Taco takeoff: Tortilla launches first airport site

Located airside at Gatwick Airport’s North Terminal, the restaurant has been launched in partnership with transport hub specialist SSP Group. 

The opening comes as the now 52-strong group​​ strengths its relationship with SSP Group, with a further site set to launch at Leeds Skelton Lake Services early next month.

“We’re delighted to strengthen our strategic partnership with SSP through the launch of two new Tortilla sites at Gatwick Airport and in Leeds,” says Tortilla CEO Richard Morris. 

“Both sites provide an excellent opportunity to showcase our highly adaptable, fast-casual product proposition to customers within locations that benefit from significant footfall, and we’re really excited to welcome new and existing customers when on the move.” 

“Tortilla is a much-loved high street brand and has already proven to be a hit with travelling customers at our Euston station unit,” says SSP UK and Ireland CEO Richard Lewis. 

“We’re excited to now be bringing the brand to air and motorway services locations, and we look forward to further developing our partnership and opening more sites in the future.”

Earlier this year Tortilla revealed it was looking to expand "quite aggressively"​​ following the lifting of lockdown restrictions. 

Morris said there was an opportunity from a commercial standpoint, and that landlords were keen to work with the fast-casual brand.

“We want to take advantage of the opportunities that will, sadly in some ways, present themselves," he said.

“We will be very tough on our site credentials in terms of making sure they are absolutely the right locations. There are places available and we are looking at quite a few, so that’s encouraging.”