Restaurant and 24/7 lounge: Fastned has inaugurated “the service areas of the future”

In Gentbrugge, the Dutch charging station giant Fastned is offering a full-scale demonstration of what “service areas for a sustainable mode of transport should look like.” Charging stations, of course but ones harmoniously integrated into an environment designed with users in mind. Guided tour.

Driving along the E17 as you leave Ghent, just before the motorway crosses the Scheldt one last time on its way to Antwerp, the landscape suddenly turns greener. The strips of asphalt find themselves nestled between the Speelbos Gentbrugse Meersen nature park on one side, and sports fields surrounded by meadows on the other. Until recently, a rest area appeared here – little more than a plain, dull truck parking lot – yet it was highly frequented by motorists. “Around 26 million vehicles pass through here each year,” says Fastned, as if to justify the location of its new flagship stations with a single statistic.

It is here in Gentbrugge, a district of the city of Ghent, that the Dutch electric charging giant Fastned inaugurated last Thursday the two largest charging sites in its history. Positioned on opposite sides of the European route, the twin Fastned Gentbrugge stations each offer 16 ultra-fast charging points (400kW), along with 2 chargers dedicated to electric trucks — a €1 million investment in infrastructure. But that’s not the only noteworthy feature of these new service stations, which of course include the brand’s iconic solar-canopy design.

“For people, not just cars“”

“These stations represent a tangible vision of the future of sustainable mobility. They offer a blueprint for the service area of the electric generation,” explained Michiel Langezaal, co-founder and CEO of Fastned, at the inauguration. He emphasized that Gentbrugge is meant to serve as a roadmap for the future, one that policymakers can draw on to shape the next generation of motorway service areas. And importantly, these are the first of their kind across the entire Fastned network (which plans to exceed fifty sites in Belgium by the end of the year).

This new type of station offers “all-inclusive” services, with a full restaurant, a 24/7 self-service shop, toilets and showers, picnic tables, and an outdoor playground. “We are showing what is possible when you design infrastructure for people, not just for cars,” Langezaal stressed.

“A Next-Level Experience”

Stepping through the automatic sliding doors, the first thing you notice is the counter, stocked with sandwiches, smoothies, and pre-made salads. Behind the refrigerated display case stands a calm-looking server, wearing a green apron tied neatly at the waist. Their presence is meant to be discreet yet attentive. They're not just there to serve coffee or a snack – they serve as a bridge between the road and a moment of rest.

The open kitchen adds to the overall experience. This time, the chef isn’t Tokcel, the Turkish restaurateur behind Fastned’s first store-station, inaugurated in April 2024. Instead, the space is run by Vermaat, the Dutch group specializing in managing and operating foodservice concepts in high-traffic locations.

“We are proud of this collaboration with Fastned. Both companies stand for innovation and quality, which is clearly reflected in both the food and beverage offerings and the design of the locations,” said Ingrid van Leeuwen, Marketing Director, and Pieter Munten, Managing Director Belgium at Vermaat. “We want to take the travel experience to the next level.”

Meeting Customers’ Broader Needs

Next to the counter, a wide and varied selection of grab-and-go snacks is available. There’s something for everyone.

“Whether you need a morning coffee, a snack for the kids, or a hot meal on a long journey, everyone is welcome in our beautiful space – whether you drive an electric vehicle or not,” emphasized Jasper van Dijk, Director of Retail Development.

And there’s plenty of room to settle in. Spread across two floors, the location offers around 350 seats, including outdoor seating near the large windows, allowing guests to keep an eye on their car.

A long “truckers’ table” extends from the counter – a communal space for anyone seeking a warm and sociable atmosphere. Upstairs in the lounge, digital nomads can plug in their laptops or gather at one of the communal seating areas to share a meal or work.

“What’s striking about the store’s architecture is the exposed wooden structure. The open layout creates a natural flow of movement, helping visitors easily navigate the space and find the perfect spot to sit,” explains Desarc, the Dutch design agency that collaborated with Fastned on the Gentbrugge site – a blend of functionality and sustainability.

Convenience as a Strategy

After closing hours, the shop remains partially accessible: a lounge stays open 24/7 with no staff on site. This means it's always possible to relax with a cup of coffee and a snack while your car charges or even if you're simply passing through. Fastned had already been testing this concept in Belgium, with a shop and restaurant at its Brecht station and a self-service store at Het Walletje. The company now aims to expand this model not only across Belgium but throughout Europe.

These facilities are being introduced not just to generate additional revenue, but also to enhance the user experience in locations where few or no other services are available. By partnering with experienced retail and foodservice providers, Fastned, a specialist in charging infrastructure, can minimize operational risks without needing to build in-house commercial expertise.

What’s more, early results from the shop launched in April 2024 have been encouraging: nearly 95% of its customers did not have a vehicle to charge. This highlights the growing importance of a consumer-focused approach.