PizzaExpress and SSP serve up ‘proper’ pizza at Jeddah and Riyadh international airports
The openings at Jeddah and Riyadh with SSP help drive PizzaExpress’s ambition of operating 1,000 restaurants globally by 2030.
SAUDI ARABIA. UK pizzeria brand PizzaExpress has partnered with food and travel services group SSP to open restaurants at Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport and Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport.
The openings mark an important step in PizzaExpress’ ambitious plan to operate 1,000 restaurants globally by 2030.
The Saudi Arabia outlets are the result of a strategic collaboration with SSP, a global leader in travel food & beverage operations across 37 countries. The partnership leverages SSP’s expertise in travel retail to bring the pizza company’s signature offerings to an international audience.
Founded in London and known for its ‘proper’ pizzas, PizzaExpress has a robust portfolio of nearly 360 restaurants in the UK and Ireland, alongside 110 international and franchise locations across 12 markets. It now boasts over 20 pizzerias in the Middle East.
The airport locations feature a carefully curated menu, combining PizzaExpress’ bestsellers with options tailored to local tastes. Favourites such as the Garlic Dough Balls, Sloppy Giuseppe and the goat’s cheese-laden Padana sit alongside regional creations such as the Meat Lovers pizza, topped with chicken, pepperoni, spiced beef and veal bacon.
To cater to a broad demographic of airport diners, PizzaExpress has introduced a bespoke breakfast menu at the new locations. The menus feature its popular Poached Egg Benedict with Spinach dish, served with baked bread and hollandaise sauce.
The Saudi Arabian launches align with the company’s broader international expansion plans, including its upcoming debut in the USA later this year.
SSP Eastern Europe & Middle East CEO Mark Angela commented: “At SSP we take enormous pride in our portfolio of outstanding local and international brands, and PizzaExpress – with its reputation as a hugely loved name – is an impressive addition to that mix.
“Our brands are carefully chosen to meet the needs of the unique passenger demographic at each location, and our knowledge of passengers in the Middle East means we’re certain that these new pizzerias will be very well received by travellers at Jeddah and Riyadh.”
“We’re incredibly excited to be opening these new pizzerias with SSP, an experienced partner who shares our vision to offer delicious pizzas to our fans wherever they are,” added PizzaExpress Chief Development Officer Chris Holmes.
“Seeing our iconic roundel at the airport will not only give a home comfort feeling to our fanbase of pizza lovers who are on the move but also provides the chance for our authentic pizza to reach new fans and millions of international travellers who pass through the airport every year.
“We are all about making dinnertime, (as well as breakfast time!) showtime, and this remains the case even just before you’re about to take off.” 
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