Lagardere Travel Retail plans to open 150 Dean & DeLuca airport stores over the next five years after partnering with the gourmet food chain’s parent.

Sorapoj Techakraisri, CEO of Thai property development firm Pace Development, which owns Dean & DeLuca, said since his company acquired the brand and operations in 2014, it has tried to develop a store model that conveys the expertise and heritage of the brand in gourmet food and beverage retailing, and its cafe format, to a wider population.

Sorapoj said the two Dean & DeLuca outlets at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport achieve  higher sales than its downtown stores do, suggesting that the travel/F&B combination is a viable match.

The partnering firms have opened two Dean & DeLuca airport stores at Hong Kong that feature take-out menu items for travellers in a hurry.

Dag Rasmussen, CEO of Lagardere said: “Our entry into food services continues to strengthen our portfolio, and the partnership with Dean & DeLuca confirms our ability to deliver our goals and meet the needs of passengers, airports and brands.”

Another of Pace’s franchising partners, Kinghill Overseas Holding, plans to launch 500 Dean & DeLuca franchises in China over five years.