SNCF Gares & Connexions and Elior Group will pool their expertise to transform the stations concerned by the 10-year concession contract into convivial, connected and contemporary transit hubs and propose travellers an innovative catering offering based on a wide variety of brands, which are new in France and greatly appreciated by consumers.

Specialised in transport catering and a benchmark player in the railway station sector in France, Elior Group has partnered SNCF Gares & Connexions throughout the renovation of the Gare du Nord station in Paris by participating in the architectural design of dining areas, and rethinking, with a view to, enhancing the client’s experience for the 700,000 travellers passing through the station every day.

Commenting on the SNCF concession-contract win, Alexandre de Palmas, CEO of Areas Europe du Nord (Elior Group’s concession catering division), stated: "Elior Group is proud to have strengthened its partnership with SNCF Gares & Connexions, which will enable us to participate in modernising French railway stations and provide travellers with an innovative catering offering."

For Patrick Ropert, CEO of SNCF Gares & Connexions: "Catering services and facilities are central features of daily life in our railway stations. By awarding this contract to the Elior Group, we are looking for an offering that is exclusive, adapted, and attractive to areas around our stations.”