BETHESDA, Md.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–April 9, 2002–HMSHost Corporation, the world’s largest provider of food, beverage and retail concessions to the travel industry, is working closely with Burger King to upgrade kitchens at over100 airport and travel plaza locations worldwide.

The six-month, $1.5 million effort will introduce high-speed toasters and state-of-the-art product holding units into all HMSHost-operated Burger Kings. These changes will enable HMSHost associates to prepare menu items faster while maintaining Burger King’s high standards of quality and taste.

This initiative is the first phase of a larger effort to introduce new food preparation technologies in Burger King kitchens. It will be complete by June of this year.
The second phase of the upgrade, scheduled for 2003, will involve the installation of brand new FlexBroilers in all HMSHost Burger King locations. By cooking hamburgers of varying sizes more quickly and efficiently, the FlexBroiler will expand the breadth of menu offerings while lowering food preparation costs.

“The FlexBroiler will allow our associates and managers to focus even more of their energies on the needs of the customer,” said Patrick Carroll, HMSHost’s Vice President of Quick Service Restaurants. “Its innovative design will translate into more efficient management of labor, production, and stock levels, generating cost savings over the long

Carroll credits the success of the project to the close relationship between HMSHost and Burger King. “Our company enjoys a highly effective relationship with Burger King,” he said. “We constantly challenge each another, looking for ways to improve the traveler’s dining experience. This kitchen upgrade is the latest in a long string of collaborative efforts that have benefited the traveling public.”