BrewDog to reach 100 bars and expand in to international airports
David McDowall, CEO – retail at Brewdog, told the Casual Dining Show in London yesterday the group currently had 84 locations worldwide, with a further 33 in the pipeline this year.
“2019 is the first year we’ll open more locations outside the UK than within,” he said. “We’ll pass that 100 site milestone. We’re opening around three [bars] a month.”
He added that its airside model, the first of which launched in Edinburgh last November, could be rolled out beyond the UK.
“We’ll hopefully do two in United States [airports] over the next 12 months or so, we’re working on doing more in the UK and something in mainland Europe.
“I took 150 flights last year and I can give you a cast iron guarantee that there is no good beer in airports.
“We think there’s a really great brand building opportunity, but also a great experience opportunity for people who are spending time in airports.”
BrewDog’s Edinburgh airport site offers all-day breakfasts, salads, hot sandwiches and 14 beers on tap.
McDowall added that food sales now made up 25% of revenue at BrewDog’s bars in the UK, rising to 50% in its US sites.
BrewDog was founded as a craft brewery in Aberdeenshire in 2007, and launched its first bar in 2010.
It is among a growing number of restaurant and bar brands expanding in airports and railway stations in the face of rising rents and rates on the high street.
Polpo group launched its first Spuntino restaurant in Heathrow’s Terminal 3 in December, while Grind, Crussh, Vapiano and Leon have also signed deals to expand in to travel hubs.
