Minority-owned Touchstone Hospitality (Touchstone) has entered into an agreement with global restaurateur HMSHost, a world leader in creating dining for travel venues, resulting in an extensive, multi-unit, joint venture partnership at John Glenn International Airport (CMH) in Columbus, Ohio.
Touchstone is a Columbus-based hospitality company that owns and operates two Donatos Pizza locations inside of CMH. The deal with HMSHost will allow the company to expand its airport concessions business. The locations to be operated under the new partnership at CHM include American Craft Tavern, Auntie Anne’s, Bob Evans Express, Burger King, Chili’s, Hangar 815, Land-Grant Brewing, PGA Grill, Starbucks, and Wolfgang Puck Express.
“The Columbus Regional Airport Authority board and staff have demonstrated a sincere commitment to supporting minority owned businesses,” said Robert E. Lee III, principal of Touchstone. “Operating airport concessions is unique, and Touchstone Hospitality remains committed to ensuring a positive dining experience for the airport customers and employees at John Glenn International Airport.”
Tosin Kasali, vice president of business development for HMSHost, said Lee is an “ideal partner.”
“Robert’s 12 years of success as an airport concessionaire, combined with his 34 years of leadership in all aspects of the hospitality industry, makes him our ideal partner,” Kasali said. “Our partnership with Touchstone aligns with our ongoing commitment to grow minority companies in airports across the nation. This is just the beginning of what I know will be a long-lasting relationship.”
