JFKIAT – the operator of Terminal 4 at John F. Kennedy International Airport – partnered with Local, Queens-based Business Enterprise (LBE) Fratellini Restaurant Group, Inc. to open its proprietary brand, The BrooklynCounter, at T4, offering a dining experience that brings the sights, sounds, and tastes of a New York City food cart right into T4. The opening of The Brooklyn Counter comes amidst T4’s second phase of its redevelopment – transforming the passenger experienceand perfecting the art of travel – and joins a diverse lineup of announced food & beverage spaces at the terminal, including Eataly, Chopt, Boqueria, Villa Russo, and more.
Designed as a food truck concept, this opening launches Terminal 4’s incubator program. With this program, and in partnership with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, JFKIAT has financed the capital investment for the development of the concept, providing Fratellini the opportunity to operate Bagels on the Bay and Vinny’s Panini NYC for the first time as an airport concession. Within this format, Fratellini, in partnership with JFKIAT and the Port Authority, will select additional local businesses and brands to open within The Brooklyn Counter, offering mentorship and guidance to those local businesses, with the skills necessary to successfully operate an airport concession. Additional retail opportunities will be created by JFKIAT and the Port Authority in the future as part of T4’s commercial development.
It is a dream to operate at a globally recognized terminal, one that shares our commitment to investing in the community and delivering innovative and high-quality products to customers
Vilson (Vinny) Dautaj
“The opening of The Brooklyn Counter and our partnership with Fratellini represents our commitment to bring an authentic New York City experience into T4, while supporting small businesses and investing in local economic growth as the transformation of T4 comes to life,” said Roel Huinink, Chief Executive Officer of JFKIAT. “Vinny and his entire team are experts in customer service, already operating a successful business in Queens’ Astoria neighborhood and at the TWA Hotel at JFK. Fratellini Restaurant Group’s core values align firmly with ours at JFKIAT and T4 – one rooted in community and service excellence. It’s been an honor to work with them, and we look forward to seeing our passengers enjoy The Brooklyn Counter.”
“The Brooklyn Counter is a prime example of how JFK Airport reflects the best of New York – its culture, its community, and its culinary creativity,” said Teresa Rizzuto, General Manager of John F. Kennedy International Airport. “We’re proud to support JFKIAT and the Fratellini Restaurant Group in bringing this dynamic concept to life at Terminal 4. It not only delivers an authentic and memorable food experience for travelers, but also creates real opportunities for local businesses and residents. This is what the future of airports should look like – inclusive, innovative, and unmistakably New York.”
Adding to the authentic New York City experience it offers, The Brooklyn Counter showcases a vibrant mural by Queens-based illustrator and comic artist Cyan Daly. Renowned for her bright, bold, and colorful style, Daly blends personal experience with a playful, spirited vision of reality. The mural celebrates everyday joy and community, with a nod to Brooklyn’s iconic stoop culture, while the back wall extends the scene from a low angle, inviting passersby to “look up” and engage with its larger-than-life depiction of the city’s energy and character.
The Brooklyn Counter concept allows customers to order and pay from any of the five counters, and presents them with a mix of breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack offerings – from bagels and omelets to panini, wraps, coffee, and beyond. Fratellini Restaurant Group, which operates Bagels on the Bay and Vinny’s Panini NYC, is committed to supporting the community and operating with sustainability in mind. Its latest concessionaire utilizes biodegradable plates, cups, and cutlery, and invests in sourcing most of its produce locally. The hospitality company will also work with the Council for Airport Opportunity to hire locally in the future to provide economic opportunities for nearby residents within the Queens community.
“It is a dream to operate at a globally recognized terminal, one that shares our commitment to investing in the community and delivering innovative and high-quality products to customers,” said Vilson (Vinny) Dautaj, President/Owner at Fratellini Restaurant Group, Inc. “JFK T4 has always been a leader in the aviation industry, ahead of other players in innovation, customer experiences, and operations, so they were the perfect fit for our introduction into the space. We are thrilled to be sharing our love of authentic and delicious food with the passengers traveling through T4, making their travel journeys a little brighter.”
Fratellini Restaurant Group, Inc. is a family-owned hospitality group proudly based in Queens, New York and built on decades of experience and a deep love for food, service, and community. The business was founded by brothers Vilson (Vinny) Dautaj, Ermal Dautaj and Mirian Dautaj, and began in 2019 with the opening of Vinny’s Panini NYC at JFK Airport’s TWA Hotel Food Hall, bringing a fresh take on Italian-American ‘Grab n’ Go’ with bold flavors and fast, friendly service. The Dautaj brothers soon expanded with Drinkology NYC, a cocktail bar in Astoria known for imaginative mixology and laid-back charm, before bringing The Brooklyn Counter to JFK T4. Fratellini Restaurant Group is committed to creating welcoming spaces where quality and care come first and was founded on the following core values: hospitality with heart, inclusion in action, rooted in community, and simplicity done exceptionally. Today, Fratellini Restaurant Group continues to grow, guided by the team’s passion for hospitality, dedication to craft, and the belief that every guest deserves to feel like family.
The Brooklyn Counter is the latest food & beverage concept to open as part of JFKIAT’s transformation of T4. As the operator of one of the most active air terminals across New York, JFKIAT recently established its T4 North Star initiative with its business and airline partners. The program aims to further elevate the human experience at T4, including redefining its commercial offerings, and operates with five key pillars at play: employee experience, airline experience, commercial experience, passenger experience, and terminal ambiance. The many components of this strategic initiative will evolve every aspect of T4 to stand as a truly world-class air terminal with an enhanced hospitality culture, achieving the Port Authority’s larger vision for JFK Airport.
