Press Release - June 2026

• The nearly 4,300 catering establishments located in service areas, airports, railway stations and maritime terminals generated sales of €1.79 billion in 2025, representing a 6.2% increase from 2024, after the 11.6% growth recorded in the latter year.

• Airports and service areas continue to lead the market, accounting for 45.5% and 44% of the total, respectively, well ahead of railway stations and maritime terminals.

• INFORMA's DBK Sectoral Observatory recently published these insights in the 'Restaurants for Travellers' Special Report.

Madrid, 30 June 2026.- According to INFORMA's (Cesce's subsidiary) DBK Sectoral Observatory—a leading provider of business, financial, sectoral, and marketing information in Spain and Portugal—turnover generated by restaurants for travellers has followed a path of sustained growth in recent years, amid rising private spending, strong passenger traffic and higher prices. However, business growth slowed in 2024-2025, after the sharp expansion recorded between 2021 and 2023.

As a result, sector turnover reached €1.79 billion in 2025, after increases of 11.6% in 2024 and 6.2% in 2025.

The airports segment ranked as the largest, with turnover of €815 million, accounting for 45.5% of the total, after growing by 7.2% in 2025. Passenger traffic at airports again hit an all-time high in that year, exceeding 321 million people (+4.0%). 

Meanwhile, catering in roadside service areas generated €785 million, reaching a 43.9% share and posting 5.9% growth, while turnover at railway stations totalled €150 million (8.4% of the total), up 3.4%. Activity at maritime terminals accounted for 2.2%, with €40 million and growth of 2.6%.

In April 2026, total supply comprised nearly 4,300 on-the-road establishments, a figure that has trended upwards in recent years. Retail locations in service areas accounted for most of the supply, with a total of 3,500 establishments, representing 81.5% of the total. They were followed by airport establishments, with around 430 units and a 10.1% share of the total, and then those located in maritime terminals, at nearly 190, and railway stations (175 outlets).

The sector shows a high degree of concentration around the leading operators, which have strengthened their position in recent years by securing new concession contracts awarded. Thus, the top five accounted for 55.8% of market value in 2025; the top ten, over 65%.

Data Synthesis, 2025