HMSHost brings Bob Evans Express to Port Columbus International Airport

Bob Evans’ farm fresh goodness now available in Concourse B

COLUMBUS, OH, 2015-6-15 — /Travel PR News/ — Bob Evans Express, brought to Port Columbus International Airport by global restaurateur HMSHost, is making Bob Evans’ famous farm fresh goodness™ available for travelers to enjoy in an international airport for first time ever. Representatives of HMSHost, Port Columbus, and Bob Evans Farms Inc. celebrated the opening by cutting the ribbon today in front of the new fast casual restaurant, located in Concourse B.

“Port Columbus is thrilled to partner with HMSHost and Bob Evans in offering another locally prominent dining choice to our Concourse B customers,” said Elaine Roberts, President & CEO of the Columbus Regional Airport Authority. “Passengers flying Air Canada, American/US Airways, United and Vacation Express will enjoy the menu items – some new and some old favorites – that Bob Evans Express provides in this new airport venue.”

Bob Evans Express is a new restaurant concept from Columbus-based Bob Evans, specifically targeted to consumers in venues such as airports, malls, offices and universities.

“Bob Evans Express was created with the consumer in mind,” said Bob Evans Farms Inc. Chief Concept Officer John Fisher. “Our new concept is grounded in insight into airport dining occasions. We all want quality, variety and value when eating anywhere, and airports are no exception. But, research shows that the stresses of travel on the passenger create special demands for faster service and portable menu items to go. Bob Evans Express combines the portability and speed people need with the best of what they love about a traditional Bob Evans Restaurant. We call it farm-fresh favorites on-the-fly.”

The menu features traditional favorites like the Rise & Shine Farmhouse Breakfast, BIG farm cheeseburger, and of course Bob Evans’ unbeatable Cinnamon Blossoms and coffee. Now, guests can enjoy delicious new, portable menu items made to travel, like the Salsa & Cheese Breakfast Bake, Wildfire Grilled Chicken Wrap and Pot Roast Mashed Potato Bowl.

“Partnering with Bob Evans and the Columbus Regional Airport Authority, two remarkable Ohio organizations, to bring the first Bob Evans Express to Port Columbus has been a very positive experience and we are so excited to be up and running,” said HMSHost EVP of Business Development Derryl Benton. “Bob Evans is a renowned restaurant brand with both local and national appeal, and we are proud to provide the latest iteration of this beloved brand to travelers of Port Columbus.”

Bob Evans was founded in southeastern Ohio in 1946. Today the company plays an important cultural role in the region as an integral part of the economy and as a hometown symbol of success in home-style dining and hospitality which has touched nearly all corners of the country. The original farm is still operational today, and even hosts a farm festival every year, ensuring the Bob Evans heritage lives on.

ABOUT HMSHOST
Global restaurateur HMSHost is a world leader in creating dining for travel venues. HMSHost operates in more than 100 airports around the globe, including the 20 busiest airports in North America. The Company has annual sales in excess of $2.7 billion and employs more than 33,000 sales associates worldwide. HMSHost is a part of Autogrill Group, the world’s leading provider of food & beverage services for people on the move. With sales of around €3.9 billion in 2014, the Group operates in 29 countries and employs some 54,000 people. It manages approximately 2,800 stores in over 1,000 locations worldwide. Visit www.HMSHost.com for more information. We can also be found on Facebook atfb.com/HMSHost and on Twitter at @HMSHost.

ABOUT BOB EVANS FARMS, INC.
Bob Evans Farms, Inc. owns and operates full-service restaurants under the Bob Evans Restaurants brand name. At the end of the third fiscal quarter (January 23, 2015), Bob Evans Restaurants owned and operated 564 family restaurants in 19 states, primarily in the Midwest, mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions of the United States. Bob Evans Farms, Inc., through its BEF Foods segment, is also a leading producer and distributor of refrigerated side dishes, pork sausage and a variety of refrigerated and frozen convenience food items under the Bob Evans and Owens brand names. For more information about Bob Evans Farms, Inc., visit www.bobevans.com.

 

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Cutting the ribbon, from left to right: Mike Townsley, President of Bob Evans Foods business unit, Bob Evans Farms Inc.; Kirk Christian, Senior Director of Operations, HMSHost; Gretchen Sandusky, Property Management Specialist, Columbus Regional Airport Authority; Derryl Benton, Executive Vice President of Business Development, HMSHost; Mark Hood, Chief Financial Officer, Bob Evans Farms Inc.; David Whitaker, Vice President of Business Development and Communications, Columbus Regional Airport Authority.

Cutting the ribbon, from left to right: Mike Townsley, President of Bob Evans Foods business unit, Bob Evans Farms Inc.; Kirk Christian, Senior Director of Operations, HMSHost; Gretchen Sandusky, Property Management Specialist, Columbus Regional Airport Authority; Derryl Benton, Executive Vice President of Business Development, HMSHost; Mark Hood, Chief Financial Officer, Bob Evans Farms Inc.; David Whitaker, Vice President of Business Development and Communications, Columbus Regional Airport Authority.