Arent Fox Counsels HMSHost on Acquisition of Airport Retailer Stellar Partners Inc.

Partner Jay L. Halpern and associates Amal U. Dave and Mark E. Rivera led a team of attorneys advising HMSHost on the transaction including Michael L. Stevens, Loni J. Sherwin, Lianne E. Childress, and Warren Seay, Jr. This purchase marks HMSHost’s re-entry into the airport retail business. Stellar currently operates 38 convenience and specialty retail stores in 10 airports in the U.S.

We are thrilled to be re-entering the airport retail business by bringing Stellar, considered the best small operator in the industry, into the HMSHost family,” said HMSHost President and CEO Steve Johnson. “The expertise Susan and Ramon bring will help us to develop our airport retail business, as well as enhance our existing retail stores in our motorway channel. I have known Susan and Ramon for many years, and very much look forward to working with them to grow Stellar in North American airports and position HMSHost to re-enter this $1.5 billion market.”

Global restaurateur HMSHost is a world leader in creating dining for travel venues. HMSHost operates in more than 120 airports around the globe, including 44 of the 50 busiest airports in North America. The Company has annual sales in excess of $2.8 billion and employs more than 37,000 sales associates worldwide. HMSHost is a part of Autogrill Group, the world’s leading provider of food & beverage services for people on the move. With sales of around €4.3 billion in 2015, the Group operates in 31 countries and employs over 57,000 people. It manages approximately 4,200 stores in over 1,000 locations worldwide.

Mr. Halpern is annually recognized among the best transaction attorneys in the US by Legal 500 and Super Lawyers. He has significant experience advising hospitality industry companies in mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, equity financing, and mezzanine loans.

Arent Fox maintains one of the largest and most comprehensive corporate practices in Washington, DC. The Corporate & Securities Practice is internationally recognized for providing legal service on transactions in a range of industries. The breadth of the practice distinguishes the group from other DC-based transactional practices. As a reflection of that talent, the firm has been recognized by Chambers USA, Legal 500 and U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Law Firms.”