MILAN , Italy – Autogrill Group has entered an agreement with leading Russian oil & gas operator Rosneft to develop the Acafè brand under franchising in seven new service stations on main traffic arteries linking the metropolitan area of Sochi to the airport, the Olympic village and Krasna Poljana, where the 22nd Winter Olympics will be held from 7 to 23 February 2014.
“Following our start up at St. Petersburg Pulkovo Airport last September we’ve been developing business in Russia with the collaboration of a strategic partner like Rosneft, with which we plan to explore growth opportunities in the country’s travel channels,” said Autogrill CEO Gianmario Tondato Da Ruos.
Partnership with Autogrill will enable Rosneft, an official sponsor of the 2014 Winter Olympics, to offer its consumers an icon brand symbolizing the Italian café and snack bar tradition in new generation service areas, managed by the Moscow-based company, representing the most advanced formula for offering services to travellers in Russia.
The Acafè brand
Introduced in 2003 as a development of the snack bar integrating the traditional café with an assortment of patisserie and sandwiches, the Acafè concept has been reviewed over the years in terms of layout and assortment.
In addition to 250 points of sale in Italy, Autogrill has gradually established Acafè in France, The Netherlands, Poland, Czech Republic, Greece and Slovenia
The city of Sochi
Situated in Krasnodar on the east coast of the Black Sea, Sochi is an internationally known tourist resort.
Following the upcoming Winter Olympics, the city will be hosting a Formula 1 Grand Prix in 2015 and a number of football matches in the 2018 World Cup.
