Controlled by the Benetton family, the group has only a negligible exposure to Russia, it said in March.

Autogrill's subsidiary company HMSHost Russia has a highway outlet in Sochi in southern Russia and another in the airport in Saint Petersburg, according to its website.

A total of 4.1 million euros ($4.4 million), which represent 0.1% of the group's 2021 revenue, came in from Russia, the company reported in its latest annual report.

HMSHost Russia has a rouble account in "a Russian bank controlled by Intesa Sanpaolo", the company said in the same answer. The account balance stood at a little more than 2 million euros at the end of 2021.

It was not clear what stage the sale process had reached. Autogrill was not immediately available for further comment. ($1 = 0.9310 euros)

(Reporting by Francesco Zecchini; Editing by Keith Weir)