BETHESDA, Md. -- Host Marriott Services Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Autogrill SpA, announced today that it has changed its company name to HMSHost Corporation. Management has been contemplating a name change for the company since it was acquired by Autogrill SpA in September 1999 in a transaction valued at over $929 million.

"We have been working with our new shareholder to develop an exciting vision for our new combined companies. Host Marriott Services Corporation is the clear market leader in travel related concessions in North America," said William W. McCarten, President and CEO of the Company. "Overnight, our combination with Autogrill created a leading concessions company with a substantial market presence in airports and motorways around the world. Our new name, HMSHost, is clearly linked to a century of service to customers in travel venues. We are very proud of our history and we are looking forward to continuing our tradition of excellence as we expand world-wide with Autogrill."

HMSHost Corporation, formerly known as Host Marriott Services Corporation, is a Delaware based corporation that is the parent company to many operating and other subsidiaries, the largest of which is Host International, Inc. Through its operating and other subsidiaries, HMSHost has contract rights to operate food, beverage and retail concessions in over 70 airport and 90 tollroad locations throughout the world. Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, the company was traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol HMS before the Autogrill acquisition. HMSHost Corporation has revenues of $1.5 billion and is North America's leading provider of food, beverage and retail concessions in travel venues, with approximately 26,000 employees in eight countries around the globe. The company operates in 18 of the 20 largest airports in the US and is best known for its unique business approach that combines internationally known brands including Burger King, Starbucks Coffee, Chili's Too, CPK ASAP and proprietary brands such as Fox Sports and Simply Books in concessions located in airports, travel plazas and other tourist destinations.