SSA Group, a best-in-class provider of integrated guest services, has announced a new partnership with Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, and its water park Zoombezi Bay.
The deal will cover food service, catering and retail operations for the two attractions. The partnership was agreed upon in February 2023 and SSA Group has initiated both short and long-term development plans with a range of measures designed for rapid change.
Immediate change for food and retail
SSA Group will support catered events, sales and operations. Two new executive chefs have been appointed, Martin Brennan and Nick Eggleston, who are responsible for the continual improvement in food quality and menu selection.
Menus have already been updated and refreshed at most food and beverage outlets, and local food producers such as Harvest Pizza and Velvet Ice Cream will supply the parks.
New technology will provide additional ordering and checkout options, with self-serve kiosks and mobile ordering in development. Cabanas at Zoombezi Bay will offer mobile ordering in the summer.
Likewise, the retail offer will be developed to expand the product range and improve the efficiency of ordering and checkout processes, with food and retail offers being integrated to create a market-style experience.
Operational sustainability
Operational sustainability will be improved through the implementation of Ecochit receipt paper (a company which plants mangrove trees with each case sold), biodegradable hang tags, a new sustainable product range and policies to reduce the use of bags with the aim of being fully bagless by summer. In addition, at Congo River Market, disposable, single-use service ware has been replaced with wash ware.
Looking forward, projects over the next year will continue to improve the guest experience with renovated and improved food and retail locations. A partnership is planned with a local chef to create sustainable menus. New carts and kiosks will be installed across the parks, and further investment in integrated technologies will help to improve the visitor experience.
SSA Group has recently helped to promote the new Tutankhamun AR experience to media, in partnership with the Center of Science and Industry (COSI) in Columbus.
