USA. Travel hospitality company Areas has won a tender to operate ten new food & beverage venues at Houston William P. Hobby Airport. The estimated turnover of the concessions, awarded by operator City of Houston, is US$470 million across the ten-year contract duration.
Areas said it foresees an investment in the region of US$19 million, as it seeks to revitalise the dining offer in the east and west areas of the airport.
Houston’s oldest commercial port, William P. Hobby serves nearly 15 million passengers annually between domestic and international flights. It offers direct or nonstop servicea to nearly 60 destinations throughout the US, Latin America and the Caribbean, making it one of Southwest Airlines’ busiest hub airports.
Areas claims it won the tender thanks to its “proven ability to implement innovative concepts”, which will combine locally-inspired F&B concepts with internationally-known brand venues.
Some of the brands being introduced include Throughgood Coffee Bistro & Bar, Starbucks, Yard House, SpindleTap Brewery, Killen’s Barbecue and The Spot.
Areas has been present in the US since 2006 and currently manages more than 130 points of sale in ten airports and 13 motorway service areas.
In addition to William P. Hobby, it currently operates establishments at Los Angeles International, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Miami, Chicago O’Hare, Newark Liberty, Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson, Orlando, Detroit Metro and Indianapolis international airports.
The company also manages service areas along highways on the Florida Turnpike, Maryland and West Viriginia.
Areas said it sees the US as key strategic market for future growth and international expansion. Around 80% of the company’s sales now come from outside its home country of Spain, and the US market currently represents almost 15% of Areas’ global turnover. This makes it the third most valuable market to the company after France and Iberia (Spain and Portugal).
Areas Global CEO Óscar Vela said: “We continue to grow and diversify our business. Just after the victory at Madrid-Barajas Airport in Spain, and the acquisition of our competitor Sighor on French motorways, this award in Houston now consolidates us as a referent player in the United States.
“With this concession, we are now present in ten North American airports and three of the main highways in the country, and our goal is to continue winning more tenders in the largest road catering market in the world.” 
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