Who we are
Founded by Peter Butts in 1971, Airport Retail Enterprises (ARE) began as a news agency at Perth Airport and has since grown into a leading food and beverage operator. We were pioneers in Australian airports, introducing freshly cooked meals, fine dining experiences with world-renowned chefs, freshly ground coffee, and innovative Food & Beverage brands in food courts. These efforts have significantly transformed the airport dining experience in Australia.
In 2016, ARE expanded into the UK, opening Grain Store Café & Bar at Gatwick Airport in partnership with celebrity chef Bruno Loubet.
Despite being forced to close our only UK site during the pandemic due to closure of the terminal, we have since gone from strength to strength. In May 2021, we opened our first UK site coming out of the COVID pandemic – Big Smoke Taphouse & Kitchen at Terminal 2 in London’s Heathrow Airport. And we haven’t stopped there, our growth has been supercharged and we have built an exceptional team of experts leading our business.
2016
In 2016, ARE expanded into the UK, opening Grain Store Café & Bar at Gatwick Airport in partnership with celebrity chef Bruno Loubet.
Despite being forced to close our only UK site during the pandemic (due to closure of the terminal), we have weathered the storm and since gone from strength to strength. In May 2021, we opened our first UK site coming out of the COVID pandemic – Big Smoke Taphouse & Kitchen at Terminal 2 in London’s Heathrow Airport. Since then we have opened:
June 2022
Big Smoke Taphouse & Kitchen at London Luton Airport
July 2022
2 more sites at London Heathrow – The Oceanic (Terminal 3) and The Globe (Terminal 5)
March 2023
Italian restaurant and bar Nolito at London Luton Airport
June 2023
Australian crafted coffee concept Avalon at London Luton Airport
February 2024
Mexican brand Benito’s at London Luton Airport
May 2024
Pizza Express at London Gatwick Airport
June 2024
Big Smoke Taphouse & Kitchen at London Gatwick Airport
ARE expanded rapidly in Australia, adding 20 new sites after COVID, for a total of over 70 outlets. In 2022, our founder, Peter Butts, was honored with the Career Achievement Award at the Australian Airports Association Awards.
In 2024, we sold our Australian business to SSP to focus entirely on the UK market. Now led by Peter’s son, John, and his wife, Hayley, ARE is still family-owned and operates 10 sites in the UK, with 4 more on the way.
