By JAMES FINK
jfink@bizjournals.com | 716-541-1611

Delaware North has officially increased its presence at Los Angeles International Airport.

The Buffalo-based company, through its Delaware North Cos. Travel Hospitality affiliate, was awarded a contract by the Los Angeles City Council to bring new restaurants to LAX's Terminal 5 and Terminal 7 buildings. Delaware North received the long-term contract in partnership with Marbella Food Services.

"Bringing innovative concepts to travelers is what we do," said Bob Stanton, vice president of business development at Delaware North's Travel Hospitality Services.

Scheduled to open are Skewers, a restaurant concept designed by Food Network "Iron Chef" Masaharu Morimoto, to Terminal 5; and Wolfgang Puck's "Express" to Terminal 7.

Both are due to open by mid- to late 2011, Stanton said, adding, "We're thrilled to move forward with these two concepts at LAX."

Travel Hospitality Services recently opened Pink's Hot Dogs at LAX and the Daily Grill Restaurant in the airport's Tom Bradley International Terminal, as well as the Encounter Restaurant & Bar in the LAX Theme Building.

Delaware North is expected to bid on several other food and beverage contracts at the airport.

The company operates more than 300 restaurants and retail outlets in more than 25 airports worldwide, including Buffalo Niagara International Airport. The airport arm of the company serves more than 350 million customers annually.