HMSHost to open ‘Minnesota Wild’ restaurant at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport in late October

Named for the Minnesota Wild team, new restaurant aims to be a favorite for traveling hockey fans

SAINT PAUL, MN, 2014-9-25 — /Travel PR News/ — Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport has just given travelers a clue on the next great restaurant to open—Minnesota Wild, named for the state’s legendary National Hockey League team. Global restaurateur HMSHost will open Minnesota Wild in late October. The new restaurant will seat over 200 guests and will be beyond the Terminal 2—Humphrey security checkpoint.

As travelers enter Minnesota Wild, they’ll find themselves amidst the nostalgic snapping and clicking sounds of arcade-style bubble hockey games in play, but this is no deke (as a true hockey fan might say) because once guests are inside they will be surrounded by a collection of authentic hockey memorabilia and live TV action. They’ll feel the excitement of the game around them, with displays of goalie helmets; jerseys from the Wild team and youth players from around the state of Minnesota; and even a mosaic wall made with hockey pucks in the shape of the ‘State of Hockey’ logo. Travelers will feel as if they’re right in a suite at Xcel Energy Center for a Wild game. An alcove in the restaurant will feature big screen TVs, and additional TVs are also purposefully located throughout the dining area so guests are never far from the action on the ice.

The game will be great, but don’t expect it to upstage the food. Hockey excitement spills right onto the menu, (which will be shaped like the blade of a hockey stick.) Diners looking for something to nosh on while watching hockey will enjoy starters such as the chilled citrus shrimp or the dirty chicken chips made with kettle potato chips, blue cheese fondue, smokey bacon, scallions, tomatoes, and crispy chicken tenders. For dinner, there are both hearty and heart-healthy options such as Old World meatloaf, fish n’ chips, pan roasted salmon, and a variety of salads, sandwiches, and flatbreads.

“I’m very excited about the opportunity to feature the world’s best hockey team, the Minnesota Wild, at a new airport restaurant operated by HMSHost,” said Jeff Hamiel, executive director/CEO of the Metropolitan Airports Commission, which owns and operates Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport. “We want people who fly in and out of MSP to get a sense of the region, and I can’t think of a better representation than this great new hockey-themed restaurant and bar. I want to thank the Minnesota Wild and HMSHost for making the new venue possible.”

“With an outstanding menu developed by HMSHost’s renowned executive chefs, local Minnesota hockey tradition, and an exciting design, MinnesotaWild should have travelers eagerly jumping on the Wild bandwagon and echoing the team’s famous “let’s play hockey!” chant when they sit down to dine,” said HMSHost Vice President of Business Development Derryl Benton. “Our partners at the airport and with the Minnesota Wild have been tremendous in helping create this new restaurant, and we couldn’t be more excited about the coming opening.”

To help achieve peak hockey ambiance, donated hockey sticks will be used to create a unique fascia on the bar. The Minnesota Wild has teamed up locally with hockey equipment supplier Total Hockey to run a drive to collect the sticks. Hockey players of all ages are encouraged to personally autograph their broken composite stick and donate it to a Total Hockey location in Minnesota. In return, they will receive a $20 credit towards the purchase of a new stick. The drive is called “Green for Green” to recognize fans’ sustainable efforts with a generous discount.

“We are excited for travelers from around the world and fans across the State of Hockey to experience the Minnesota Wild and the sport we love in a really fun and engaging dining atmosphere,” said Minnesota Wild Chief Operating Officer Matt Majka. “HMSHost has been a wonderful partner and collaborator in bringing the game of hockey to life in a truly unique and entertaining way. In addition, we’re delighted to be sharing the same terminal as our great Wild partner Sun Country Airlines.”

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 30,000 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 €4 billion in 2013, the Group operates in 30 countries and employs some 56,000 people. It manages approximately 4,700 stores in over 1,000 locations worldwide. Visit www.HMSHost.com for more information. We can also be found on Facebook at fb.com/HMSHost.

ABOUT METROPOLITAN AIRPORTS COMMISSION
The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) is a public corporation of the state of Minnesota. The MAC owns and operates seven airports in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area, including Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and six general aviation facilities. Through operation of its airports, the MAC generates more than $10 billion annually for the area economy and supports more than 76,000 area jobs.

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