HMSHost and New Jersey Highway Authority Break Ground On New Cheesequake Travel Plaza for the Garden State Parkway

Business Wire, April 23, 2002

Business Editors

SAYREVILLE, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 23, 2002

HMSHost Corporation, the world's largest provider of food, beverage and retail concessions to the travel industry, and the New Jersey Highway Authority broke ground today for a new travel plaza facility for the Garden State Parkway's Cheesequake Service Area.

Construction of the facility is scheduled to begin in June of this year. The new plaza is scheduled to open in Spring of 2003.

Located at Milepost 124 just south of the Parkway's Driscoll Bridge, the new travel plaza will feature a variety of exciting dining and retail concepts.

-- Starbucks Coffee - the world's most popular coffee brand

-- Burger King - home of the Whopper, North America's #1 burger among adults.
The Cheesequake plaza location will feature a drive-thru window.

-- Sbarro - serving favorite Italian specialties

-- Nathan's - America's best-known hot dogs since 1916

-- Manchu Wok - serving fresh, fast Chinese cuisine

-- TCBY -- featuring cool, creamy frozen yogurt creations

-- Travel Mart - a convenience store providing one-stop shopping for commuters
and travelers on the go

-- Retail Carts - featuring sunglasses, jewelry, and leather goods

The new plaza will also have a computer room and business center offering Internet connections, FAX machines, and copying services.

"Today's event is a shining example of how effective public - private partnerships can be," said Jerold L. Zaro, Chairman of the New Jersey Highway Authority. "This innovative, state-of-the-art facility will provide tremendous benefits to the 2 million motorists that visit Cheesequake annually. Facilities like this are the reason that the Parkway continues to maintain a national reputation for delivering premium service to its customers."

Zaro added that Cheesequake patrons will enjoy total continuity of service during the construction project. The existing Cheesequake plaza will remain open for business until the new facility opens.

John J. McCarthy, President and CEO of HMSHost, echoed Mr. Zaro's enthusiasm. "We have been proud partners with the Highway Authority since we opened our first travel plaza on the Garden State in 1984, and we stand proudly beside Mr. Zaro on this exciting occasion," he said. "The strength of the bond between our two organizations stems from our shared passion for outstanding facilities and quality service. Continuing this tradition, the new Cheesequake facility will deliver an exceptional array of dining and retail options for Parkway travelers."

About HMSHost

HMSHost, formerly known as Host Marriott Services, is world-renowned for creating innovative concession plans in travel venues. HMSHost has revenues of $1.6 billion and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Autogrill S.p.A.

Together, HMSHost and the rest of the Autogrill Group are recognized leaders in retail, food and beverage concessions serving people on the move. With operations in nineteen countries around the globe, the combined Company has annual revenues of over $2.6 billion.

About the New Jersey Highway Authority

The New Jersey Highway Authority, which celebrates its 50th Anniversary this year, operates the 173-mile Garden State Parkway and owns the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel. The Authority has won countless awards for the operation of the Parkway, including safety and environmental citations.

Carrying over 1.5 million vehicles a day, the Parkway is the heaviest traveled commuter tollroad in the nation.