Autogrill does not rule out buying Elior’s concessions business

ITALY. Autogrill is “considering any opportunity to create value for its shareholders,” a spokeswoman for the Italian travel food services giant told The Moodie Davitt Report today as the company responded to questions regarding Elior’s mooted sale of its airport and motorway catering business.

BiBo Flamenco Bar&Tapas, part of Areas’s new concession at Malaga Airport, Spain. Areas is the world’s number three player in contract catering.

Elior, the French food service group, said last month that it had launched a review of the concessions business that accounts for 28% of its overall group revenue of €6.4 billion (£5.7 billion). The concessions form part of Elior’s Areas arm.

The Autogrill logo on a roadside building designed by Giuilio Ceppi near Lainate, northern Italy. (Source: Wikimedia)

Autogrill, which is controlled by the Bennetton family’s investment vehicle Edizione Holding, operates more than 4,000 points of sale in 31 countries, serving 900 million travellers per year. It has wholly owned subsidiaries HMSHost in North America and HMSHost International in Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East.

More than 90% of group revenues derive from outlets in airports and motorway service stations. Last month it appointed a new Europe CEO, Andrea Cipolloni.

Elior earlier declined to comment.

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