SSP Deutschland GmbH

Name

SSP Deutschland GmbH

Legal name

SSP Financing UK Limited

Website

https://foodtravelexperts.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1966

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

SSP Group Plc operates food and beverage outlets (proprietary and franchise brands) at airports and railway stations across 38 countries, serving travelers through long-term concession contracts with landlords.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Travel Food and Beverage Services

NAICS

Restaurants and Other Eating Places (7225), Special Food Services (7223), Food Service Contractors (722310)

SIC

Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810)

akta.pro primary industry

Coffee Chains & Franchise Cafes (THAFADAB)

Keywords

• Airport food service
• Travel food beverage
• Railway station catering
• Concession food operations
• Airport restaurant brands

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Food and Beverage Operations (Travel Locations): SSP designs, creates, and operates restaurants, bars, cafés, lounges and convenience retail outlets under management contracts with airport authorities and railway station operators. Revenue is generated through unit sales to travelers, with contracts structured as concessions or management fee arrangements. The company operates both proprietary own-brand concepts and licensed international franchise brands.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

SSP designs, creates, and operates restaurants, bars, cafés, lounges, and convenience retail outlets at airports and railway stations across 38 countries, with the German operations forming part of the Continental Europe division. The company runs a dual portfolio of proprietary own-brand concepts (Upper Crust, AMT Coffee, Millie's Cookies, Soul + Grain, Point, Ida & Frida, TA.SH.BA, Factory, Flax & Soda, Shelby & Co) and licensed international brand franchises (Starbucks, M&S Food, Burger King, BrewDog, The Breakfast Club). Revenue is generated through long-term concession contracts and management agreements with airport authorities and railway operators, with the broader group operating approximately 575 locations and 49,000 colleagues.

Product overview

SSP operates as a food and beverage operator in travel locations (airports and railway stations) across 38 countries with approximately 575 locations and 49,000 colleagues. The company operates a dual strategy of own-brand concepts (including Upper Crust, AMT Coffee, Millie's Cookies, Soul + Grain, Point convenience stores, Ida & Frida snacks, TA.SH.BA, Factory, Shelby & Co, Flax & Soda) and franchise partnerships (Starbucks, BrewDog, Burger King, M&S, The Breakfast Club). The portfolio includes quick-service restaurants, casual dining, bars, lounges, and convenience retail. Recent expansion includes new concepts at Zurich Central Station, Belfast International Airport, and Keflavik Airport featuring digital ordering capabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Upper Crust: Own brand operating in UK travel locations
• AMT Coffee
• Millie's Cookies
• Café Local
• Soul + Grain
• Shelby & Co
• Flax & Soda
• TA.SH.BA
• Factory
• Point
• Ida & Frida
• Five Borough Food Hall
• Soul & Grain
• M&S Food
• The District Pub

