What we do
We are experts in creating and running food outlets for people on the move across the world.
We look to bring a sense of place to the food and beverages we offer. We also aim to take maximum advantage of our international scale. That means looking for opportunities to share the great ideas and ground-breaking concepts we create across the many markets we serve.
We operate principally in airports and railway stations
We’ve built up our business over more than 60 years and today our units can be found at some of the world’s most prestigious air and rail locations. But we’re not just present in airports and railway stations. We also serve motorway service areas, hospitals and shopping centres and provide onboard catering for airlines and train operators.
Globally, we operate outlets across six key categories
Cafes and bakeries
Convenience retail
Casual dining restaurants
Quick service restaurants
Bars
Lounges
Reaching for growth with long-term partners
We have vast experience of creating winning food and beverage experiences, from quick service to fine dining, in high volume travel locations. These are complex settings to work in, from a logistical and legal point of view. But over the years we’ve built up an unrivalled expertise in making sure all our outlets are managed and run in a way that meets the fast-changing needs of our customers and clients.
Our competitive advantages help us to form strong relationships with our clients and partners.
Read more about our competitive advantages in our investment case
On the ground
Successful integration of three new businesses
In 2024, we completed the acquisitions of three businesses in North America: Midfield Concessions (40 units across seven airports), ECG (five units across two airports) and Mack II (eight units at Atlanta Airport). The integration was led by SSP America’s Chief Commercial Officer, with a dedicated team seconded from key departments. This team was responsible for converting existing systems to the SSP way of working, in particular our SAP system, procurement contracts, workforce management, commercial programmes and digital systems, such as kiosks and our Order at Table solutions. Following the integration, which took a period of four to six months for each business, we welcomes c.1,300 new colleagues to the SSP team.
On the ground
Refreshing our M&S stores across the UK
We have a long-standing relationship with M&S Food, successfully operating more than 50 stores across the UK & Ireland. As well as opening new stores, we started a renewal programme across our portfolio of M&S stores to modernise our offer and enhance the customer journey. In 2024, we refreshed 18 of our M&S stores, including our flagship store at Waterloo station. We updated the stores’ look and feel with new lightning, signage and flooring. The update of the proposition, which included the introduction of new in-store bakeries and new self-service tills, was a significant part of the refresh. As part of the refresh, we reviewed the space and layout of the stores and optimised customer flows to adapt to the specific needs of passengers.
On the ground
Mobilising two new contracts in Saudi Arabia
In 2024 we secured three major contracts in Saudi Arabia through our joint venture SSP Arabia: two new contracts in Riyadh totalling 10 units, which will give us presence in every terminal in the airport and a contract at Jeddah for 26 units covering major terminals at the airport. Saudi Arabia is rapidly developing as it implements its the Vision 2030 principles in all aspects of life in the Kingdom, with the growth of tourism a key driver. Saudi Arabia is an attractive long-term growth market for SSP as the country expects to welcome circa 150 million visitors by 2030.
On the ground
Expanding our presence in Spain with wins in the Balearic and Canary Islands
In 2024, we won several contracts in the Balearic and Canary Islands, including in the important tourist hubs of Mallorca, Menorca and Tenerife. At Tenerife South, we won contracts to operate eight units, including a food court offering a selection of international, Mediterranean and Spanish foods. As part of the win, our airside location is set to become the largest Burger King in any Spanish airport. At Tenerife North, we retained all of our business and won two additional contracts, a testimony to our successful operations on the island. We also expanded our footprint in the Balearic Islands with contracts to operate 10 units at Menorca and Mallorca airports, including introducing the international chicken brand Popeyes for the first time both in a Spanish