The operators behind a new Dunkin’ and Alidoro in John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) Terminal 8 not only grew up in the food business, but some of their first jobs took place at the airport where their father first arrived in the United States.
Brother-sister duo Monisha and Rajiv Singla are the owners of the 100% Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) M&R Concessions, which operate the recently opened Dunkin’ in Terminal 8 and, coming soon, New York favorite Alidoro providing specialty sandwiches to its fans.
As an experienced airport operator, being part of the revamped Terminal 8 concessions program is an exciting moment for M&R. When considering elevating the customer experience, they wanted to deliver brands that are familiar and popular with passengers.
“We sought to bring brands to the airport that we care about but are also recognizable, even iconic, to New Yorkers,” Rajiv said. “We are operators first, so finding a brand that we can successfully translate is also important. We want to be sure we can provide the same customer experience as on the street and are confident we can.”
Dunkin’ and Alidoro are part of the 21 new dining, retail, entertainment, and amenity brands first selected as part of the $125 million commercial redevelopment program at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)’s Terminal 8.
“We are excited to debut new and enhanced offerings at Terminal 8 while we work to transform the terminal through our redevelopment,” said Ian Carter, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) Vice President, JFK. “M&R Concessions truly takes a customer-first approach and are exactly the type of business with whom we seek to partner. We are proud to work with Monisha and Rajiv as, together, we raise the bar at JFK Terminal 8.”
The Singla family’s history with JFK and URW Airports dates back to 1996 when Monisha and Rajiv’s father, Ram Singla, opened his first restaurant in the old Terminal 8.
The family restaurant business originally began in Manhattan, where Monisha learned to work at the cash register at 10 years old with a stool underfoot to help her reach it. It was there that she developed her love for food and people. Rajiv also started as a cashier at 11, but this time, it was in JFK Terminal 8. He enjoyed working in the front of the house, but he always found himself gravitating towards the financial aspects of the business.
Rajiv started his career in asset management and considered joining a hedge fund but pivoted to join his sister in working with their father. One of the deciding factors, according to Rajiv, was that he was looking to have a positive impact in his day-to-day work. Opening restaurants that offer quality options to travelers and revenue for the airport is adding a tangible value that he can be proud of.
A serial entrepreneur, Monisha created a web development consulting company that she ran for 10 years before returning to the restaurant business and opening a coffee shop. Monisha started M&R Concessions in 2013, and her brother joined as CFO and partner in 2015.
One of the first steps they took upon forming their own company was to become ACDBE certified. Rajiv said that minority business owners know the value of certification when doing business at the airport.
“Being ACDBE certified is something that is very important to us and has helped our family,” he said. “My father was an immigrant without a high school degree and being ACDBE certified helped open doors.”
Their knowledge of customer needs runs deep as they assisted with the overall food program in the old Terminal 1 building, where it went from the worst performing to the best performing for food & beverage sales per passenger.
M&R Concessions is looking forward to participating in the transformation of JFK and strategically expanding at JFK and along the East Coast.
