Middle Child joins PHL Food & Shops with third location

PHILADELPHIA – Philadelphia International Airport will soon become home to the “Ultimate Breakfast Spot” in the country, as crowned by “Good Morning America.” In partnership with foodservice management company Jackmont Hospitality and ACDBE partner Brenda Branch, Managing Member at High Places Concessions, the beloved local favorite, Middle Child, will bring its scrumptious brunch and innovative all-day sammies to Terminal D in early fall 2025.

Middle Child bills itself as “an everyday neighborhood joint inspired by the delis and diners of old-school Philly, good for taking out or hanging out.”

Middle Child’s reimagined sandwich counter concept launched on South 11th Street in Center City in 2017. Its early menu took sandwiches seriously, but itself, not so much, allowing good humor, culinary creativity and exceptional food to define the Middle Child brand. Its green smiley face logo translated to smiling customers — and soon to expansion.

Fast forward to Fishtown in 2021 and the Front Street debut of Middle Child Clubhouse, where defining Middle Child ideas had space to grow. A larger restaurant and bar with seating for over 120 allowed the inspired menu to bump up and out, with a welcoming atmosphere both clubby and kitschy — from Princess Diana’s Eagles jacket portrait to an upsized wall-mount pickle sculpture and billiards table.

Such innovation extended to Middle Child’s workplace, with a transparent and equitable compensation model for front and back-of-house team members. Recruiting and retaining top culinary and serving talent remains a key part of Middle Child’s recipe for success.

Middle Child, rendering.

Reinventing What Goes Between Bread

All the while, creativity keeps coming out of the Middle Child kitchen: the “Shopsin Club” with cranberry miso mayo, the “Surfer” with blueberry chutney, the “So Long Sal!” with artichoke relish, “Badger Beet” salad, uniquely crafted cocktails and much more. Other standouts include the “Baller Classic,” with its arugula and delicate house turkey drizzled with Duke’s Mayo and the “Phoagie,” a vegan option featuring hoisin eggplant (contains gluten), avocado, fresh and frizzled onions, cilantro and pho sauce on a seeded hoagie roll.

Nearly all of Middle Child’s ingredients, from meats and condiments to jams and pickles, are made in-house. What they don’t make, they buy locally when possible, like rolls from Merzbacher’s Bakery.

Coming soon, Middle Child in PHL’s Terminal D will feature proven crowd-pleasers from both its Center City and Fishtown menus, along with debut entrees found only at the airport. The PHL location will capture the eclectic atmosphere of other Middle Child spots, offering an expanded sandwich counter, cozy bar and seating for approximately 50 guests.

Additionally, the luxe Chase Sapphire Lounge at PHL, which just opened in February, is already serving select menu items from Middle Child.

Founded by a Philly Guy

Middle Child’s upcoming PHL location is part of “Founded in Philly,” an ongoing MarketPlace PHL initiative celebrating Philly-born-and-raised restaurants and brands that highlight the city’s rich culinary legacy.

“This is an exciting time to be part of the growing Middle Child family,” said founder and Cherry Hill native Matthew Cahn. “We’re very proud of our talented team members for the great work they do every day and grateful to our Philadelphia customers for their continued support. Philly has been the source of our inspiration since day one.”

Thanks to frequent visits to the legendary original Little Pete’s diner in Center City – now closed, though a location remains open in Fairmount – Cahn developed an appreciation for community-centered local spots from a young age. Cahn even considered buying Little Pete’s griddle, but it was too big to fit in his truck. He still keeps a framed piece of the Little Pete’s memorably patterned flooring on display.

Middle Child joins a growing list of Founded in Philly businesses coming soon to PHL, among them Federal Donuts & Chicken and Oyster House (both opening later in 2025); and the already open Sabrina’s Cafe, Chickie’s & Pete’s and Elixr – whose coffee Middle Child also serves.

The restaurant arrives in partnership with award-winning operator Jackmont Hospitality and ACDBE partner Brenda Branch. Led by President Daniel Halpern, Jackmont Hospitality has a proven track record of managing high-profile, high-traffic restaurants in airports and metro areas across the U.S., with multiple concepts already thriving at PHL.

“Middle Child serves the distinctive tastes of one of the city’s beloved dining hot spots. We can’t wait for guests from all over the world to try Middle Child’s well-known sandwiches and are especially excited for the items that will only be available on its PHL menu,” said Kate Sullivan, Chief Commercial Officer for the Department of Aviation. “As we prepare to welcome more guests in 2026, one of our goals is to continue bringing the best of Philadelphia’s culinary, cultural, and retail experiences to the airport and now with this addition, the airport will have more than 20 with a glimpse into Philly’s unique neighborhood food scene.”

“We are beyond excited to bring the Middle Child experience to Philadelphia International Airport,” said Mel Hannah, Vice President and General Manager of MarketPlace PHL. “Middle Child is a true reflection of Philadelphia’s culinary spirit — honoring tradition while embracing innovation.”

The article Middle Child joins PHL Food & Shops with third location first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.