HMSHost/Grab alliance expands food preordering at airports

HMSHost has formed a partnership with e-commerce platform Grab to allow travelers to order food from menus at many of the 300 brands and 2,000 restaurant locations HMSHost operates in more than 80 airports across North America. The Grab app allows users to view menus, gauge wait times and place prepaid orders so that travelers can have their food ready to pickup when they arrive at a restaurant.

Featuring HMSHost’s restaurants on Grab is the first phase of a broader innovation strategy by HMSHost to expand service levels through innovation and technology-based tools that complement traditional guest service.

“HMSHost is very excited to partner with Grab," said HMSHost Executive Vice President/Chief Commercial Officer Jeff Yablun in a release announcing the partnership. “This is a huge step towards increasing the convenience of dining for travelers and directly supports our goal to continue implementing innovative solutions that enable us to provide the best guest experience in the industry. Through this partnership we are combining the broad reach of HMSHost’s airport dining offerings with Grab’s rising mobile ordering platform to enhance the experience for the large base of travelers that are served every day by HMSHost.”

“The proliferation of Grab at airports across the country reflects traveler demand for convenience and a more personalized experience,” added Grab CEO Mark Bergsrud. “Partnering with a travel restaurant leader and innovator like HMSHost demonstrates the value of an industry-wide approach to solutions like mobile commerce.”

HMSHost operates dining at 116 airports around the world, including 44 of the 50 busiest in North America, generating annual revenues of $2.88 billion. Grab currently offers mobile ordering at over 110 restaurants across 15 airports and its app is compatible with both Android and iOS mobile devices.