Shake Shack opens at JFK Terminal 5 amid $100 million refresh

Shake Shack has opened a new location in the Center Node of JFK International Airport’s Terminal 5. The opening is part of the ‘T5 Refresh,’ a $100 million initiative involving JetBlue, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and Fraport USA to upgrade dining, retail, and passenger experiences.

While the expansion aims to provide a local New York dining identity, some travelers have noted additional costs at the location. Customers have reported an ‘EMP BEN.’ line item on receipts, which represents an ‘Employee Benefits and Retention Surcharge.’

According to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, concessionaires are permitted to add a surcharge of up to 3% to help offset rising labor and benefit costs. This fee is applied on top of the pre-tax bill at airport businesses.