Express Catering CEO, Ian Dear, says Jamaicans should expect to see some of its most popular brands outside Sangster International Airport (SIA) by 2024.

Express Catering is a Margaritaville Caribbean Group subsidiary and is the dominant food and beverage provider at SIA. 

The company operates several brands including Cinnabon, Auntie Anne’s, DQ Grill and Chill, and local favourites such as Tastee’s and Juici Patties. ECL currently has exclusive arrangements for the post-security sections of the airport as well as a significant share of the pre-security offering.

Speaking on Taking Stock with Kalilah Reynolds, Dear said that the company has already begun expanding to new areas of the airport and wants to fine-tune those operations before venturing into new markets.

Dear said ECL recently began operating in the general public areas of SIA, which gives more Jamaicans the opportunity to sample its offerings.

“So right now anybody can just pull up in their car and buy a Cinnabon or Auntie Anne’s pretzel,” he said.

The CEO said the company is trying to work out any kinks in this small expansion before it begins an islandwide rollout of these popular international brands.

“We are taking some brands outside of the airport. Right now we’re focusing on three brands; Cinnabon, Auntie Anne’s and a chicken concept called Spice Kitchen and Bar,” he revealed. 

“But right now we’re focusing on these new areas at the airport. Once that is done we’ll roll out across the island,” he added.

Dear said the expansion is part of its plans to diversify its revenue streams and not depend so heavily on the tourism market.

Express Catering rebound

Express Catering has made a tremendous recovery since the country’s economy reopened. 

For the first six months of ECL’s financial year 2023, revenues 49% from US$6.1 million the prior year to US$9.1 million.

The company’s gross profits were also up 52% from US$3.8 million for the same period last year to US$5.8 million this year.

“Everytime we see a rise in tourism in Jamaica, there is a direct correlation on the spend and the profitability of what we offer in the airport,” Dear said.

According to the Ministry of Tourism, Jamaica’s tourism arrival numbers have already surpassed the 2019 numbers, and Jamaica is expected to meet the updated growth targets of 5 million visitors before the previously projected 2025 timeline.

Dear did note that the number of arrivals may be disproportionate due to COVID fatigue and travellers wanting to get out more, however, he said he believes Jamaica will be able to sustain those numbers. 

“Jamaica has done a really great job of positioning itself in the marketplace as a premium and demand destination,” he said.

“I feel very confident based on all the intel we have and all the market research that we’ve done that the momentum will continue,” he added.

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