SSP Group will open its Soul + Grain, Ritazza and Camden Food Co brands at Jeddah Airport | Photo credit: SSP Group

SSP Group will expand its presence in the Middle East after winning a new contract for Jeddah Airport in Saudi Arabia. 
 

The contract will see SSP Group operate a total of 26 units for an initial period of between five and seven years. 

Café brands set to open at the airport include SSP Group’s Soul + Grain, Ritazza and Camden Food Co, as well as UK-based Crêpeaffaire, Saudi Arabia’s Social Bakery and the UAE’s Café Bateel. 

The global travel concession operator opened its first store in the Middle East in 2008 with an outlet at the UAE’s Abu Dhabi International Airport. The group also operates outlets in Bahrain, Egypt and Qatar. 

SSP Group has also strengthened its presence in North America with the acquisition of Calgary-based ECG Ventures Limited (ECG), which includes the leases of five restaurant and bar units across Calgary and Edmonton Airports. 

The value of the deal has not been disclosed. ECG is the second acquisition SSP has completed in North America this year following Michigan-based food and beverage franchise operator Midfield Concession in May 2023. 
 

“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,” said Patrick Coveney, Group CEO, SSP Group. 

SSP Group currently operates 2,900 food and beverage outlets in travel hubs across 37 global markets. The business posted annual sales of £3bn ($3.8bn) in the 12 months ended 30 September 2023, a 38% increase on the previous year.