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'''SSP''' is a leading operator of food and beverage outlets in travel locations, operating in nearly 40 countries in over 600 locations, employing more than 42,000 globally<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 December 2023 |title=SSP Annual Report and Accounts 2023 |url=https://www.foodtravelexperts.com/media/c2hddoyn/ssp-group-plc_annual-report_2023.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref>.
'''SSP''' is an operator of food and beverage outlets in travel locations. The company, headquartered in [[London]], England, is listed on the [[London Stock Exchange]] and is a constituent of the [[FTSE 250 Index]].

The company, headquartered in [[London]], England is listed on the [[London Stock Exchange]] and is a constituent of the [[FTSE 250 Index]].

Patrick Coveney is the CEO of SSP as of 2022<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 December 2022 |title=SSP Annual Report and Accounts, 2022 |url=https://www.foodtravelexperts.com/media/sinnxjj2/ssp-annual-report-and-accounts-2022.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref>.


==History==
==History==
The business was established as a division of Scandinavian airline [[SAS Group]] under the name of SAS Catering in 1961.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.eqtpartners.com/news/Press-Releases/2006/EQT-to-acquire-Select-Service-Partner-from-Compass/ |title=EQT to acquire Select Service Partner from Compass |publisher=EQT |date=9 April 2006 |access-date=23 January 2019}}</ref> Its Select Service Partner (SSP) division was acquired by [[Compass Group]] in May 1993 for £72 million.<ref name=guardian>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2006/apr/10/food.foodanddrink|title=Compass sells Moto service stations and Upper Crust food chain for £1.8bn|work=[[The Guardian]]|location=London|date=10 April 2006|access-date=8 September 2014}}</ref> Compass then merged SSP with several other companies it owned, including [[Travellers Fare]], [[British Rail]]'s former catering division which had been privatised under a management buy-out in 1988 before being bought by Compass in 1992.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cinven.co.uk/ourinvestments/default.aspx?investmentid=87 |title=Travellers Fare |publisher=Cinven|access-date=8 September 2014 }}</ref> In 2006 the business was bought by [[EQT Partners]] for £1.822 billion.<ref name=guardian/> The company was the subject of an [[initial public offering]] in 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/10958894/Shares-rise-in-SSP-stock-market-debut.html|title=Shares rise in SSP stock market debut|publisher=The Telegraph|date=10 July 2014|access-date=8 September 2014}}</ref>
The business was established as a division of Scandinavian airline [[SAS Group]] under the name of SAS Catering in 1961.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.eqtpartners.com/news/Press-Releases/2006/EQT-to-acquire-Select-Service-Partner-from-Compass/ |title=EQT to acquire Select Service Partner from Compass |publisher=EQT |date=9 April 2006 |access-date=23 January 2019}}</ref> Its Select Service Partner (SSP) division was acquired by [[Compass Group]] in May 1993 for £72 million.<ref name=guardian>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2006/apr/10/food.foodanddrink|title=Compass sells Moto service stations and Upper Crust food chain for £1.8bn|work=[[The Guardian]]|location=London|date=10 April 2006|access-date=8 September 2014}}</ref> Compass then merged SSP with several other companies it owned, including [[Travellers Fare]], [[British Rail]]'s former catering division which had been privatised under a management buy-out in 1988 before being bought by Compass in 1992.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cinven.co.uk/ourinvestments/default.aspx?investmentid=87 |title=Travellers Fare |publisher=Cinven|access-date=8 September 2014 }}</ref> In 2006 the business was bought by [[EQT Partners]] for £1.822 billion.<ref name=guardian/> The company was the subject of an [[initial public offering]] in 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/10958894/Shares-rise-in-SSP-stock-market-debut.html|title=Shares rise in SSP stock market debut|publisher=The Telegraph|date=10 July 2014|access-date=8 September 2014}}</ref>


