Host makes second acquisition in two months with Juice for Life deal
Contract caterer Host has made its second acquisition in two months with the purchase of Juice for Life (trading as OJ's), an operator of retail catering contracts in the leisure sector.
Juice for Life was set up in 1994 by Julian and Caroline Davis Smith and, under the OJ's brand, manages and operates coffee bars, juice bars, restaurants and function services for corporate clients, councils and charitable trusts, including nine local authority leisure centres.
Host declined to reveal how much it had paid for the business, but it will bring £2m-worth of turnover to the firm, giving it an annualised turnover of £25m.
"This purchase gives us another credible lift in the market to enable the company to compete in the sector effectively. Juice for Life, with its strong OJ's brand, takes Host into another new market, which gives us a solid base from which to win further contracts," said Host CEO Bill Toner (pictured).
Juice for Life managing director Julian Davis Smith becomes managing director of Host's leisure sector business. He said: "I am delighted to be working with Bill and the team at Host. The deal will bring new opportunities for OJ's with Host's resources enabling the company to build on its successes to date, while maintaining the strong brand values it has built on over the past few years."
News of the Juice for Life acquisition follows last month's purchase by Host of upmarket contract caterer Couture, which runs the catering services at a number of prestigious heritage sites as well as B&I contracts and two leading film studios.
Host was founded in 2004 by entrepreneur Jerry Brand. Former Aramark UK chief executive Bill Toner took over as chief executive of the company in May 2011, having joined in November 2010 as non-executive chairman.
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By Neil Gerrard
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