USA. The acquisition of Delaware North’s Travel Hospitality Services (THS) marked a pivotal milestone in Areas USA’s history, transforming the company into the largest privately held travel hospitality operator in the United States and the biggest division within Barcelona-based Areas.
This landmark integration significantly strengthened Areas USA’s market position, providing unrivalled scale and access across key US travel hubs.
With a portfolio of more than 400 restaurants and retail stores across 27 airports and 12 travel plazas, serving over 35 million guests annually through a team of 6,000 employees, Areas USA has emerged as the industry’s leading master concessionaire.
The acquisition’s impact was transformative, enabling stronger consolidation, fostering innovation and positioning Areas USA as a leader at the forefront of travel hospitality.
Areas CEO Óscar Vela remarked, “This acquisition represents a transformational milestone for Areas, accelerating our growth in the USA and strengthening our position as a global leader in travel hospitality.”
A major milestone in the integration process was reached in July, when the transition of operating systems from THS to Areas USA was completed on schedule.
This achievement reflects the operational discipline and cross-functional coordination that has defined the acquisition process from the outset, ensuring a seamless transition for employees, partners and travellers alike.
Beyond the integration itself, Areas USA has delivered a series of high-profile achievements that underscore its growth trajectory.
The company recently completed the buildout of hyper-local dining and retail concepts within San Diego International Airport’s new US$3.8 billion Terminal 1, bringing regionally inspired offerings to one of the country’s most significant airport modernisation projects.
At Houston William P. Hobby Airport, Areas USA debuted the first-ever Yard House airport location, marking a notable expansion of the renowned national brand into the travel retail space, alongside the opening of Landry’s Seafood House, a full-service dining destination renowned for its quality.
The acquisition of THS also brought with it approximately US$500 million in annual revenue, immediately strengthening the company’s scale and market presence.
“Our growth this year comes down to our incredible team – their dedication made this challenging transition seamless,” said Areas USA CEO Carlos Bernal. “At the same time, other teams kept our airports running smoothly, while the rest focused on landing new business and building innovative concepts. We’re also grateful to our airport partners for their continued trust and collaboration.
“As air travel keeps evolving, we are proud to be leading the way with on-trend experiences that make every traveller’s journey better. This is just the beginning of what we can accomplish together.”
Looking ahead, Areas USA is well positioned to capitalise on a range of growth opportunities. The company is actively pursuing airport bids and tenders across the country, aiming to expand its footprint in key travel hubs.
At the same time, Areas USA is leveraging its proprietary brand portfolio, incorporating more local and regional offerings to elevate the customer experience and differentiate itself in a competitive market.
The strategic importance of the US market within Areas’ global footprint cannot be overstated. With the THS acquisition now fully integrated, Areas as a global company is positioned to generate over US$3 billion in annual revenue, operating 2,200 points-of-sale and employing approximately 24,000 people across 11 countries.
The tripling of Areas USA’s size means the US business unit now represents one of the most significant growth engines within the global organisation, reinforcing the United States as a cornerstone market for the company’s long-term strategy. 
This article first appeared in the July/August 2026 edition of The Moodie Davitt Magazine. Click here for access.
