Areas said the dual-branded location will offer travellers ‘typical Italian flavours in Italy’s most important airport | Photo credit: Areas

Italian travel concession operator Areas has launched a new dual-branded store comprising Caffè Vergnano and Italian restaurant chain Rossopomodoro at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport. 

The dual-branded store combines two of Area’s most established hospitality brands in one site, a format Rossopomodoro already operates in the US with Italian foodhall chain Eataly. 

The company said the dual-branded location will offer travellers ‘typical Italian flavours in Italy’s most important airport’. 

Caffè Vergnano’s store collaboration with Rossopomodoro extends a supply partnership between the two companies which sees an exclusive coffee roast, Rossocaffè, served in Rossopomodoro’s 62 restaurants across Italy. 

Founded in 1882, Caffé Vergnano currently operates more than 60 stores across Italy, and a further 75 across 20 countries.  

Areas also operates a standalone Caffè Vergnano store at Rome Fiumicino Airport, alongside outlets at Rome’s Termini Station and Milan’s Muggiano Ovest motorway station. 

The travel concession operator manages 1,900 food and beverage units across 10 countries globally, predominantly at airports and railway stations.  

Dual-branding offers multi-brand operators efficiency benefits, including reduced labour and property costs alongside the potential to showcase complimentary food and beverage brands under one roof. 

In January 2023, US franchise group Focus Brands announced it had signed agreements to open more than 50 dual and tri-brand stores over the next 12 months. The company operates the Auntie Anne's, Cinnabon, Carvel, McAlister's Deli, Moe's Southwest Grill and Schlotzsky's brands. 

Additionally, Russia’s Dodo Brands opened its first dual-brand store in the same month, combining its flagship Dodo Pizza and Drinkit coffee chains at a single site in Dubai, UAE. 

Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company acquired a 30% stake in Caffè Vergnano in June 2021.