SSP AMERICA OPENS FIVE NEW UNITS AT SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Award-winning regional, national and proprietary brands are among the mix 

Lansdowne, VA, August 15, 2013:  SSP America, the North American division of SSP, the leading operator of food and beverage brands in travel locations worldwide, is delighted to announce the opening of five new restaurants at San Diego International Airport’s (SAN) Terminal 2 West.  The restaurants are part of the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority’s comprehensive Concessions Development Program (CDP) and signify SSP America’s portfolio of 17 restaurants as the primary food and beverage concessionaire at the airport.

The five new locations bring national brands Qdoba Mexican Grill, Red Mango and Peet’s Coffee & Tea, as well as SSP’s own, award-winning UrbanCrave and Camden food co., creating a diverse mix that delivers optimal choice and optimum flavor for travelers to the airport.

The units are located at Terminal 2 West, which includes Sunset Cove, SAN’s beautiful new central dining and shopping venue. Sunset Cove is part of the airport’s wider The Green Build, a $1 billion improvement project that brings 10 new gates, a dual-level roadway, curbside check-in as well as the new and redeveloped commercial offerings.

SSP America’s President and CEO, Les Cappetta, commented, “Our latest line-up for SAN is an excellent representation of the balanced mix SSP America can develop to meet the specific needs of an airport.  Working closely with our partners at SAN, we were able to create the perfect portfolio for the travelers of San Diego International – distinguished national brands, Southern California-based brands, and some of our newest, most innovative brand concepts.”

Thella Bowens, President and CEO of the Airport Authority, commented, “We are thrilled to welcome SSP’s unique and popular dining options to San Diego International Airport. Whether it’s freshly prepared nachos at Qdoba Mexican Grill, signature coffee from Peet’s Coffee & Tea, a tart treat from Red Mango, healthy snacks at Camden food co., or the hip atmosphere and bold cuisine of UrbanCrave – their impressive variety of offerings reinforces our goal to bring the best local, regional, national, and international brands to travelers throughout the airport.”

SAN represents the first San Diego location for one of the nation’s leading fast-casual Mexican concepts, Qdoba Mexican Grill. Simply not your typical Mexican restaurant – Qdoba is a Mexican kitchen where travelers to SAN will be able to enjoy a fast, handcrafted meal assembled with fresh, premium ingredients.  Everything at Qdoba showcases the brand’s commitment to high-quality ingredients, innovative flavors and fresh preparation – from their signature 3-Cheese Queso and hand-smashed guacamole to grilled flat-iron steak and slow-roasted pulled pork. 

Peet’s Coffee & Tea, the premier specialty coffee and tea company in the U.S., is dedicated to crafting the highest quality coffee, as set forth by founder, Alfred Peet, since he opened the first store in Berkeley, CA in 1966.  Each batch of coffee is personally hand roasted, and roast masters select the world’s best coffee beans.  Every process in place is set to maintain a strict standard of freshness.  Peet’s drinkers in SAN will get coffee made from the same consistently fresh and flavorful beans available at Peet’s stores and online.  For tea enthusiasts, Peet’s offers an equally thoughtful selection of high-quality herbal, certified organic and rare teas.   

Health-conscious Californians, be prepared - Red Mango is landing at SAN. With customers increasingly looking for healthy, impulsive indulgences during their travels, Red Mango is an ideal choice. Founded in 2002 in South Korea and introduced in the United States by Daniel Kim in 2007, Red Mango is credited as the pioneer of the tart variety of all-natural nonfat frozen yogurt sweeping the nation. Made fresh daily, with no artificial sweeteners, Red Mango yogurt is naturally low in fat, low in calories, rich in probiotics and gluten free.

Industry acclaimed UrbanCrave offers passengers authentic street food in a straight forward, no frills environment and is the first of two locations to open in SAN.  Not intended for the timid, UrbanCrave serves up “bites from the edge”, including its ever popular 8oz fresh ground chuck burgers served “juicy lucy”, Cowboy Fries, and Harbor Tacos made with beer battered cod and topped with fresh cabbage and avocado salsa in a flour tortilla.  Travelers are encouraged to pull up a stool to the unique reclaimed bar top of riveted steel, order some grub and wash it down with a tall cold brew.

SSP’s own multiple award-winning Camden food co. is the traveler’s haven for fresh, health-conscious eating.  At SAN, Camden has taken its ever-present ethos of using the freshest possible foods.  Each Camden partners with local farms, dairies, premium growers and specialty food artisans to bring travelers a market laden with locally produced and regionally sourced products, all with the nutrition-packed, wholesome nourishment consumers are looking for.  For those with specific diets, Camden food co. has organic, non-GMO, kosher, vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, low fat and antioxidant-rich fare. So there’s certainly something for every traveler, including mom-approved options that kids will love, too.

SSP America’s additional units at SAN will continue to open up throughout the next year and include such concepts as Jack in the Box, Pacifica Breeze, Panda Express, 100 Wines Kitchen and Upper Crust.

About SSP

SSP is the leading dedicated provider of food and beverage brands in travel locations, operating restaurants, bars, cafes, food courts, lounges and convenience stores in airports, train stations, motorway service stations and other leisure locations. With a heritage stretching back over 60 years, today SSP has 30,000 employees, serving over a million customers every day. It has business at over 140 airports and over 250 rail stations, and operates more than 2,100 units in 30 countries around the world.

SSP operates an extensive portfolio of over 200 international, national, local and specialty brands. These include Upper Crust, Starbucks, Caffè Ritazza, Burger King, M&S Simply Food, Millie's Cookies, O'Learys, Caviar House & Prunier, and leading Asian brands Ajisen Ramen and Saboten, as well as stunning bespoke concepts such as the Montreux Jazz Cafe in Geneva and the award winning Center Bar at Zurich.

Its brand portfolio is tailored for each specific location, depending on variables such as passenger profile, consumer need states, location type, size and design.

About SSP America/SSP Canada

SSP America/Canada operates in more than 40 airports across North America bringing a variety of local, regional and national brands to the traveling consumer at a vast array of price ranges.  Third party brands in the company's broad portfolio include The Palm Restaurant, Einstein Bros. Bagels, Gordon Biersch, Panda Express, Tigín, Peet's Coffee & Tea, T.G.I. Friday's, Tim Hortons, The Great American Bagel and Buffalo Wild Wings.  SSP America's brand portfolio also includes strong, local award-winning icons such as Laurelwood Public House & Brewery, Harry & Izzy's, Nonna Bartolotta's, and Alterra Coffee. For more information, please visit www.foodtravelexperts.com/America.

Contact:
Darleen Nascimento
SSP America
(703) 462-4699 (c)
darleen.nascimento@foodtravelexperts.com

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