Dutch Rail (NS) awards Smullers to Lagardère Travel Retail

Dutch Rail (NS) announces that its Smullers fast food operations have been awarded to Lagardère Travel Retail, following a tender process.

The 28 food outlets included in the tender are currently operated by Dutch Rail across the Netherlands. The parties will transfer the operations of Smullers outlets from NS to Lagardère Travel Retail effective February 1^st, 2019. All employees involved (ca. 400) will be re-employed by Lagardère Travel Retail on similar terms as they are currently hired.

Allan Henrich, CEO of Lagardère Travel Retail Netherlands commented, “Lagardère Travel Retail is very pleased to have won the request for proposal for Smullers and is honored that its vision for development of the concept was decisive for its outcome. The addition of Smullers to our portfolio is in line with the growth strategy of Lagardère in the Netherlands. We look forward to welcoming the 400 new employees involved.”

Sytze van der Aa, Commercial Director of Dutch Rail (NS) added, “By selecting Lagardère Travel Retail, NS has chosen to partner with an experienced and reliable party in travel retail and foodservice. Lagardère Travel Retail has used its experience in a convincing manner when they pitched their vision for the development of Smullers.”

Mélanie Guilldou, EVP Foodservice at Lagardère Travel Retail concluded “We are very excited about launching the foodservice activity in the Netherlands, and about bringing this new local brand into our portfolio, that fits so nicely with the needs of Dutch travelers.”