
Paradies Lagardère
Manager of the Year
Hamid Larbi, Paradies Lagardère
MarketPlace PHL Achievement Award
William Gardiner
Merchant of the Year
Smashburger (operated by New York Ice Cream Inc.)
Marketplace PHL has been developing and operating the industry-leading PHL Food & Shops program for a quarter century. An airport-wide 25th anniversary PHL Food & Shops celebration is planned this summer on Friday, June 2, at 11 a.m. in the retail connector between concourses B and C.
For more information, please visit PHLfoodandshops.com.
ABOUT MARKETPLACE PHL, LLC
MarketPlace PHL, LLC, is the private partner with the City of Philadelphia in the management of the food and retail programs throughout Philadelphia International Airport. The award-winning program offers more than 170 shops, restaurants and services. The MarketPlace PHL portfolio features local Philly favorites, as well as regional and national brands. MarketPlace PHL, LLC, is a partnership between MarketPlace Development, a Boston-based airport retail development firm, and LeJeune & Associates, a Philadelphia-based retail development, management and consulting firm. For more information, visit PHLfoodandshops.com.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Griffin Horner
For MarketPlace PHL
484-683-5980
griffin@hornercom.com
