FOOD & BEVERAGE Destination-based gastronomy ups its game


Travelling consumers do not want to compromise on quality or lifestyle choices when it comes to food & beverage at airports. Jessica Mason reports on the evolving marketplace.


“H


aving access to world-class


food and drink options is


important to travellers in all areas of an airport,” declares HMSHost Vice President of Business Development Stephen Douglas in conversation with TRBusiness. Indeed, there has been no let up


in recent contract gains for the US food service firm’s parent company Autogrill, which enjoyed wins and renewals worth €9.8bn ($12.1bn) in 2017. In February, the company revealed it was expanding in Spain by entering Barcelona-El Prat and Gran Canaria airports through subsidiary Autogrill Europe. The eight, eight- year contracts won under tenders called by Spanish airports operator AENA begin this year and are expected to generate new sales in excess of €250m ($307m) over the period. TRBusiness is reminded that


Barcelona-El Prat is Spain’s second largest airport and one of the world’s top 40, shifting over 47m passengers in 2017. Thanks to growing tourist flows and the introduction of new routes, growth clocked in at more than +7% on its 2016 results. This is not the only Spanish airport seeing the benefit of an increase in passenger traffic. Gran Canaria Airport is also one of Spain’s biggest international tourism hubs. In 2017, it moved over 13m passengers, up more than +8% on the previous year. At Gran Canaria, Autogrill is set to open a Leon restaurant, a Cafè de Indias as well as a Playa Padre. For HMSHost, the Americas are


also offering up partnerships and joint ventures across airport retail. In Arizona, HMSHost is playing an integral part in the modernisation programme at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. “HMSHost, in partnership with


KIND Hospitality Inc. and Emerging Domestic Market Ventures LLC was awarded a 12-year contract valued at approximately $264m to bring


APRIL 2018


A Starbucks outlet at Sacramento International Airport.


an outstanding line-up of new food and beverage locations to the airport’s modernised Terminal 3,” explains Douglas. “The Phoenix City Council approved the contract on 21 February.” In the same month in Seattle,


HMSHost and joint-venture partner Heigh Connects LLC was awarded a 10-year contract to operate two new Urban Markets outlets and two Starbucks stores at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.


Conversation starters While contracts are clearly important, part of the challenge for the F&B sector also rests in creating a travel retail environment that becomes a destination in its own right. Perry Cooper, Senior Manager, Media Relations at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport points out that this has already been achieved. “Sea-Tac Airport is already a


culinary destination for our travellers. We often hear from our tenants that people plan their trips around coming to their locations. Some even plan on connecting flights through Sea-Tac so they can take advantage of their foods or products.


There has been no let up in contract gains for HMSHost’s parent company Autogrill S.p.A, which enjoyed wins and renewals worth €9.8bn ($12.1bn) in 2017.


TRBusiness “The Central Terminal Renovation


Project will change the area as we will expand vertically by adding 10,000 sq ft of dining space. Due to our limited footprint for this airport, this proved to be the best option. At the end we will have a new restaurant on the upper level of the south side of the central terminal and a second storey to the restaurant on the north side of the central terminal.


Autogrill extended its agreement with ‘naturally fast food’ brand Leon in February.


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