In 2023, SSP announced its entry to the Italian and Icelandic market. The company also announced its expansion in North America with the acquisition of the concessions business of Midfield Concession Enterprises Inc. (“MCE”)<ref>{{Cite news |date=4 May 2023 |title=SSP Acquires Midfield Concession |newspaper=Airport X|url=https://www.airportxnews.com/ssp-acquires-midfield-concession/|access-date=14 February 2024}}</ref> and, later in 2023, the acquisition of the Calgary-based business ECG Ventures Limited.<ref>{{Cite news |date=14 December 2023 |title=SSP Acquires Canada's ECG Ventures |newspaper= Airport X|url=https://www.airportxnews.com/ssp-acquires-canadas-ecg-ventures/|access-date=14 February 2024}}</ref>
During the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom]], SSP announced it was cutting 5,000 UK jobs across its chains, including [[Upper Crust (restaurant chain)|Upper Crust]] and [[Caffè Ritazza]], as part of a restructuring aimed at keeping the company afloat.<ref name="Makortoff-01Jul2020">{{cite news |last=Makortoff |first=Kalyeena |title=Upper Crust and Caffè Ritazza owner to cut 5,000 UK jobs |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/jul/01/upper-crust-and-caffe-ritazza-owner-to-cut-5000-jobs-ssp-group-coronavirus |access-date=1 July 2020 |work=The Guardian |date=1 July 2020}}</ref> In November 2022 it was announced that SSP was buying [[AMT Coffee]] out of [[Administration (law)|administration]].<ref>{{cite news|first=Joe|last=Middleton|title=AMT Coffee sold with rescue of 25 sites, but 100 staff face redundancy|work=The Guardian|date=2022-11-19|page=51|accessdate=2022-11-21|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/nov/18/amt-coffee-sold-out-of-administration-to-ssp-with-loss-of-100-jobs}}</ref>

In 2024, SSP entered into an agreement to acquire 100% of the shares of Airport Retail Enterprises Pty Ltd (“ARE”) in Australia.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Walsh |first=Dominic |date=12 February 2024 |title=Australia deal offers appetising prospect for SSP |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/12ssp-8h959hg80 }}</ref>


==Operations==
==Operations==
[[File:SSP units at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, Thailand.jpg|alt=Three units in airport|thumb|240x240px|'''SSP units at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, Thailand''']]
[[File:Cafè Ritazza, Paragon Station, Hull - geograph.org.uk - 941209.jpg|thumb|240px|A Caffè Ritazza outlet at [[Hull Paragon Interchange]]]]
SSP has a portfolio of brands, including its own and those it franchises. Brands range from well-known grab ‘n’ go sandwich shops and cafés to casual dining restaurants and bespoke high-end concepts. SSP operates international brands, national brands and local heroes, which are prominent brands in specific markets, as well as brands and concepts it has created. Some examples are:<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 December 2023 |title=Our markets - SSP |url=https://www.foodtravelexperts.com/our-markets/ |website=SSP website}}</ref>
SSP operates a large portfolio of small brands, many of which are locally specific. Significant brands include:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foodtravelexperts.com/international/brands/|title=Brands|publisher=SSP Group|access-date=25 April 2017}}</ref>

{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
*Le Grand Comptoir
*Le Grand Comptoir
Line 54: Line 53:
*[[YO! Sushi]]
*[[YO! Sushi]]
*[[Le Train Bleu (restaurant)|Le Train Bleu]]
*[[Le Train Bleu (restaurant)|Le Train Bleu]]
*UrbanCrave
*Walter
*Millies Cookies
*Millies Cookies
*Nippon Ramen
*Whistlestop
*M&S
{{div col end}}
{{div col end}}

SSP also provides outsourced catering on board a number of train services, operating under the brand RG (previously Rail Gourmet). Clients have included [[Abellio Greater Anglia]], [[Arriva Trains Wales]], [[Chiltern Railways]], [[DB Schenker]], [[East Coast (train operating company)|East Coast]], [[East Midlands Trains]], [[Eurostar]], [[Great Western Railway (train operating company)|Great Western Railway]], [[South Western Railway (train operating company)|South Western Railway]], [[Gatwick Express]], [[Hull Trains]], [[Iarnród Éireann]], [[National Railway Company of Belgium]], [[Norwegian State Railways]], [[First ScotRail]], [[Thalys]] and [[VR (company)|VR]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.railgourmet.com/our-clients/|title=SSP — RG|website=www.railgourmet.com|language=en|access-date=2018-01-16}}</ref>

SSP provides services at [[Ottawa International Airport]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dfnionline.com/lead-stories/paradies-lagardere-ssp-named-master-concessionaires-ottawa-airport-09-07-2019/|title=Paradies Lagardère and SSP named new Ottawa Airport master concessionaires|date=9 July 2019|publisher=DFNI Online|access-date=4 March 2020}}</ref>

== Criticism ==

=== Rail Gourmet staff redundancy criticism ===
In 2018, SSP brand Rail Gourmet was criticised for giving staff four days' notice that they were being made redundant on the [[Govia Thameslink Railway|Thameslink Railway]] routes.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cityam.com/220712/thameslink-railway-under-fire-after-catering-staff-sacked-just-four-days-notice|title=Thameslink slammed as staff sacked with four days' notice|last=Neilan|first=Catherine|date=2015-07-22|access-date=2018-01-16|language=en}}</ref>

