EXHIBIT 20
                                                                    PAGE 1 OF 3

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                                     FOR MORE INFORMATION:
                                     LORI CRAMP, V.P. & TREASURER
                                     (301) 380-4840
                                     WENDY WATKINS, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC RELATIONS
                                     (301) 380-7903



    HOST MARRIOTT SERVICES REPORTS 23% INCREASE IN THIRD QUARTER NET INCOME

         BETHESDA,  MD, SEPTEMBER 26, 1996 -- Host Marriott Services Corporation
today  reported net income for the third  quarter of 1996 of $15.0  million,  or
$0.42 per share,  an increase of 23% over net income of $12.2 million,  or $0.36
per share,  for the third quarter of 1995.  Earnings  before  interest  expense,
taxes,  depreciation,  amortization  and other non-cash items (EBITDA) was $48.1
million for the third  quarter of 1996,  an increase of 11% over EBITDA of $43.3
million  reported for the third quarter of 1995.  Revenues for the third quarter
of 1996  increased  by $24.9  million,  or 8%, to  $335.1  million  compared  to
revenues of $310.2 million in the third quarter of 1995.
         William W. McCarten,  President and Chief Executive Officer, noted, "In
what has  historically  been our strongest  quarter of the year, we continued to
deliver  outstanding  growth in both net income and EBITDA.  Favorable  industry
conditions and the beneficial  impact of our strategic  initiatives  have led to
solid revenue and earnings growth as well as improved margins. On a year-to-date
basis,  our performance has been excellent with sales up 11% and net income more
than  tripling.  We're very positive  about the outlook for the remainder of the
year."
         The company reported net income for the first three quarters of 1996 of
$13.4 million,  or $0.38 per share,  compared to net income of $4.3 million,  or
$0.13 per share,  for the first  three  quarters  of 1995.  EBITDA for the first
three quarters of 1996 grew to $88.8  million,  increasing by 13% over the $78.9
million of EBITDA posted over the comparable period in 1995.  Revenues increased
by 11% to  $885.2  million  for the first  three  quarters  of 1996 from  $800.1
million in 1995.
         Airport  concessions  revenues  grew by $27.8  million,  or 14%, in the
third  quarter of 1996.  Excluding  the effects of new  contracts  and contracts
undergoing  significant  construction of new facilities,  revenues at comparable
airport  locations grew by 14% in the quarter.  The increase in revenues for the
quarter  reflects  an  estimated  9% growth in  enplaning  passengers,  moderate
increases in menu prices,  the addition of new branded  locations,  and benefits
from other  strategic  initiatives.  Revenues from branded  concepts in airports
were $53.6 million in the third  quarter of 1996,  compared to $38.3 million for
the same quarter of 1995.
         Travel plaza revenues  declined  slightly by $1.7 million for the third
quarter of 1996 due  primarily to the  company's  exit from two minor  contracts
during 1995. Excluding the two exited contracts, travel plaza revenues increased
by 2% for the third  quarter  of 1996,  reflecting  minimal  traffic  growth and
moderate price  increases.  Operating  profit for the travel plaza business line
increased by 2% for the third quarter of 1996, reflecting effective cost control
initiatives.
         The company's  operating profit before corporate  expenses and interest
increased  by 15%,  to $45.5  million  for the third  quarter of 1996 from $39.6
million for the third quarter of 1995. The operating  profit margin  improved to
13.6% in the third  quarter  of 1996 from  12.8% for the same  quarter  of 1995.
Operating  profit  before  corporate  expenses and  interest  increased to $84.7
million for the first  three  quarters  of 1996 from $69.3  million in 1995,  an
increase of 22%. For the first three quarters of 1996,  the company's  operating
profit margin increased to 9.6% from 8.7% in the comparable period of 1995.
         During the third quarter,  the company  completed a lease  extension at
the  Ontario  Airport in  California,  opened two food courts at the Los Angeles
International  Airport,  and  commenced  food  and  beverage  operations  in the
domestic terminal at Cairns International Airport in Australia.

