Sodexho

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sodexho Alliance, or simply Sodexho, (Euronext: SW, NYSE: SDX) is a 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 current Chairman Pierre Bellon and current Vice Chairman Remi Baudin 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. Its U.S. operations are headed up by President and CEO, Richard Macedonia.

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 have been at least two boycotts of Sodexho, at the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London and American University in Washington D.C. due to its partnerships with the US Military, dealings with prisons, low pay, and poor working conditions.

[edit] History

Sodexho was launched by Pierre Bellon and Remi Baudin 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 offering 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, Michel Landel was appointed in 2005.

In the summer of 2006, the company made national headlines for inking a deal with NBA legend and business entrepreneur, Earvin Magic Johnson and Magic Food Provisions, a subsidiary of Magic Johnson Enterprises. The initiative includes a marketing agreement and the formation of SodexhoMagic, LLC - a new joint venture that is 51 percent owned by Johnson.

In January of 2007, Sodexho signed a landmark deal to become the new restaurant provider for the venerable St. Bartholomew’s Church in midtown Manhattan. This spring, Sodexho will develop a new sustainable concept for the restaurant at St. Bart’s, which includes indoor/outdoor facilities and catering services. [2]