Jan 30, 2020

HMSHost Announces Strategy to Bring New, Local Coffee Options to Airports

Move is driven by increased consumer interest in local, sustainable and customized options in popular coffee category

BETHESDA, Md. (January 30, 2020) – Global restaurateur HMSHost is evolving its brand portfolio strategy and will begin to operate new coffee offerings in airports around the country.

Coffee continues an impressive trajectory as one of the fastest growing beverage categories. After years of exceptional growth in local and regional brands across all other restaurant categories, including casual dining and quick-service restaurants, HMSHost recognized the need to expand this approach in its coffee brands to unleash the growth potential in the category. As such, HMSHost will be changing its partnership with Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ: SBUX).

With innovation as a driving influence, HMSHost has its sights set on working with emerging coffee brands to bring an expansive variety and new, creative store formats to airports. Imagine coffee shops during the day that are designed to transition to lively bars in the evening with great music entertainment; concepts that blend seamlessly with retail and newsstand experiences for the utmost in traveler convenience; innovative mobile carts that move from gate-to-gate; and, coffee shops built for speed through highly efficient designs that eliminate lines, streamline menus and use the latest technologies to facilitate fast ordering and production. And, don’t forget the coffee. Consumers desire sustainable, traceable coffee that tastes delicious and supports growers and local economies.

“It’s an exciting time for HMSHost, and we have the opportunity to continue our expansion of local food flavors,” said HMSHost President & CEO Steve Johnson. “We have had great success in bringing regional chefs and popular city dining favorites to airports and we’re ready to do the same with the coffee category. While we have, and will continue, a long partnership with Starbucks, we’re continuing to innovate in this space and focus on serving consumer and airport partner needs.”

HMSHost has had tremendous success with bringing the ‘best of the city’ restaurants and bars into the more than 120 airports where we operate around the globe. Our award-winning and popular concepts include Publican Tavern in Chicago O’Hare International Airport, Hugo’s Cocina in Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Border Grill in Los Angeles International Airport, Trade in Boston Logan International Airport, and Emeril’s Table in the newly opened Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. On January 27, HMSHost announced a new 10-year contract valued at approximately $60 million awarded by the Jacksonville Aviation Authority that will bring Florida-based Southern Grounds coffee house to Jacksonville International Airport this fall. Southern Grounds prides itself on creating a community around great food and drink, and soon travellers will be able to experience this chef-driven coffee house in Concourse A.

For a complete list of HMSHost-operated locations, visit the HMSHost location finder map.