A round-up of the latest news from the contract catering sector...
Sodexho to feed 210 schools in Marseilles for another seven years
The City of Marseilles has renewed a contract with Sodexho Alliance of France to cater at 210 public schools in the city. The seven-year contract, which starts in September, is worth €84m (£57m) in total turnover. Sodexho has catered for the city’s schools since 1992. Under the new deal, it will install 106 self-serviced units by 2009 and integrate food services with energy-saving and packaging-recycling initiatives to raise pupils’ awareness of balanced diets and waste sorting.
Charlton House wins Reading sealing system supplier from Eurest
Reading-based caterer Charlton House last week took over a contract from Eurest to supply breakfast and lunch for 400 employees at John Crane, a leading supplier of engineering sealing systems in Reading, Berkshire. The three-year contract, worth more than £200,000 in annual turnover, includes vending and hospitality services.
Sodexho takes on two secondary schools in Waltham Forest
Sodexho has started two five-year contracts that will turn over a combined £280,000 a year to provide meals for two secondary schools in Waltham Forest, London. It will cater for about 1,800 pupils across Kelmscott School in Walthamstow and Tom Hood School in Leytonstone. Both will incorporate Sodexho’s new "For You" service which combines healthier food options with regular redecoration of the canteen which has been adopted by 13 schools since its launch last September.
Brighton Centre chooses Crown Venue Catering as its sole caterer
Crown Venue Catering has been appointed sole caterer at the Brighton Centre, one of the UK’s largest multi-purpose centres that is earmarked for redevelopment. The contract, which will run for an initial 22 months, is worth £2.5m in annual turnover from venue hire, excluding catering and events. The centre’s main hall can accommodate more than 4,000 guests, while its meeting rooms, restaurants and sites can host events for between 10 to 750 guests.
Aramark boosts second quarter figures
Aramark Corporation of the US boosted sales by 12% to $2.5b (£1.4b) in the second quarter to 2 April, 2004. Income from continuing operations grew by 23% to $46.7m (£26.4m). Its US food and support services division increased sales by 9% to $1.7b (£960.5m), and operating income by 8% to $61.1m (£34.5m). At the international food and support services division, sales grew by 34% to $475m (£268.4m) and operating income 35% to $23.1m (£13.1)
by Angela Frewin
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