USA. Travel food & beverage operator SSP America has appointed industry veteran Nicholas Schaefer as its new Vice President of Central and South America, as it seeks growth opportunities in these regions.
Schaefer – who has extensive experience with tailoring brands for the airport space – will be responsible for all aspects of new business including operations, accounting, information technology, purchasing, design and construction and development.
He will also oversee current SSP business in four key Brazilian airports: Rio de Janeiro/Galeão – Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport; Salvador – Deputado Luís Eduardo Magalhães International Airport; Fortaleza-Pinto Martins International Airport; and Salgado Filho Porto Alegre International Airport.
Schaefer’s previous role was as Senior Vice President of Franchise and License Development for JAB Holding Company, a global investment company focused on consumer goods and services.
At JAB, he oversaw a bagel-focused portfolio of 485 units and US$300 million in annual sales which included market leaders Einstein Bros. Bagels and Bruegger’s Bagels.
Schaefer was also previously the Vice President of Airport Business Development for Delaware North and held non-traditional development roles for Restaurant Growth Brands, Extreme Pita and Quiznos.
He has a degree in Chemical Engineering from Michigan State University and prior to his aviation career worked as an engineer and in sales roles for the automotive division of Groupe Schneider Electric.
SSP America Deputy Chief Executive Officer and President of Central and South America Pat Murray said: “Our goal is to share the SSP America story across the whole of two continents given the universal appeal of our core values.
“We’ve been making steady progress since entering Brazil in 2018 and Nick’s coming on board is an important step in helping us identify even more opportunities in this exciting market.”
Schaefer said: “I’m incredibly honoured to join SSP America’s winning team – a team dedicated to creating a true culinary experience for passengers. I believe the SSP America approach will resonate with the growing Central and South American aviation marketplace.”
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