Products and services

• SSP Food and Beverage Operations (Core Service) Design, creation, and operation of restaurants, bars, cafés, lounges, and convenience retail outlets in airports and railway stations across 38 countries, delivered under long-term concession and management contracts with airport authorities and railway operators.
• Upper Crust SSP's flagship own-brand food outlet offering travel-appropriate dining options at UK airports and railway stations.
• AMT Coffee Coffee brand with roots in 1993 Seattle, acquired by SSP in 2022. Pioneer of 100% Fairtrade coffee and biodegradable cups. Operates nearly 20 UK sites.
• Millie's Cookies Retail bakery brand specializing in cookies and gifting, operating online and in stores at UK travel locations.
• Soul + Grain Food and artisan coffee brand launched at London Victoria Station in 2022. Offers freshly made nutritious food with carbon footprint and nutritional information. Has 6 UK outlets with focus on plant-based and sustainable ingredients. Operates across 20+ UK airports.
• Point Convenience store brand offering curated essential items including groceries, magazines, and travel accessories. Created for Nordic market in 2006, operates 58+ units globally, expanded to Zurich Central Station in March 2025.
• Ida & Frida Snack brand with wellness and sustainability focus offering healthier fast food including whole grain breads, hot sandwiches, and freshly squeezed juices and smoothies. Launched at Zurich Central Station in March 2025.
• TA.SH.BA All-day bar concept bringing fusion of East and West, with TA.pas, SuSH.i, and BA.r offerings. Features guaranteed service time of less than 6 minutes. First opened at Larnaca Airport in 2020.
• Factory Kitchen & Bar Restaurant with industrial modern design featuring beer, wine, classic recipes, and sports viewing. Opened at Larnaca Airport in 2019 with options for all diets including plant-based and vegetarian.
• Shelby & Co Bar + Kitchen Birmingham Airport bar inspired by Peaky Blinders TV series, created in partnership with Steven Knight. First-of-its-kind travel space concept with 1920s design, behind-the-scenes stills, and authentic props. Won FAB+ Hospitality Awards 2025 Overall Winner: Airport Bar or Pub of the Year.
• Flax & Soda Casual dining restaurant celebrating Northern Ireland produce with local suppliers including Knead Pizza. Features 280-cover flexible all-day dining with regional ingredients and Belfast-inspired design (bespoke mural by Keith Drury). Launched April 2026 at Belfast International Airport as part of £100m transformation program.
• Five Borough Food Hall Proprietary New York-inspired food hall concept at JFK Terminal 4, featuring multiple dining offerings representing New York boroughs. Reopened with refreshed concept in May 2026.
• Adalstrati Food Hall Large food court at Keflavik Airport featuring two food offers and The Drinks Hub bar, created specifically for Keflavik. Launched November 2025 with new digital self-service ordering system enabling single-transaction multi-kitchen ordering.
• Trattoria Tavolare Italian casual dining concept, previously successful at Oslo Airport, serving all-day menu with breakfast and authentic pizzas from pizza oven. Launched at Keflavik Airport in November 2025.
• Yuzu Icelandic burger brand offering beef, vegan, and fried chicken burgers combining Icelandic classics with modern smashburgers and Asian-inspired flavours. Launched at Keflavik Airport in November 2025.
• Keflavik Diner American-themed restaurant at Keflavik Airport non-Schengen terminal offering American-style food favourites. Launched November 2025.
• Starbucks (Franchise Operations) International coffeehouse franchise operated by SSP at travel locations across multiple markets including UK airports and railway stations, contributing to Starbucks' airport presence globally.
• M&S Food (Franchise Operations) Marks & Spencer food outlets operated by SSP, with 50 locations in UK airports and railway stations offering M&S food products to travelers.
• Burger King (Franchise Operations) Fast food franchise operated by SSP at travel locations, including Belfast International Airport as part of the new 10-year contract.
• BrewDog (Franchise Operations) Craft beer franchise brand operated by SSP at UK travel locations as part of portfolio of world-leading brands.
• The Breakfast Club (Franchise Operations) Restaurant franchise partnership with locations at London Gatwick (since 2023) and St Pancras Station (since 2024), featuring the brand's iconic menu as well as a full bar and freshly brewed Origin Coffee.
• Flavortown Kitchen + Bar SSP America partnership with celebrity chef Guy Fieri at Newark Liberty International Airport Terminal A. Menu includes signature Fieri dishes, 10 signature cocktails, 10 draft beers, and 9 bottled beers.
• The Lagan Airport bar at Belfast International Airport being expanded with increased capacity and new look as part of terminal redevelopment.

