Our history
We can trace our roots back over 60 years.
The many businesses that have joined Compass Group since then have contributed to our rich heritage and shaped the personality of our business today. Whilst we have come a long way from these humble beginnings to become the international business we are now, the commitment of our people to our customers, the quality of our service and our spirit of innovation remain a constant and ongoing feature of our development.
Pre-1980
-
1941
Group founded in the UK as 'Factory Canteens Ltd' -
1967
Bateman & Midland Catering acquired by Grand Metropolitan and eventually merged as Grand Met Catering Services
1980-1989
-
1984
Grandmet Catering re-launched as Compass Contract Services -
1987
Management buy out the contract services division of Compass Services from Grand Metropolitan and form the new Compass Group -
1988
Compass Group PLC listed on the London Stock Exchange
1990-1999
-
1992
Letheby & Christopher and Travellers Fare join Compass Group -
1993
Acquire Select Service Partner (then SAS Service Partner) -
1994
Canteen Vending acquired -
1995
Acquire Eurest International from Accor
Joint venture with RKHS (India) -
1996
Eurest France acquired -
1997
Compass Southern Africa created through joint venture with KKS -
1998
Join FTSE 100 index
Restaurant Associates in the USA join the Group -
1999
GR SA, joint venture formed in Brazil
Compass Group in Australia established
2000-2009
-
2000
Merger with Granada Group creating Granada:Compass
Partnership with Levy Restaurants announced -
2001
Demerger of Granada:Compass and the newly separate Compass Group joins the London Stock Exchange
Sale of Forte Hotels division
Acquired Morrison Management Specialists and Crothall (USA)
ADNH, joint venture in the Middle East formed
Selecta Group acquired -
2002
Acquired Seiyo Foods (now Seiyo Food-Compass Group) in Japan
Acquired Bon Appétit (USA) -
2003
Onama Group (Italy) acquired
Sale of Travelodge and Little Chef -
2005
Sale of Au Bon Pain (USA) -
2006
Appointment of Richard Cousins as Group Chief Executive
Sale of SSP (including Moto and Creative Host Services (USA)), European Inflight and Rail Catering, Italian motorway services business, Restaurant Associates/Patina (USA), public restaurants business and Krispy Kreme (USA) -
2007
Sale of Selecta -
2008
Acquired remaining 50% of GR S.A. (Brazil)
Acquired Professional Services and Medi-Dyn (USA) -
2009
Acquired KIMCO Corporation (USA)
Acquired Plural Group (Germany)
2010-2014
-
2010
Group operating profit over £1 billion for the first time
Acquisitions in food and support services in Brazil, Canada, Denmark, France, India, UK and US -
2011
New reporting regions and management structure introduced (North America, Europe & Japan, Fast Growing & Emerging)
£500 million share buyback announced -
2012
Organic revenue growth of over 5%
Appointment of Dominic Blakemore as Group Finance Director
£400 million share buyback announced -
2013
Group operating margin over 7% for the first time
£500 million share buyback announced -
2014
Appointment of Paul Walsh as Non-Executive Chairman
£1 billion special dividend announced
Our sectors
The world of Compass
-
North America
-
Europe & Japan
-
Latin America
-
C. Asia, M. East, Africa, Turkey
-
Asia Pacific
-
Defence, Offshore & Remote