HMSHost International wins Dutch railway tender with Broodzaak from NS Retail

Contract for 10 years with an annual turnover of 30 million euro

Schiphol, 2 August 2018 – This week HMSHost International, the global market leader in the food and hospitality industry for people on the move, has won the tender issued by NS Stations and will start operating all 29 Broodzaak locations as of 1 December this year. The contract will have a duration of 10 years and generates an immediate annual turnover of 30 million euro.

For the coming years a substantial growth in people travelling through NS stations has been forecasted, which is likely to lead to a sales increase of bread and bakery products accordingly. HMSHost International is currently developing a new bread formula especially designed for Dutch train stations, which will be launched by the end of this year.

There’s more to catch than the train

HMSHost International’s CEO, Walter Seib, takes pride in the fact that NS has opted for HMSHost International: “NS Stations as well as its travellers have chosen for our personal approach. We really can make the difference and we are proud of that. We offer financial stability, but moreover a personal touch that creates locations that are more than just a stopover. They become places that travellers truly appreciate, ‘places to be’. HMSHost connects travellers to inspiring locations and creates an atmosphere that makes them feel at home at any given moment. Each traveller is our guest and gets genuine personal attention from our staff to feel comfortable. Our approach results in an immediate willingness to spend more.”

HMSHost International partners with NS since 2015 and has been operating 17 Burger King stores and 4 La Place stores at Dutch train stations since that time. In addition, HMSHost International runs stores representing LEON, Bistrot, ‘t Koffiehuis and Bar Centraal at different train stations. In March of this year it opened the first Dutch Pret A Manger store at Utrecht Central Station.

HMSHost International makes the difference

Sytze van der Aa Commercial Director NS Stations: "In its strategy Spoorslag Beter, NS chooses to focus on providing an excellent train journey. Providing hospitable, world-class stations and contributing to a comfortable journey from door to door are an integral part of this journey. "With HMSHost International, we bring an enterprising business partner who not only thinks along, but also contributes with return on attention to the growth of the business. By creating opportunities, introducing brands and optimal performance, within our operational guidelines.”

Growth of employment

The takeover shall be carried out with job security of the 400 associates. The predicted growth of travellers and the rising sales of bread and bakery products, suggests a growth of employment for the following years. Not to mention that it will increase the opportunity for growth and development of the current staff. Employees that show interest in that, are offered the opportunity to switch to different formulas of HMSHost International, for example, to locations at different train stations, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol or a shopping mall. Another advantage is the improvement of career prospects for employees: HMSHost International includes its own vocational training facility that offers additional on-the-job training courses. Walter Seib: “We look back at a smooth transition of the employees of Burger King restaurants at train stations in 2015. We guarantee a seamless switchover trajectory and look forward to welcoming all Broodzaak associates to HMSHost.”