By Angela Green
Restaurant News is sponsored by Newbridge Software
Boparan Restaurant Group’s Giraffe World Kitchen is opening its second Spanish location in the new yootoo dining and retail complex at Barcelona Airport, as part of a wider five-site franchise deal with Lagardère Travel Retail.
Situated at Terminal 1 Airside, yootoo will offer a comprehensive leisure experience for travellers, providing amenities for all the family in one location. As well as Giraffe World Kitchen, the space will feature the brand’s sister grab and go counter service concept, Giraffe Stop, alongside a LEGO store and a Comics&Books&Candy shop.
Open from 4am until 12am daily, the Giraffe World Kitchen site will span over 4,400 sq. ft and accommodate 210 covers, with the assistance of a service robot. Using cutting edge AI and programmed to be fully automated, the robot will enhance the dining experience and engage with guests through spoken conversation, taking orders and delivering dishes to tables.
The restaurant will offer breakfast alongside the brand’s freshly prepared authentic dishes from around the globe, plus small plates, burgers, drinks and desserts. With a trademark giraffe at the entrance to the restaurant, the interiors reflect Catalonian culture and architecture with mural graffiti throughout and a 3D lattice roof. Giraffe Stop will cater for those with limited airport dwell time and for passengers looking to take food onboard their flight.
Satnam Leihal, CEO at BRG comments: “We are delighted to continue working with Lagardère on the Spanish expansion of Giraffe World Kitchen. As experienced multi-unit franchisees, they are the perfect partner to represent the brand as we continue to grow internationally.”
Javier Cagigal, CEO of Lagardère Travel Retail Spain & Portugal comments: “We’re inspired by the Giraffe brand: it’s unique, fresh and appealing and it’s a pleasure working with such an experienced and professional group. We’re very happy with the performance of Giraffe at Malaga airport and are confident it will have the same success in Barcelona. We’re looking forward to exploring new business opportunities with BRG in new locations.”
The Barcelona Airport opening follows the success of the Giraffe World Kitchen franchise from Lagardère Travel Retail at Malaga Airport and is the brand’s 11th airport site. Other airport Giraffe restaurants include Heathrow Terminal 5, Birmingham and Gatwick as well as Dubai International and Bangalore Terminal 2. Additional international openings will be announced later this year.
One of the two divisions of the Lagardère group, Lagardère Travel Retail operates over 5,000 stores across Travel Essentials, Duty Free & Fashion and Foodservice in airports, railway stations and other concessions in 42 countries worldwide.