CHICAGO – The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) joined Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) Airports and its concession partners for a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday to celebrate the opening of The Dearborn, a beloved downtown Chicago staple, in O’Hare International Airport’s expanded and renovated Terminal 5.

The Dearborn brings elevated yet approachable dining to travelers seeking an authentic Chicago experience, featuring sit-down service and a grab-and-go marketplace with fresh coffee. The original establishment, located in Chicago’s iconic theater district, was opened in 2016 by Irish immigrant sisters Amy and Clodagh Lawless.

“On behalf of Mayor Brandon Johnson and the entire City of Chicago, I am proud to welcome a world-class Chicago eatery like The Dearborn to our world-class airport,” CDA Commissioner Michael J. McMurray said. “Owned and operated by two sisters from Galway with deep roots in Chicago’s hospitality industry, The Dearborn brings more than just great food to O’Hare – it brings the warm, welcoming experience that has made it a beloved institution in the Loop for nearly a decade.”

“Bringing a beloved local brand like The Dearborn to Terminal 5 is a perfect example of our mission in action,” said Brian Petrow, URW’s Vice President ORD and Airport Operations. “Celebrated for capturing the spirit of one of Chicago’s most vibrant neighborhoods with a diverse menu to offer something for every traveler, The Dearborn also exemplifies the kind of inclusive growth we strive for—a local female-owned business in partnership with a local, minority operator. We’re proud to support the CDA’s vision and excited to help shape the next chapter of the terminal’s expansion.”

The restaurant is owned and operated by HOST AIR ORD FB, a joint venture between Chicago native John Wober, President of Airbrands, and HMSHost. Airbrands is a 100% Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) operator.

"HMSHost, URW, the City of Chicago, and the Lawless sisters embody the partnerships that make this airport and city special," said John Wober, President of Airbrands. "Opening The Dearborn at O’Hare is especially meaningful as the son of parents who first touched down here from Argentina."

“Growing The Dearborn into this incredible new location is a dream come true and a defining moment for our journey as restaurateurs,” said Clodagh Lawless, owner of The Dearborn. “Since opening our doors in the Loop, we’ve poured our hearts into creating a space that reflects the soul of Chicago—its people, its flavors, and its hospitality. To now bring that same spirit to the international stage at O’Hare is deeply meaningful. We are proud to share what we’ve built with travelers from all over the world and to continue expanding the reach of our family’s story and Chicago’s dynamic food culture.”

“We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to showcase everything The Dearborn stands for—heartfelt hospitality, delicious food, and a sense of community—right in the heart of one of the world’s busiest airports,” said Amy Lawless, owner of The Dearborn. “As a female-owned, immigrant-founded restaurant, this expansion not only represents growth for our business but also the power of inclusive progress and partnership. We’re honored to represent Chicago in this exciting new chapter at Terminal 5 and are thrilled to work alongside our partners to deliver a warm, welcoming experience to every traveler who walks through our doors.”

The all-day menu brings signature favorites to the terminal, including the fan-favorite Fish & Chips, as seen on Beat Bobby Flay, alongside comfort dishes Midwest Fried Chicken Wings with maple mustard glaze, the DB Smash Burger made with dry-aged CDK Farms beef, and the Buffalo Chicken Sandwich topped with rainbow slaw and a blue cheese-boursin spread. Whether it's a starter such as Japanese Curry Poutine, something lighter like the Dearborn Protein Bowl, or a signature tavern-style pizza, passengers will enjoy the variety in menu offerings.

As The Dearborn takes flight at O’Hare’s Terminal 5, the restaurant also celebrates the promotion of longtime Executive Chef Aaron Cuschieri to Chef Partner. A Detroit native and alum of kitchens like Alinea and Takashi, Cuschieri brings deep culinary expertise, a love of seasonal ingredients, and a genuine passion for hospitality. Now, as Chef Partner, he continues to lead The Dearborn’s evolution with crafting the O’Hare menu with signature favorites alongside new travel-ready options designed for comfort and convenience on the go.

###

About Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield

Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield is an owner, developer and operator of sustainable, high-quality real estate assets in the most dynamic cities in Europe and the United States.

The Group operates 66 shopping centres in 11 countries, including 40 which carry the iconic Westfield brand. These centres attract over 900 million visits annually and provide a unique platform for retailers and brands to connect with consumers. URW also has a portfolio of high-quality offices, 10 convention and exhibition venues in Paris, and a €1.9 Bn development pipeline of mainly mixed-use assets. Its €49 Bn portfolio is 88% in retail, 5% in offices, 6% in convention and exhibition venues, and 2% in services (as at June 30, 2025).

URW is a committed partner to major cities on urban regeneration projects, through both mixed-use development and the retrofitting of buildings to industry-leading sustainability standards. These commitments are enhanced by the Group’s Better Places plan, which strives to make a positive environmental, social and economic impact on the cities and communities where URW operates.

URW’s stapled securities are listed on Euronext Paris (Ticker: URW), with a secondary listing in Australia through Chess Depositary Interests up until the delisting from the ASX which is scheduled to occur on August 27, 2025. The Group benefits from a BBB+ rating from Standard & Poor’s and from a Baa2 rating from Moody’s.

For more information, please visit www.urw.com

About the Chicago Department of Aviation:

The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) owns and operates one of the world's busiest airport systems, comprised of O'Hare and Midway International Airports. Chicago's airports offer service to more than 260 nonstop destinations worldwide, including 76 international destinations, combined. Together, Chicago's airports serve more than 100 million passengers each year and generate approximately $70 billion in annual economic activity for the region while supporting 700,000 jobs throughout nine counties. More than 54,000 employees work directly at O’Hare and Midway.

The CDA is self-supporting, using no local or state tax dollars for operations or capital improvements at either airport. For more information, visit flychicago.com.

About Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield Airports 

A division of Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW), for more than 25 years, URW Airports has leveraged its expertise as a premier retail developer and operator to deliver seamless journeys by creating uplifting retail travel experiences that put people at the heart of everything. Partnering with airports and airlines, across some of the world’s busiest airports, including Los Angeles International (LAX), Chicago O’Hare International (ORD), and JFK, URW Airports has a proven track record of delivering elevated travel experiences that drive commercial revenue above U.S. benchmarks. Learn more at urwairports.com.   

About The Dearborn

Sisters Amy Lawless and Clodagh Lawless combine their 40 years of hospitality experience—both here in Chicago and in their native Ireland—at The Dearborn to create a restaurant that unites their passion for heartfelt service, a welcoming ambiance and classically rooted food that isn’t afraid to take culinary risks. Inspiration for the cuisine starts with traditional American taverns and from there Executive Chef Aaron Cuschieri taps into his passion for seasonal ingredients, farmers markets and contemporary culinary techniques to create dishes that lean towards the Midwest as well as those with a more global influence. That means you’ll always find a chef-inspired burger and fried chicken on the menu as well as creative pasta and seafood dishes. The design of the 8,000-square-foot Loop location also honors those beloved taverns with tufted leather booths, subway tiles, vintage-inspired light fixtures and custom murals depicting Chicago’s past. Floor-to-ceiling windows in the front rooms provide optimal viewing of the bustling Loop neighborhood, The Dearborn calls home at 145 N. Dearborn Street. For more information, visit thedearborntavern.com or follow them @thedearbornchi on Facebook, and Instagram.