REG - SSP Group PLC - Transactions in Canada and the Middle East

SSPAnnouncement

14/12/2023 07:15

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RNS Number : 8114W  SSP Group PLC  14 December 2023

 

LEI: 213800QGNIWTXFMENJ24

 

14 December 2023

 

SSP GROUP PLC

SSP to increase its footprint in North America and Middle East through two new
transactions: the acquisition of ECG in Canada and a major new contract with
Jeddah Airport

 

SSP Group plc (SSP), a leading operator of food and beverage outlets in travel
locations worldwide, today announces two important transactions which will
expand its presence in North America and the Middle East, in line with its
strategic objective to pivot to these higher growth markets.

Firstly, SSP has acquired Calgary-based ECG Ventures Limited (ECG), which sees
it take over the leases of three units at Calgary Airport and an additional
two at Edmonton Airport.  The five new restaurant/bars - The Kitchen by
Wolfgang Puck, Bistro on the Bow, Belgian Beer Café (two units) and The
Canadian Brewhouse - complement SSP's existing business at both airports. This
is the second acquisition that SSP has completed in North America in the past
twelve months, following the acquisition of the Midfield Concession business,
with the final airport transferring in November.

SSP will also be further expanding its presence in Saudi Arabia, having signed
a new contract with Jeddah Airport to operate three food and beverage
packages, representing a total of 26 units, for an initial duration of between
five and seven years.

As part of its offer, SSP will be bringing an exciting mix of international
and local proprietary and franchise brands to Jeddah.  These will include the
Saudi launch of Jamie Oliver Kitchen, Pizza Express and the London-based
gelato specialists Snowflake and Crêpeaffaire. The Jeddah-based Social
Kitchen and Social Bakery will bring a sense of place, along with regional
favourite Cafe Bateel, as well as the bespoke Falafel & Friends. SSP's own
travel brands will include Jaipur (Indian street food), Soul + Grain, Negroni,
Ritazza and Camden food co, among others.

Commenting on the news, Patrick Coveney, Group CEO of SSP, said, "Both the
acquisition of ECG in Canada and the significant contract win at Jeddah are
excellent examples of our business development strategy in action. We are
clear that a combination of investing in organic growth and carrying out
selective infill M&A will create sustainable long-term value and returns,
and North America and the Middle East are important areas of focus for
expansion.  We very much look forward to welcoming the ECG team to SSP and to
delighting passengers at Jeddah with our carefully selected mix of brands and
concepts."

 

ENDS

 

CONTACTS

Investor and analyst enquiries

Sarah John, Corporate Affairs Director, SSP Group plc

Sarah Roff, Group Head of Investor Relations, SSP Group plc

+44 (0) 203 714 5251

E-mail: sarah.john@ssp-intl.com (mailto:sarah.john@ssp-intl.com) /
sarah.roff@ssp-intl.com

 

Media enquiries

Rob Greening / Nick Hayns / Elizabeth Kittle

Powerscourt

+44 (0) 207 250 1446

E-mail: ssp@powerscourt-group.com

 

About SSP

SSP is a leading operator of food and beverage outlets in travel locations
worldwide, with c.42,000 colleagues in over 600 locations across 37
countries.  We operate sit-down and quick service restaurants, cafes, lounges
and food-led convenience stores, principally in airports and train stations,
with a portfolio of more than 550 international, national and local brands.
These include our own brands (such as UrbanCrave, which brought the first
"street eats" concept to airports in the US and Nippon Ramen, a noodle and
dumpling concept in the Asia Pac region) as well as franchise brands (such as
M&S, Starbucks and Burger King).

Our purpose is to be the best part of the journey, and this is underpinned by
our aim to bring leading brands and innovative concepts to our clients and
customers around the world, with an emphasis on great value, taste, quality
and service - using digital technology to boost efficiency.

 

For more information, please visit: www.foodtravelexperts.com
(http://www.foodtravelexperts.com)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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