History
Whilst still a relatively young company in our current form, Compass Group can trace its roots back over 60 years. The many businesses that have joined the Group since then have contributed to this rich heritage and shaped the personality of Compass as it stands 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 feature of the Group’s development and will continue to be going forward.
Here are just some of the notable dates in our history:
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1941 |
Group founded in the UK as ‘Factory Canteens Ltd’ |
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1960 |
Bateman & Midland Catering acquired by Grand Metropolitan and eventually merged as Grand Met Catering Services |
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1984 |
Grandmet Catering re-launched as Compass Contract Services |
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1987 |
Management buy out the contract services division of Compass Services from Grand Metropolitan and form the new Compass Group |
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1988 |
Compass Group PLC listed on the London Stock Exchange |
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1992 |
Letheby & Christopher and Travellers Fare join Compass Group |
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1993 |
Acquire Select Service Partner (then SAS Service Partner) |
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1994 |
Canteen Vending acquired |
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1995 |
Acquire Eurest International from Accor
Joint venture with RKHS (India) |
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1996 |
Eurest France acquired |
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1997 |
Compass Southern Africa created through joint venture with KKS |
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1998 |
Join FTSE 100 index
Restaurant Associates in the USA join the Group |
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1999 |
GRSA, joint venture formed in Brazil
Compass Group in Australia established |
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2000 |
Merger with Granada Group creating Granada:Compass
Partnership with Levy Restaurants announced |
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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 |
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2002 |
Acquired Seiyo Foods (now Seiyo Food-Compass Group) in Japan
Acquired Bon Appétit (USA) |
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2003 |
Onama Group (Italy) acquired
Sale of Travelodge and Little Chef |
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2005 |
Sale of Au Bon Pain (USA) |
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2006 |
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) |
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2007 |
Sale of Selecta |
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