Sodexho

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sodexho Alliance, or simply Sodexho, (Euronext: SW, NYSE: SDX) is a French multinational corporation and one of the largest foodservice companies in the world. It is present in seventy-six countries, earning revenue in 2004 of €11.245 billion.

It was founded in Marseille in 1966 by Pierre Bellon as the Societé d'Exploitation Hotelière. In English, this translates to "company that provides services used by hotels." Since 2003, it has been directed by Jean-Michel Dhenain and Michel Landel.

Sodexho notably operates cafeterias in companies, public agencies, institutions, schools, colleges, universities, hospitals, assisted-living facilities, corporate cafeterias, United States military messhalls, and even private prisons. The company's activities in private prisons and in schools have given rise to considerable controversy at over sixty US colleges and institutions. [1] The film Super Size Me criticized Sodexho's policies on child nutrition in their client schools, featuring Madison Junior High School in Naperville, Illinois. There has been at least one boycott of Sodexho, at the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London due to its partnerships with the US Military, low pay and poor working conditions.

[edit] History

Sodexho was launched by Pierre Bellon in 1966 in Marseille, initially serving staff restaurants, schools and hospitals. Throughout the 1970's, Sodexho expanded in France and internationally; first in Belgium, then Africa, and finally the Middle East. After an initial public offring on the Paris Bourse in 1983, Sodexho continued its expansion in the North America and South America, Japan, South Africa, and Russia.

Between 1995 and 2001, Sodexho's holding company changed its name to Sodexho Alliance, and the company forged alliances with Gardner Merchant, Partena, Sogeres, Wood Dining Services, and Universal Ogden Services. Sodexho Alliance became the leader in North American food and management services and remote site management (after a merger with Universal Ogden Services).

In recent years, Sodexho was listed on the New York Stock Exchange and Sodexho has focused on preparing the end of Pierre Bellon's leadership. New Chief Operating Officers were appointed in 2003 and a new Chief Executive Officer was appointed in 2005.[2]