Gordon Ramsay Group to enhance Plane Food following contract extension

The Gordon Ramsay Group (GRG) is planning to 'enhance' the offering at its Plane Food restaurant at Heathrow's Terminal 5 after securing a 10-year extension of the contract. 

The restaurant, which opened at Terminal 5's departure lounge in 2008, will close for a short time at the end of June for refurbishment and to allow development of its grab-and-go Plane Food picnic concept. 

Changes, set to be unveiled in July 2017, will include the creation of interchangeable areas to create semi-private dining areas, a new bar area and lounge-style seating as well as more grab-and-go counters.

GRG CEO Stuart Gillies said the company was pleased to continue its contract with Heathrow, which is estimated to be worth £70m in revenue over 10 years. Plane Food currently serves more than 800 customers with à la carte dining, 25-minute Express menus and on-board picnics a day. 

He said: "Plane Food has provided a very good return on investment for the Group and also, as the UK’s hub airport, Heathrow has been the perfect location for us to showcase our offering to a discerning international audience of travellers. As we continue to expand globally, our work with an organisation that plays such a central role in connecting London to the rest of the world is extremely fitting.”

Chris Annetts, retail director for Heathrow, said: “Since its opening in 2008, Gordon Ramsay’s Plane Food has become a cornerstone of the Terminal 5 experience for so many of our passengers. We are proud to be continuing our partnership with the Gordon Ramsay Group and are excited about the state of the art dining concept the team are planning to unveil next summer.”