Dutch state-owned railway firm NS has reached a deal with three separate companies to take over the running of some station food outlets.

Sandwich bar Broodzaak will be taken over by HMDHost, snack bar Smullers is going to Lagardere Travel Retail and the Starbucks outlets will be run by the SSP Group.

In total, the three chains account for 86 outlets at stations nationwide and have 1,300 employees. The three new management firms all have experience in the hospitality sector and some already operate at Schiphol airport, the NS said.

The sale is part of the NS focus to concentrate on rail activities and running train services.

Not all the hospitality units are changing hands – the kiosks, Julia’s pasta take away and the AH to gos will remain under the NS. Station branches of Hema will be transferred to the Hema group itself.