Stan Monheim Appointed Head of SSP France, Belgium and Luxembourg

Just weeks after stepping down as CEO of Exki, Stan Monheim is returning to the travel retail sector as Managing Director of SSP France, Belgium and Luxembourg.

The appointment marks a new chapter in Monheim’s career and a return to familiar territory. Announcing the move on LinkedIn, he said he was “proud and honored to take on this new challenge and to return to the exciting world of travel retail.”

SSP, a leading operator of food and beverage outlets in airports and railway stations, runs several well-known brands across the region, including Panos, Pret A Manger, Starbucks, Pokawa and Café Bogard. Monheim’s return to the travel foodservice industry follows earlier stints at sector mainstays Carestel and Autogrill.

He joined Exki, the Belgian natural food chain, in March 2024 at a critical juncture, taking over from co-founder Frédéric Rouvez to lead an urgent turnaround effort. At the time, the company – backed by private equity firm Iris Capital – was grappling with a €1.8 million net loss and facing a recapitalization requirement of €15 million.

Under Monheim’s leadership, Exki underwent a deep restructuring, which included closing underperforming locations, refocusing on profitability, and repositioning the brand toward the travel retail segment. Upon his departure this summer, Monheim expressed pride in the progress made and confidence that the company had been “put back on solid footing.” That view was echoed by some industry observers, although sources close to the company say mounting pressure from financial shareholders and persistent challenges in the fast-casual sector hastened the leadership transition.

At SSP, Monheim takes the helm of a group experiencing strong momentum in the travel dining market, with more than 100 outlets and around 600 employees across Belgium and Luxembourg. While the environment is familiar, it remains highly competitive – a landscape in which Monheim is now looking to leave his mark.