HMSHost partners Steigenberger at Frankfurt

Print Article E-Mail Article

HMSHost partners Steigenberger at Frankfurt

The travel caterer and retailer's European division has acquired 49.99% of the Frankfurt airport caterer

HMSHost Europe has formed a partnership with Steigenberger Gastronomie, the airport food and beverage concessionaire of Steigenberger Hotels. Steigenberger Gastronomie operates 19 food and beverage units at Frankfurt airport and sales reached Eu9.4m ($12.2m) in 2004.

Autogrill subsidiary HMSHost Europe will purchase almost 50% of Steigenberger's airport business with an option to buy the remaining interests. The companies will make mutual decisions on strategic matters during the joint ownership period, with HMSHost Europe assuming control of the business's operational management when the remaining shares are bought.

Hanns-Georg Scheibe from Steigenberger and Walter Seib from HMSHost Europe have been appointed as co-managing directors of the joint venture.

Steigenberger CEO Karl Anton Schattmaier and HMSHost executive vice-president Elie Maalouf said in a joint statement: "We look forward to working closely together to deliver world-class dining experiences to Frankfurt travellers. Steigenberger's local knowledge and HMSHost Europe's global experience and dynamic brand portfolio will be a winning combination. Together we can deliver a fun, unique blend of local flavour and proven international concepts that Frankfurt travellers are sure to enjoy."

HMSHost Europe has key concessions at Amsterdam Schiphol, Zürich, Marseille and Athens airports.