Nathan's Famous airport concessions (1990s–present)
Nathan's Famous, the Coney Island hot dog brand, licensed its name to concession operators who run Nathan's stands at airports and travel plazas nationwide. The Brooklyn company doesn't staff those counters.
Travelers found a familiar brand at terminals from New York to California.
The licensing model let Nathan's grow without owning restaurants, while contractors handled hiring, food, and logistics.
Same mechanism as Aramark running Sal's: the brand reads as local and iconic, but a national contractor operates the store.
