Barcelona, July 16th, 2026 - Areas, a global leader in travel dining and retail, has reached an agreement to acquire the concessions division (“TRGC”) of The Restaurant Group Ltd, in the United Kingdom.
The transaction represents a major milestone in Areas’ international growth strategy and marks the company’s entry into the UK, the second-largest travel retail and hospitality market in Europe and one of the world’s top tourism destinations. The move strengthens Areas’ leadership across every market it serves, adding scale, a new Business Unit, and a highly strategic geographic footprint.
TRGC is one of the UK's leading travel hospitality operators, with a significant presence across the nation's major airports and a diverse portfolio of both internationally recognised and proprietary brands. Its estate includes well known concepts such as Wagamama and Giraffe, alongside successful in house concepts including The Curator (LHR), Sonoma (LGW) and Smithfield (LLA).
As part of the acquisition, Areas will assume responsibility for 38 hospitality locations across 10 UK airports, supported by a team of approximately 2,200 colleagues and generating annual revenues in excess of €240 million. The addition of TRGC establishes the UK as a dedicated Business Unit within Areas and positions it amongst the Group's five largest operations worldwide.
The acquisition represents a significant milestone in Areas' international growth strategy, strengthening its presence in one of the world's most dynamic and strategically important travel hospitality markets. By combining TRGC's proven operational expertise and strong airport partnerships with Areas' global scale and capabilities, the Group is well positioned to accelerate growth, enhance customer experiences and further expand its leadership position across the UK travel sector.
The acquisition marks a major step toward Areas’ ambition of surpassing €3 billion in annual revenue, while reinforcing its global scale and balanced international footprint. Upon closing, Areas will operate around 2,200 points of sale with more than 26,000 employees across 12 countries.
“This acquisition represents a transformational step forward in Areas’ European growth strategy,” said Óscar Vela, Global CEO of Areas. “By entering the UK through a leading platform with a strong presence in the country’s top airports and an outstanding portfolio of brands, we are further consolidating our leadership in travel hospitality. We are also delighted to welcome the TRGC teams to Areas, who share our commitment to operational excellence and delivering the best experience to travelers worldwide.”