Central to the celebrations, Autogrill’s Villoresi Ovest is symbolic of the motorway and a crucial landmark for local economic development. In addition to hearing from Massimiliano Santoro CEO Italy F&B of Avolta, Autogrill’s leader across Italy, numerous institutions were welcomed at the event: the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Matteo Salvini, the President of the Lombardy Region Attilio Fontana, the CEO of Autostrade per l'Italia Roberto Tomasi, the President of the Automobile Club of Milan Geronimo La Russa, the Secretary of the Automobile Club Italy Enzo Leanza, the Mayor of the Municipality of Lainate, Alberto Landonio. A procession of historic cars representing the different decades from 1924 to 2024, concluded the ceremony, parading a dedicated route from Villoresi Ovest.

Xavier Rossinyol, CEO of Avolta praised the significant milestone; “Autogrill has played a powerful role in history of redefining motorway experiences, in Italy and around the world. Avolta is proud of this legacy, and our commitment to making travelers happier, and passion for providing the best coffee and tastiest fresh meals for people on the move has only picked up momentum. Today we remember our early trailblazers and celebrate their vision and triumphs, and salute the Italian heart of our global company. Together, let’s continue on our path to redefining the travel experience on motorways for the future generations to come.”

“We are honored and proud to have been chosen to host the celebrations of the centenary of a strategic infrastructure for the country, the A8 motorway, to whose history and evolution Autogrill is deeply linked thanks to the presence of Villoresi Ovest, a sales point that since its birth has favored travel and encouraged tourist and commercial flows", commented Massimiliano Santoro, CEO Italy F&B of Avolta. “The Autostrada dei Laghi has been crucial for the development of mobility in our country and represents a symbol of progress and innovation, just like Autogrill’s Villoresi Ovest store, which has always been a point of reference for customers, making travelers happier for a century. Through Villoresi Ovest we have also activated important collaborations with local entities, active in the area such as the one with Cometa, engaged in the reception, education and training of children and young people in difficult situations".

Built in 1958 by architect Angelo Bianchetti, using cutting-edge design standards for the times, Villoresi is one of Autogrill's most iconic and representative sales points. Responding to the change in Italians' consumption patterns in the early 1960s, it is the symbol of Made in Italy modernism: subject to conservative reconstruction in 2020, its design, symbolizes the economic and industrial rebirth of the country after the Second World War.

Autogrill’s Villoresi Ovest is a place that has made history, earning the cover of Life magazine in 1961 as a symbol of modernity. Today the store is a true bridge between past and future: from its roots to the relaunch in 2020, as an icon of rebirth from the pandemic period, Villoresi Ovest represents the perfect combination of tradition and innovation. Inspired by the past, with an interior design that refers to Italian tradition, it looks to the future thanks to constant attention to sustainability and the circular economy, as well as an offer attentive to current tastes and trends.