=== Caged eggs in the global supply chain of brands franchised by SSP ===
SSP Group which operates 550 (300 partner brands) across 600 locations arround the world,<ref>{{Cite web |title=What we do {{!}} SSP |url=https://www.foodtravelexperts.com/what-we-do/ |access-date=2024-02-01 |website=www.foodtravelexperts.com}}</ref> has been facing negative publicity for using [[Battery cage|battery-cage]] eggs in the supply chain of its franchised brands.<ref>{{Cite news |publisher=The British Hen Welfare Trust |date=2 February 2024 |title=The reach-out notes. |url=https://static1.squarespace.com/static/592b0946414fb5ddd395dca2/t/5939512f1b10e322cb16342b/1496928563193/Brands-restaurants-and-supermarket-egg-policies-2.pdf |url-status=live |access-date=2 February 2024 |work=Brands restaurants and supermarket egg policies}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=SSP Group: Food safety risks and animal cruelty |url=https://sspcruelty.com/ |access-date=2024-02-01 |website=SSP Group: Filth and Cruelty |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=ChickenTrack report launched to monitor food companies' progress towards better chicken welfare |url=https://www.ciwf.org.uk/media/press-releases-statements/2023/04/chickentrack-report-launched-to-monitor-food-companies-progress-towards-better-chicken-welfare |access-date=2024-02-01 |website=www.ciwf.org.uk |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=The Food Foundation |date=2 February 2024 |title=SSP Group Scorecard |url=https://www.foodfoundation.org.uk/sites/default/files/2023-07/SSP%20Group%20scorecard%202023.pdf |access-date=2 February 2024 |website=www.foodfoundation.org.uk}}</ref> SSP has committed to moving to cage-free eggs in own brands, and some of its franchised brands made their own commitments either because it was required by law or by franchise agreements.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sustainability Report 2023 {{!}} SSP |url=https://www.foodtravelexperts.com/sustainability/ |access-date=2024-02-02 |website=www.foodtravelexperts.com}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|30em}}
{{reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==

Latest revision as of 23:20, 28 February 2024

SSP Group plc
Company typePublic
LSE: SSPG
FTSE 250 Component
IndustryFoodservice
Founded1961
HeadquartersLondon, England, UK
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Mike Clasper, Chairman
Patrick Coveney, Chief Executive
ProductsRestaurants, Cafes, Bars, Fast Food
ServicesFoodservice
RevenueIncrease £3,009.7 million (2023)[1]
Increase £204.8 million (2023)[1]
Increase £56.1 million (2023)[1]
Number of employees
41,772 (2023)[1]
Websitewww.foodtravelexperts.com

SSP is an operator of food and beverage outlets in travel locations. The company, headquartered in London, England, is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index.

History[edit]

The business was established as a division of Scandinavian airline SAS Group under the name of SAS Catering in 1961.[2] Its Select Service Partner (SSP) division was acquired by Compass Group in May 1993 for £72 million.[3] Compass then merged SSP with several other companies it owned, including Travellers Fare, British Rail's former catering division which had been privatised under a management buy-out in 1988 before being bought by Compass in 1992.[4] In 2006 the business was bought by EQT Partners for £1.822 billion.[3] The company was the subject of an initial public offering in 2014.[5]

In 2023, SSP announced its entry to the Italian and Icelandic market. The company also announced its expansion in North America with the acquisition of the concessions business of Midfield Concession Enterprises Inc. (“MCE”)[6] and, later in 2023, the acquisition of the Calgary-based business ECG Ventures Limited.[7]

In 2024, SSP entered into an agreement to acquire 100% of the shares of Airport Retail Enterprises Pty Ltd (“ARE”) in Australia.[8]

Operations[edit]

Three units in airport
SSP units at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, Thailand

SSP has a portfolio of brands, including its own and those it franchises. Brands range from well-known grab ‘n’ go sandwich shops and cafés to casual dining restaurants and bespoke high-end concepts. SSP operates international brands, national brands and local heroes, which are prominent brands in specific markets, as well as brands and concepts it has created. Some examples are:[9]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d "Annual Report 2023" (PDF). SSP Group. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  2. ^ "EQT to acquire Select Service Partner from Compass" (Press release). EQT. 9 April 2006. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
  3. ^ a b "Compass sells Moto service stations and Upper Crust food chain for £1.8bn". The Guardian. London. 10 April 2006. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
  4. ^ "Travellers Fare". Cinven. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
  5. ^ "Shares rise in SSP stock market debut". The Telegraph. 10 July 2014. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
  6. ^ "SSP Acquires Midfield Concession". Airport X. 4 May 2023. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
  7. ^ "SSP Acquires Canada's ECG Ventures". Airport X. 14 December 2023. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
  8. ^ Walsh, Dominic (12 February 2024). "Australia deal offers appetising prospect for SSP".
  9. ^ "Our markets - SSP". SSP website. 5 December 2023.

External links[edit]


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