Quantifiable outcome

• Award-winning F&B operations recognized by FAB+ Hospitality Awards 2025 (Shelby & Co at Birmingham Airport — Overall winner: Airport Bar or Pub of the Year) and ACI-NA awards (Farmer's Market at IND and Hunt & Fish Grill at LaGuardia)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• JFKIAT (JFK Terminal 4)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 May 2026SSP America and JFKIAT celebrated the reopening of the refreshed Five Borough Food Hall, SSP America's proprietary New York-inspired food hall concept at JFK Terminal 4. The partnership continues the development of diverse dining options in the award-winning terminal.
• Belfast International AirportcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2025SSP Group and Belfast International Airport entered a new 10-year contract as part of the airport's £100 million investment program. SSP will expand from its existing operations to 9 units, including a new casual dining restaurant, Soul & Grain grab-and-go, Starbucks, Burger King, The Lagan bar expansion, and a new 300-cover premium bar and kitchen concept.
• Isavia (Keflavik Airport)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 November 2025SSP is expanding its presence in Iceland at Keflavik Airport, where it made its debut in Spring 2023. Five new units opened in November 2025 featuring Adalstrati Food Hall, The Drinks Hub, Trattoria Tavolare, Yuzu, POINT kiosk, and Keflavik Diner, with ongoing collaboration on new local suppliers and technical platforms.
• SBB (Swiss Federal Railways)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 March 2025SSP opened two new outlets at Zurich Central Station — Point convenience store (115 sqm) and Ida & Frida wellness snack brand (39 sqm) — as part of SBB's strategy to create a diverse and recognizable station range combining established concepts with local and new offerings.
• StarbuckscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSSP operates Starbucks franchise outlets at travel locations across multiple markets including UK airports and railway stations, contributing to Starbucks' airport presence globally.
• M&S FoodcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSSP operates 50 M&S Food outlets in UK airports and railway stations, offering M&S food products to travelers with strong seasonal performance (e.g., Valentine's Day flower and treat sales).
• Burger KingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSSP operates Burger King franchise outlets at travel locations, including Belfast International Airport as part of the new 10-year contract.
• BrewDogminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSSP operates BrewDog bars in UK travel locations as part of its portfolio of world-leading brands.
• The Breakfast ClubminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSSP partnership with The Breakfast Club began in 2023 at London Gatwick, with a second site at St Pancras Station in 2024. The cafs feature the brand's iconic menu as well as a full bar and freshly brewed Origin Coffee.
• Knead Pizza (Belfast)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSSP is working with Belfast local favourite Knead Pizza, a firm staple of Belfast's iconic Common Market, to bring an authentic taste of the city to Belfast International Airport for passengers at the new Flax & Soda restaurant.
• Local Icelandic SuppliersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSSP is working with selected local Icelandic suppliers to refresh the Keflavik Airport offer regularly with new products and promotions, adding to the sense of place.
• Jucker Farm / Stoll Coffee (Zurich)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPoint store at Zurich Central Station features regional Swiss products from local Jucker Farm shops and coffees from Zurich-based coffee roaster Stoll, complementing the Point snack range.
• Thirst Drinks (Salt Lake City)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThirst Drinks, founded by Ethan Cisneros, is an innovative brand serving 'dirty sodas,' pretzels, beignets and pastries in quick service format at Salt Lake City International Airport as part of SSP America's expansion.
• Sunday's Best / McHenry Group (Salt Lake City)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSunday's Best, led by Chef Tyler Stokes (2022 Utah Restaurant Association Chef of the Year), operates at Salt Lake City International Airport — OpenTable's most booked brunch in Utah — now brought to travelers by SSP America in partnership with McHenry Group.
• Jackson Soul Food (Miami)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJackson Soul Food, a historic minority-owned soul food restaurant brand founded in Miami's Overtown in the 1940s, opened at Miami International Airport as part of SSP America's 'Taste of Place' strategy, with franchise Chick-fil-A also included.
• Guy Fieri / FlavortowncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSSP America opened Flavortown Kitchen + Bar at Newark Liberty International Airport Terminal A in partnership with celebrity chef Guy Fieri. The menu includes signature Fieri dishes, 10 signature cocktails, 10 draft beers, and 9 bottled beers, representing one of SSP's highest-profile brand partnerships.
• Keith Drury (Belfast Artist)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal Belfast artist Keith Drury created a bespoke mural titled 'Best of Belfast' as a striking centrepiece for the new Flax & Soda restaurant at Belfast International Airport, celebrating the city's culture and history.
• Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders Creator)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerShelby & Co Bar + Kitchen at Birmingham Airport was created in partnership with Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight, named after the infamous Shelby family from Birmingham, with behind-the-scenes stills and authentic props from the TV series.
• Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSSP America participates in AMAC's Airport Business Diversity Conference, aligning with its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the aviation industry.
• FareShareminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSSP Foundation has raised money through charity gala and auction since 2022 to support FareShare, the UK's largest food redistribution charity. Donations of more than £500,000 have funded five new lorries for FareShare's fleet.
• Trussell (UK Food Banks)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSSP Foundation supports Trussell, the UK's largest community of food banks, by funding the Help through Hardship helpline run in partnership with Citizens Advice, and supporting the Food Bank Resilience Programme.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• Compass Group: Global contract foodservice giant operating across multiple sectors including business & industry, healthcare, education, and sports & leisure. Competitor in the broader contract catering space and a potential bidder for travel-location contracts.
• Sodexo: French multinational contract foodservice and facilities management company. Competes with SSP in the broader contract catering market and has historical exposure to travel locations through its legacy travel-related operations.
• Elior Group: France-based contract catering group operating in business & industry, education, healthcare, and travel locations. Comparable to SSP's contract-driven foodservice model in Continental Europe.
• Avolta (formerly Dufry): World's largest travel retail operator following the Dufry–Autogrill merger. While primarily duty-free and convenience retail, its food service division directly competes with SSP for airport food and beverage concession contracts globally.

Direct peers

• Lagardère Travel Retail: Global travel retail and F&B operator present in airports and railway stations across Europe, North America, and Asia Pacific. Overlaps with SSP in travel hospitality F&B (the 'Travel Food' arm) and competes for similar concession tenders.
• Areas: Spanish-headquartered global F&B and travel retail concession operator with a strong footprint in European airports, motorway service areas, and railway stations. Directly comparable to SSP's Continental Europe division, with overlapping own-brand and franchise model.
• Delaware North: US-based hospitality and F&B company operating at airports, sports venues, and national parks. Competes with SSP America for airport concession contracts and offers a similar portfolio of proprietary and branded concepts.
• HMSHost (Autogrill): North America's largest airport F&B operator, operating restaurants, bars, and grab-and-go concepts under concession contracts at US airports. Direct competitor to SSP America in the same airports (JFK, Newark, LGA, Sea-Tac) with a comparable mix of own-brand and franchise concepts.

Regional players

• Travel Food Services: India-based F&B operator at airports and travel locations, prominently linked in SSP's own corporate site. Competes with SSP's Asia Pacific and India operations in the Indian travel F&B segment.
• Eurest (Compass subsidiary): Compass Group's travel and hospitality-focused contract catering arm operating in airports, motorways, and convention centers. Directly comparable to SSP's plant-forward/convenience concepts in select European and North American airports.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/sspamerica
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ssp-limited
• Instagraminstagram.com/foodtravelexpertsamerica

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SSP Deutschland GmbH