Download a PDF of the brochure - SSP

Passion.

SSP The Food Travel Experts 

Having operated in the travel channel for 25 years, I have 

watched the industry mature and then decline. The large 

concessions monopolies moved the market from generic snack 

bars and restaurants to watered down third-party national 

brands. The result—poor customer service, drab unimaginative 

spaces and stagnant vanilla offerings that negatively affected 

travelers’ perception of airport food. 

So when presented with an opportunity to change our marketplace to one that is 

dynamic, exciting, forward thinking - and moreover one of which we could be proud, 

I embarked on the endeavor with SSP, the leading dedicated operator of food and 

beverage brands in travel locations worldwide. 

In a short span of time, we have evolved into an organization that is food focused, 

passionate about guest service, and driven by edgy captivating designs. 

A new paradigm is possible and we’re prepared to define it. 

Les Cappetta 

President and CEO 

1

SSP The Food Travel Experts SSP The Food Travel Experts 

Changing 

Travel is no longer a privilege enjoyed by a few. Travel 

has become a familiar part of our lives and, as a 

result, expectations have changed. As people spend 

more time more often in airports, they have become 

more discerning about what they eat and drink. 

4 

experiences 

While travel and consumer demands 

have evolved, the food business in many 

airports has remained what it was 20 

years ago. The current business model 

fails to meet consumer needs or desires. 

Our industry has forced passengers and 

airports to settle for excuses as to why 

their food and beverage programs are 

less than exceptional. 

3 

At SSP America, we’re changing the 

status quo. Our work is based on a true 

understanding of the traveling consumer, 

a passion for great food, and unrivaled 

expertise. By working hard to leverage 

these aspects of our business, we are 

creating great experiences that exceed 

consumer expectations and take the 

industry to a whole new level.


Understanding 

Traveling customers have unique needs. Time pressures, 

security procedures, weather conditions, and luggage are 

all key factors that impact the travel experience. To truly 

meet the needs of today’s passengers, it is essential that 

we understand them. 

consumer needs 

global research – local knowledge 

As a result, SSP undertook the food travel 

industry’s largest study of consumer habits, 

needs and behaviors. It was carried out across 15 

countries, involving over 12,000 consumers, and 

included over 2,000 hours of airport film footage. 

And what we’ve learned has been invaluable in 

shaping our business.


8 

research turned into rules 

Simply knowing what our customers 

want goes a long way in contributing to 

our ability to meet their needs. We’ve 

taken what we’ve learned from our 

research and applied it to every aspect of 

our business. Our solutions are not only 

satisfying passenger demands, but are 

far exceeding them. 

7 

Brands like Camden Food Co. address 

issues of accessibility and desire for 

healthier choices in airports. Indulgent 

spaces like Seafood Bar by Caviar House 

& Prunier satisfy requests for luxury 

and superior quality. These are just two 

examples of how our team of 26,000 

food travel experts is putting passengers 

first in over 130 airports worldwide.


A passion 

Some cook it. Others eat it. And then there are 

those who live it. At SSP America, everything we 

do begins and ends with our unrivaled passion 

for food. We deliver on that passion every day by 

insisting on only the highest culinary standards for 

each and every passenger, each and every time. 

8 


for food 

demanding the very best 

To achieve culinary excellence, we realize 

that each component, no matter how 

small, should never be taken for granted. 

While buying pre-made bread may be 

easier, if making it ourselves produces a 

better product, that’s what we’ll do. 

Frozen or precooked meat may be 

more economical, but when fresh meat 

delivers a more satisfying taste, that’s 

what we’ll choose. 

11 

From higher cooking temperature for 

a crispier crust on gourmet pizzas to 

selecting some new and unexpected 

ingredients, we consider all aspects of 

how to make the experience better. We 

are driven to continually raise the bar 

through creative cooking techniques, 

innovative culinary artistry, and 

imaginative menu development.


ssP Foodlab – driving innovation 

Behind every great restaurant there is a great chef. That is why 

SSP has a culinary team with a rich background and broad 

experience. But our chefs are not limited to their own expertise. 

