HMSHost Joint Venture Acquires Ruby Terrace Sdn Bhd

Business Wire, April 28, 2005

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia -- A joint venture of HMSHost Corporation, one of the world's leading providers of food, beverage and retail concessions to the travel industry, and Dewina Holdings, a Malaysian company, has acquired Ruby Terrace Sdn Bhd, a privately-held airport concessions company operating at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) for 3.67MM Malaysian Ringgits ($US 1.0 MM). The joint venture, Dewina Host, has operated at KLIA since 1998 where it is already the largest food and beverage concessionaire.

Ruby Terrace operates five food & beverage outlets in Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Total 2004 sales were 9.5 million Malaysian Ringgits ($US 2.5 MM). Dewina Host currently has plans to remodel some of the spaces to improve productivity and broaden the product offerings as part of its overall plan to integrate the Ruby Terrace operations.

The acquisition solidifies Dewina Host's position as the top food & beverage concessionaire in Kuala Lumpur International Airport, one of Asia's leading transportation facilities, serving more than 17 million passengers annually. The firm currently operates seven food and beverage outlets in the airport under the Burger King, Sbarro, Cheers, and Cafe Marche brands.

"HMSHost and Dewina Holdings welcome this opportunity in the Kuala Lumpur market," said Elie W. Maalouf, Executive Vice President of HMSHost. "We are proud to have the Ruby Terrace operations joining our team."

"The Ruby Terrace initiative underscores HMSHost and Dewina Holding's commitment to Kuala Lumpur International Airport and the entire Pacific region," said John J. McCarthy, President and CEO of HMSHost. "As one of Asia's leading airports, KLIA is a vital economic engine, spurring growth throughout the area. Our plans to integrate the Ruby Terrace operations will make this outstanding facility even better."

About HMSHost

HMSHost is world-renowned for creating innovative concession plans in travel venues. HMSHost has annual sales in excess of $2.0 billion and employs more than 24,000 associates worldwide. A wholly owned subsidiary of Autogrill S.p.A, HMSHost and the rest of the Autogrill Group are recognized leaders in retail and food and beverage concessions serving people on the move. With operations in fourteen countries around the globe, the combined group has annual revenues approaching $4.0 billion.

About Dewina Holdings

Dewina Holdings Sdn Bhd (formally known as Dewina Berhad) is an established manufacturer of premium quality convenience foods. The manufacturer of "Brahim's", Malaysia's household name for shelf stable convenience foods, Dewina was the first company in South-East Asia to adopt the "retort pouch" food packing and processing technique, a state-of-the-art process utilizing technologies originally developed in the US and Japan. In addition to its involvement with Dewina Host, the Company also has strategic partnerships with global leaders in the industrial, institutional, and flight catering industries, serving more than 100,000 meals a day and employing more than 2,500 workers.