HMSHost Signs Food & Beverage Concession Agreement at Ireland's Shannon Airport

BETHESDA, Md., May 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- HMSHost, one of the world's leading airport shopping and dining innovators, has been awarded the contract to redevelop and operate the food and beverage concessions at Shannon Airport in Ireland. The 12-year contract, won in a competitive tender process, is the first for HMSHost in Shannon and involves the renovation of all food and beverage outlets, as well as a convenience retail store. The first remodeled outlet is scheduled to open in the last quarter of 2007.

"Our partnership with HMSHost will allow us to provide an enhanced variety of Food and Beverage options for all our passengers at Shannon Airport." said Martin Moroney, Airport Director of Shannon. "The development plans deliver innovative dinning solutions with a mixture of local and international concepts tailored to meet the needs of our broad customer base."

Shannon airport is the world's first duty free airport and is a key gateway for tourism and industry in Ireland's West. Passenger traffic in the airport has grown substantially over the past 10 years, mirroring the overall increase in the Irish tourism market. In 2006 alone, 3.6 million passengers made their way through Shannon Airport.

    New dining options will include:
    -- A new restaurant offering the best of locally sourced food ingredients
       with a contemporary twist and a unique coffee roasting unit.
    -- Sheridans Food Pub, celebrating Irish food, beverages and products.
    -- International Gourmet Unit, this international coffee concept will
       offer branded gourmet coffee beverages, a wide selection of pastries,
       sandwiches, salads, snacks, and fresh roasted coffee by the pound.

"We look forward to a thriving partnership with Shannon Airport and to delivering an upscale concession program with exceptional concepts that will be exciting for each and every passenger," said Walter Seib, Managing Director of HMSHost Europe

About HMSHost

HMSHost is world-renowned for creating customized shopping and dining spaces in travel venues. The innovative company operates in more than 100 airport locations around the globe, including 19 of the 20 busiest airports in North America. HMSHost has annual sales in excess of $2.3 billion and employs more than 28,000 associates worldwide.

A wholly-owned subsidiary of Autogrill S.p.A, HMSHost and the rest of the Autogrill Group are recognized leaders in travel amenities. With sales exceeding €3.9 billion, Autogrill is present in 33 countries with more than 4,800 points of sale in more than 1050 locations (including 163 airports and 689 motorways) where 51,000 employees serve over 840 million customers every year. Visit http://www.HMSHost.com for more information.

About HMSHost Europe

The European development arm of HMSHost, one the world's leading airport shopping and dining innovators, HMSHost Europe is committed to building outstanding dining facilities in travel venues throughout Europe.