Areas lands at Houston airport to handle $470 million contract
Areas wins a new tender in the United States. The leading en route catering company has been awarded a lucrative contract at William P. Hobby Airport in Houston, Texas. It will operate 10 new catering outlets for an expected turnover of some $470 million over the next 10 years.
Over the course of the concession, the company expects to invest $19 million to completely renovate the dining offer in the east and west zones where the establishments are located.
William P. Hobby is Houston’s oldest commercial airport. It serves nearly 15 million passengers annually between domestic and international flights, and offers direct or non-stop service to nearly 60 destinations throughout the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean, making it one of Southwest Airlines’ largest and busiest hub airports.
Recognition of its transformative offer
The Houston City Council, which manages the airport, has chosen Areas’ offer for its proven ability to implement innovative concepts in the airport’s restaurant offering, which integrates local concepts along with prestigious international proposals.
Thus, the proposal includes the presence of the well-known chef Ronnie Killen, with Killen’s Barbecue. Travellers will also be able to sample Yard House, with a wide selection of beers on tap from around the world. This is in addition to celebrated local concepts such as SpindleTap Brewery, ThroughGood Coffee Bistro & Bar and The Spot, along with renowned international brands such as Starbucks.
In recent years, Areas has exponentially expanded its presence in infrastructures and communication hubs in the different countries in which it operates, including its penetration in US airports.
According to Óscar Vela, Areas’ global CEO, “we continue to grow and diversify our business. Hot on the heels of our victory at Madrid-Barajas Airport in Spain and the acquisition of our competitor Sighor in France’s toll roads, this victory at Houston Airport now consolidates us as a benchmark player in the United States. With this concession, we are now present in 10 North American airports and 3 of the country’s main highways, and our objective is to continue winning more tenders in the world’s largest en route catering market”.
Objective: to double its presence in the United States
Areas has been present in the United States since 2006 and with this award manages more than 130 points of sale in 10 airports and 13 service areas. The company identifies the US market as a strategic country for its future growth and international expansion. “We would like to double in size in the United States in two or three years”, said Vela in a recent interview in La Vanguardia.
Around 80% of the company’s sales come from outside Spain, and the US market currently accounts for almost 15% of Areas’ global turnover, being the third largest market after France and Iberia (Spain and Portugal).
Areas began operating in the United States 15 years ago at Miami airport. It currently operates outlets at William P. Hobby Airport, Los Angeles International, Minneapolis-St. Paul International, Miami International, Chicago O’Hare International, Newark Liberty International, Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International, Orlando International, Detroit Metro Airport and Indianapolis International. The company also manages service areas along the Florida Turnpike, Maryland and West Viriginia.
