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