Sodexo becomes a leading player in Sports & Leisure globally with the acquisition of Centerplate

PARIS, and GAITHERSBURG, Md., and LONDON, Nov. 15, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Sodexo, world leader in Quality of Life services, and Olympus Partners announced today that Sodexo has signed an agreement to acquire Centerplate, Inc. a provider of food and beverage, merchandise and hospitality services at sports facilities, convention centers and entertainment facilities in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Spain, for 675 million US dollars from Olympus Partners.

Tracing its roots to 1929, with executive offices in Stamford, Connecticut, Centerplate, Inc. is the fourth largest operator by revenues in the United States Sports & Leisure market, the largest market globally. Centerplate serves stadiums and arenas, annually hosting more than 116 million guests across its portfolio of premier venues for marquee events, including 14 Super Bowls, 36 U.S. Presidential Inaugural Balls, All-Star and Championship games for professional football, baseball, basketball, hockey, soccer, collegiate athletics, and many of North America's largest conventions. Centerplate's last twelve month revenues to June 2017 were 998 million US dollars. For reference, Sodexo's Fiscal Year 2016 revenues for the Sports & Leisure segment were 903 million euro.

This acquisition substantially strengthens Sodexo's position in the North American market, and brings the Group's Sports & Leisure business to scale in the region.  In the UK, the acquisition supports Sodexo's strategy to grow its stadia and cultural destination portfolio. The acquisition also positions Sodexo as a leading player in Sports & Leisure globally, more than doubling its footprint. 

The combined entity will benefit from significant synergies gradually ramping-up from the first year. The acquisition is expected to be mildly accretive to earnings from Fiscal 2018.

Chris Verros, CEO of Centerplate, will lead the new combined business in the United States. Centerplate's European operations will be integrated into Sodexo's existing Sports & Leisure business in the region. 

The acquisition is subject to customary regulatory approvals and is expected to be closed by end-2017.

Pierre Henry, Vice-President of the Group Executive Committee and CEO Sports & Leisure Worldwide for Sodexo, said: "This acquisition is another step in our long-term strategy to become a leading player in every market in which we are present. Centerplate is an ideal partner with highly professional, dedicated teams who bring a wealth of industry expertise. We look forward to working together with Centerplate to bring exceptional Quality of Life experiences to tens of thousands of fans and spectators around the world."

Chris Verros, Centerplate CEO said: "With Sodexo, we share the same vision to deliver a unique and memorable service for our clients and guests through our tailored food and beverage programs, unique hospitality design, rewarding event and retail services. Centerplate's clients will benefit from Sodexo's global capabilities, solution innovations, other on site services and geographic reach."

Note: Sodexo publishes its 2017 Results on 16 November, 7am CET. Until that time Sodexo is in quiet period and cannot comment on the Centerplate acquisition beyond the information in this press release and the associated slide deck.

About Sodexo

Founded in 1966 by Pierre Bellon, Sodexo is the global leader in services that improve Quality of Life, an essential factor in individual and organizational performance. Operating in 80 countries, Sodexo serves 75 million consumers each day through its unique combination of On-site Services, Benefits and Rewards Services and Personal and Home Services. Through its more than 100 services, Sodexo provides clients an integrated offering developed over 50 years of experience: from food services, reception, safety, maintenance and cleaning, to facilities and equipment management; from Meal Pass, Gift Pass and Mobility Pass benefits for employees to in-home assistance, child care centers and concierge services. Sodexo's success and performance are founded on its independence, its sustainable business and financial model and its ability to continuously develop and to engage the commitment of its 425,000 employees throughout the world.

Sodexo is a member of the CAC 40 and DJSI Indices.

About Centerplate

Centerplate is a global leader in live event hospitality, "Making It Better To Be There®" for more than 116 million guests each year at prominent entertainment, sports and convention venues across North America, Europe and the United Kingdom. Centerplate has provided event hospitality services to 36 official U.S. Presidential Inaugural Balls, 14 Super Bowls and 22 World Series. Visit the company online at Centerplate.com, connect via Twitter @Centerplate, Instagram @Centerplate_ or Facebook.com/Centerplate.

SOURCE Sodexo

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