All are members of our Paris FoodLab, a network of chefs 

working diligently to develop new products and design solutions 

for our worldwide operations. 

12 


Partnering with exPerts 

While we pride ourselves on 

our extensive expertise, we also 

acknowledge the need for other 

perspectives and skills. When looking 

for specialists at particular crafts, such 

as baking or Italian-style cooking, we 

partner with people who are the best in 

their field. 

11 

Thus, we learn from our partners’ 

expertise and acquire their culinary 

techniques - to ensure that our fare is 

not only the best in airports, but also 

the best in the business. This continual 

exploration of food and the sharing of 

global innovation are what set SSP apart 

from our competitors.


People 

driven by 

outdoing the comPetition 

Changing an industry is a difficult task. 

But changing perceptions of what’s 

possible can be even more challenging. 

It takes people who believe there is a 

better way. It takes dedication and a 

willingness to go above and beyond the 

call of duty. Every single day. We’re not 

comfortable with anything less than 

exceptional. 

Recruiting people who are passionate 

about food is not enough. We believe in 

recruiting those who also possess the 

drive to change the status quo. Hiring 

people who embody our values and 

share our vision is essential for our 

continued success. 

12 15 

perfection


16 


the Passion For service 

Our passion for food lies in the kitchen 

with our chefs. But we want that love 

and enthusiasm to overflow to our 

dining rooms. We believe that great 

restaurant experiences are not complete 

without exceptional service. 

17 15 

Going the extra mile is not an extra. 

It is what we want our customers to 

expect when they dine with us. Our 

team is composed of people who 

have a genuine desire to provide a 

dining experience that is customized 

for each guest, whether that guest 

is grabbing an item to go or sitting 

down for a complete meal.


Environments 

Great food and service are simply the first steps to 

creating a better experience. Developing the right 

environment in which to serve that food is vital. 

that connect 

Focused design 

SSP works with the best interior design 

firms in the world. We choose to question 

the boundaries of our imagination to build 

environments that truly connect with passenger 

needs – right down to the smallest detail. With 

the creation of respite areas to soothe tired 

passengers and the implementation of wide 

aisles that accommodate carry-on luggage, our 

restaurants are all focused on the unique needs 

of passengers. 

considerate to the Planet 

SSP’s passion for bringing the very best of 

cuisine to our traveling consumers is mirrored 

in our commitment to the health of Mother 

Earth. Through the Going Green initiative, 

SSP is exploring ways to embed ecological 

solutions into our operations and designs. The 

use of reclaimed wood for countertops and the 

recycling of corks from Le Grand Comptoir, 

are inspirational elements that ensure that our 

environments are kind to the planet.


20 

liFe is in the details 

Every SSP America space presents an 

opportunity to provide a sanctuary 

for customers, a space in which they 

will actually choose to spend their 

time. Whether that space is lively 

and energetic or warm and relaxing, 

passengers can revel in the small 

19 

comforts that truly make all the 

difference. From soft seating covered 

in luxurious fabrics to ergonomically 

designed food trays, no detail is too 

insignificant for us to consider. After 

all, it is in the details that true style and 

innovation are born.


Your smile shows 

our success 

When the stresses of modern travel all seem like 

too much, today’s traveler can be sure of one thing 

—that their stresses will quickly fade away once 

they step inside an SSP restaurant. 

The smile on our guest’s face is what drives us to 

continually work harder—each and every day.


At SSP we believe we are the true Food Travel Experts. 

It is a reputation we have earned through our insights, 

experience, drive and passion. It is a reputation that 

asks us to stand behind everything we do and constantly 

strive for better. It is a reputation for excellence that 

grows with every opportunity and is one that we do not 

take for granted. 

If you share in our ambition to deliver the best guest 

experiences, then talk to us. Together we can transform 

experiences for travelers across North America. 

It’s time for something better. 

www.foodtravelexperts.com 

22

Download a PDF of the brochure - SSP

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?