July 2024
Elevate PHX – La Madeleine
La Madeleine in Terminal 4 has a lengthy history at Phoenix Sky Harbor even though the restaurant itself has only been in operation since 2005. Its parent company, Grand Isle Yogurt, Inc. has had a foot in the door since Terminal 4 opened in 1990.
Kristine K. Anderson, the Vice President of Business Administration for Grand Isle Yogurt, remembers when her company opened their ice cream and bagel shops at PHX.
“It was quite a year in 2005 for Terminal 4 and they did the first renovation,” she said. “We had Cold Stone and Einstein’s, then there was another remodel and they opened the food court.”
“The Anderson family has been a part of the airport for years. Some of our franchises were the first ones at any airport—TCBY, Cold Stone, La Madeleine,” she said.
For all the interesting transitions that she and her company have seen as a food vendor at Terminal 4, the biggest thing has been adjusting to customer and traveler needs, which is basic: a hot, good meal in a comfortable setting.
That mission has stayed the same because the owners have been consistent.
“In 34 years, this has been a family-owned affair,” said Rick Anderson, Chief Executive Operating Officer. Grandsons, parents and more have worked together in the business, some for more than 20 years.
“They treat it like they own it, and they make it a fun work environment,” he said.
They’ve noticed that the close ties they maintain with each other and their employees manifests itself in repeat business with frequent flyers. This in turn becomes a solid rapport with them.
“The customers we have are many return customers,” Rick said. “People want to know the people they do business with, they really do.”
Entrepreneurs interested learning more about contracting with one of the Phoenix Airport System properties can start by checking out Doing Business with PHX, DVT, and GYR.