Mar 10, 2016

HMSHost Recognized as Best Overall Food & Beverage Operator for Ninth Consecutive Year by Airport Revenue News; Travelers Vote Too, Landing HMSHost-Operated Whisky River as Best Airport Bar by USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Travel Awards

ARN also awards HMSHost as Food Operator with Highest Regard for Customer Service; Best Food & Beverage Brand Operator; and Best New Food & Beverage Concept for 1897 Market

BETHESDA, MD — At the 2016 Airport Revenue News (ARN) Conference & Exhibition Awards Gala held in Dallas, global restaurateur HMSHost was awarded Best Overall Food & Beverage Operator for the ninth consecutive year; Food Operator with the Highest Regard for Customer Service (for the seventh year); Best Food & Beverage Brand Operator; and Best New Food & Beverage Concept for the company’s exclusive 1897 Market located at Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

This year, travelers had an opportunity to vote on their favorite airport experiences too, as ARN continued to raise the bar by announcing a partnership with multi-channel media company USA Today to announce the USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Travel Awards, a set of consumer-facing awards voted on by readers. HMSHost locations from across the country were in the running for several of these awards, with Dale Jr.’s Whisky River, operated by HMSHost at Charlotte Douglas International Airport being awarded Best Airport Bar.

“We are extremely proud to have been recognized with these important awards by our industry peers and travelers, and to have the opportunity to accept them on behalf of all of the hard-working associates that make HMSHost the leader in our industry,” said HMSHost President & CEO Steve Johnson. “We have great airport, brand, and community partners who have also played a significant role in these accomplishments. We thank you and look forward to many more years of working together.”

The Airport Revenue News Conference & Exhibition is where the airport concessions industry gathers to learn about the latest trends, network with decision-makers, and experience an exhibit hall featuring established and emerging brands and concepts. This year HMSHost celebrated by exhibiting the award-winning Dale Jr.’s Whisky River, a restaurant HMSHost partnered with Dale Earnhardt Jr. to open in 2015. The airport location is based on the original Whisky River location in Uptown Charlotte which is known for being a lively and energetic place to hang out and have a good time. Through this partnership, HMSHost has been able to deliver the energy of Dale Earnhardt Jr’s brand for travelers to enjoy, with a stage for live entertainment and a simple menu of favorite foods such as chili, burgers, and hearty salads, and drinks including moonshine era throwback cocktails.

HMSHost’s 1897 Market is an urban gourmet market where travelers can experience an epicurean immersion before jet-setting. 1897 Market greets travelers with a wide selection of dining options that are freshly made from locally-sourced ingredients. The restaurant features a raw bar, meat carvery, pizza oven, and wraparound bar, as well as a market with unique items and gifts, and a lounge seating area. 1897 Market was named for the year that HMSHost was founded and is the company’s flagship proprietary restaurant brand. Inspiration for 1897 Market comes from HMSHost’s 119 years of experience and passion for serving people on the move.

Several of HMSHost’s partners were also recognized for their accomplishments in airport concessions, including Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport, Denver International Airport, Edmonton International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, Nashville International Airport, Pittsburgh International Airport, San Diego International Airport, Toronto Pearson International Airport, Vancouver International Airport, and OHM Concessions Group.