SSP Canada, Tastes on the Fly and Paradies Lagardère have been awarded contracts to operate food and beverage and retail locations at Vancouver International Airport (YVR). The concessionaires together will open 30 new food & beverage and retail locations over the next two years as the airport looks to dramatically enhance the passenger experience.
SSP Canada will introduce 10 new restaurant and grab & go food concepts, including Hawksworth Kitchen, which will be the first airport location for famed Canadian chef David Hawksworth.
SSP will also open Canadian hometown deli The Dirty Apron. Other new concepts include Steamworks Bar & Restaurant, Whistler Brewing Lodge and Red Truck Beer Stop which is developed in conjunction with Red Truck Beer Co. Other concepts include Heritage Asian Eatery, Left Coast Café & Bar, BUILT Custom Burgers and Wahlburgers.
YVR is also working with San Francisco-based Tastes on the Fly to introduce the local marketplace concept Pacific Farms Market to both the domestic and international terminals. The International Terminal market will feature five made-to-order food stations including a grab-and-go section with 49th Parallel, one of Vancouver’s best-known coffee purveyors, and a selection of baked on-site goods from Purebread Bakery. The Pacific Farms Market at the international terminal will also include a full-service restaurant and bar featuring a seafood-inspired menu offering the best of fresh, local catches.
“When looking at our food and beverage portfolio, we put a lot of focus on local and authentic flavors that provide a distinct British Columbian character, while offering a variety of strong international brands,” says Scott Norris, vice president of commercial development for the Vancouver Airport Authority. “Our vision for YVR’s commercial experience is to remain relevant and authentic, while creating an engaging environment with a balance of local and international brands.”
On the retail side, Paradies Lagardère will introduce the internationally renowned travel essential brand Relay, as well as three Vancouver-inspired travel essentials concepts. Accompanying Relay will be a full-service illy Café, which will feature a wide variety of authentic Italian coffee, pastries and other treats on the go.
Paradies Lagardère is also bringing its YVR Coastal News, already a post-security option, to a pre-security area domestic terminal.
“Paradies Lagardère is excited for the opportunity to continue its long-standing relationship with Vancouver International Airport,” said Gregg Paradies, president and CEO. “The concepts we’re introducing into the retail program at YVR will enhance the customer experience at the airport with fun locally-themed items and travel necessities.”
YVR currently has more than 170 pre-and post-security shops, services and restaurants and in 2018 handled more than 25 million passengers, up 8 percent from the previous year.
