SSP Group plc will expand its presence in North America through the recent acquisition of Calgary-based ECG Ventures Limited (ECG). SSP, a leading travel food and beverage operator, will take over the leases of three units at Calgary Airport and an additional two at Edmonton Airport. The five new restaurant/bars – The Kitchen by Wolfgang Puck, Bistro on the Bow, Belgian Beer Café (two units) and The Canadian Brew-house – complement SSP’s existing business at both airports.
This is the second acquisition that SSP has completed in North America in the past twelve months, following the acquisition of the Midfield Concession business, with the final airport transferring in November.
SSP will also expand in the Middle East with a new contract with Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah Airport to operate three food and beverage packages, representing a total of 26 units, for an initial duration of between five and seven years.
Commenting on the news, Patrick Coveney, Group CEO of SSP, said, “Both the acquisition of ECG in Canada and the significant contract win at Jeddah are excellent examples of our business development strategy in action. We are clear that a combination of investing in organic growth and carrying out selective infill M&A will create sustainable long-term value and returns, and North America and the Middle East are important areas of focus for expansion. We very much look forward to welcoming the ECG team to SSP and to delighting passengers at Jeddah with our carefully selected mix of brands and concepts.”