                                  - More -

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<PAGE>

                                                                    EXHIBIT 20
                                                                    PAGE 2 OF 3


ADD 2
HOST MARRIOTT SERVICES REPORTS 23% INCREASE IN THIRD QUARTER NET INCOME



         On December  29,  1995,  the  company  was spun off from Host  Marriott
Corporation.  The 1995  amounts  are  presented  on a pro forma basis to be more
consistent  with the 1996  amounts,  and assume that the  company  operated on a
separate basis,  independent of Host Marriott Corporation,  during 1995. The pro
forma  information  was derived from the  company's  1995  historical  operating
results which are not materially  different from the pro forma operating results
before an extraordinary item in 1995 related to the extinguishment of debt.
         Host  Marriott   Services   Corporation,   headquartered  in  Bethesda,
Maryland,  is the leading  operator and  developer of food,  beverage and retail
concessions  in over 70  airports,  on 13  tollroads  and at over 20 sports  and
entertainment  venues.  Many of the company's  concessions operate under license
agreements with branded partners such as Burger King,  Starbucks  Coffee,  Pizza
Hut, Chili's,  T.G.I.  Friday's,  Cinnabon,  TCBY,  Sbarro,  Taco Bell,  Cheers,
California Pizza Kitchen, Tie Rack and The Body Shop.
         Host  Marriott  Services  Corporation  is traded on the NYSE  under the
symbol HMS.

                                --Table Follows--

                                        23


<PAGE>
                                                                   EXHIBIT 20
                                                                   PAGE 3 OF 3

                        SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
             HOST MARRIOTT SERVICES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                         TWELVE WEEKS ENDED                       THIRTY-SIX WEEKS ENDED
                                                   SEPTEMBER 6,     SEPTEMBER 8,         SEPTEMBER 6,      SEPTEMBER 8,
(Unaudited, In millions, except per share              1996           1995 (1)               1996            1995 (1)
amounts)
------------------------------------------------- ---------------- ----------------- -- ----------------- ----------------
<S>                                                      <C>                <C>                  <C>             <C> 

REVENUES                                                 $ 335.1           $ 310.2              $ 885.2          $ 800.1
OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES
     Cost of sales                                         101.0              95.8                267.8            247.3
     Payroll and benefits                                   90.0              83.1                258.5            234.2
     Rent                                                   51.8              47.9                145.1            128.5
     Royalties                                               6.8               5.4                 16.8             13.8
     Depreciation and amortization                          12.8              13.9                 36.3             39.3
     Other                                                  27.2              24.5                 76.0             67.7
------------------------------------------------- ---------------- ----------------- -- ----------------- ----------------

       Total Operating Costs and Expenses                  289.6             270.6                800.5            730.8
------------------------------------------------- ---------------- ----------------- -- ----------------- ----------------

OPERATING PROFIT BEFORE
  CORPORATE EXPENSES AND INTEREST                           45.5              39.6                 84.7             69.3

     Corporate expenses                                    (11.2)            (11.5)               (35.1)           (33.5)
     Interest expense                                       (9.2)             (9.1)               (27.7)           (26.8)
     Interest income                                         0.8               0.5                  1.2              0.6
------------------------------------------------- ---------------- ----------------- -- ----------------- ----------------

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES                           25.9              19.5                 23.1              9.6
      Provision (benefit) for income taxes                  10.9               7.3                  9.7              5.3
------------------------------------------------- ---------------- ----------------- -- ----------------- ----------------

NET INCOME (LOSS)                                      $    15.0          $    12.2           $    13.4        $     4.3
------------------------------------------------- ---------------- ----------------- -- ----------------- ----------------

INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE
     Primary                                            $   0.42           $   0.36            $   0.38         $   0.13
     Fully-Diluted                                      $   0.42           $   0.36            $   0.38         $   0.13

Weighted Average Common Shares
     Outstanding
          Primary                                           35.2              34.0                 35.0             33.6
          Fully-Diluted                                     35.3              34.2                 35.1             33.9

EBITDA                                                  $   48.1          $   43.3             $   88.8         $   78.9
------------------------------------------------- ---------------- ----------------- -- ----------------- ----------------

REVENUES BY BUSINESS LINE
     Airports                                            $ 227.1           $ 199.3              $ 630.1          $ 540.1
     Travel Plazas                                          97.1              98.8                220.4            223.3
     Sports and Entertainment                               10.9              12.1                 34.7             36.7
------------------------------------------------- ---------------- ----------------- -- ----------------- ----------------

                                                         $ 335.1           $ 310.2              $ 885.2          $ 800.1
------------------------------------------------- ---------------- ----------------- -- ----------------- ----------------

OPERATING PROFIT BY BUSINESS LINE
     Airports                                           $   27.9          $   22.4             $   63.2         $   49.1
     Travel Plazas                                          16.3              16.0                 18.1             17.4
     Sports and Entertainment                                1.3               1.2                  3.4              2.8
------------------------------------------------- ---------------- ----------------- -- ----------------- ----------------

                                                        $   45.5          $   39.6             $   84.7       $     69.3
------------------------------------------------- ---------------- ----------------- -- ----------------- ----------------

<FN>

(1) Data  presented  on a pro  forma  basis  for  1995 as if the  Host  Marriott
Services spin-off and related transactions occurred at the beginning of 1995.
</FN>
</TABLE>
                                        24