Sodexo holds revenue flat as underlying profit falls to €810m
The contract caterer's UK and Ireland arm points to new wins, the Olive Catering deal and its Shift & Grow 2030 plan.
Sodexo reported revenue of €23.96bn for the year to 31 August 2026, against €24.07bn a year earlier, with organic growth of 2%, Hospitality & Catering News reports.
The numbers - Underlying operating profit: €810m, down from €1.14bn in fiscal 2025. - Underlying operating margin: 3.4%. - Fiscal 2027 outlook confirmed at 2% to 3% organic revenue growth.
The UK and Ireland story: chief executive Jean Renton framed the year around Shift & Grow 2030, the division's growth strategy, and said clients now want fresh thinking and partners who understand their problems.
Wins and renewals: new contracts with Homerton University Hospital and George Watson's College, alongside deeper relationships with Transport for London, the Scottish Parliament and HM Naval Base Portsmouth.
M&A: the acquisition of Olive Catering strengthens the food portfolio and brings in new clients.
What it means for operators: a margin of 3.4% shows how thin contract catering economics are at scale, even for the biggest player. Growth is coming from winning and expanding contracts rather than price, so expect sharper competition for workplace, education and healthcare business, and more bolt-on deals for specialist caterers with strong food credentials.
Source: Hospitality & Catering News (opens in a new tab)
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