Restaurant Associates Venues folds into Company of Cooks as one specialist brand

Restaurant Associates Venues and its teams have joined Company of Cooks to create one specialist brand, The Caterer reports. The two venue hospitality caterers have been sister brands since Compass Group UK & Ireland acquired CH&Co in 2024.

The move: as Company of Cooks marks its 30th anniversary, the combined business will deliver food, drink and events for cultural, heritage and leisure destinations. Recent clients include Apothecaries' Hall in the City of London. The portfolio also covers sites such as the Royal Opera House and RHS Wisley, from cafés and restaurants to large-scale events.

The pitch: managing director Dirk Talsma said bringing the teams together strengthens operational expertise, culinary innovation and event sales, with more investment in people and client locations. Compass Workplace + Leisure CEO Matt Thomas said Company of Cooks sits alongside other distinctive brands in the division, and that clients and customers should see the difference through people and standards.

What it means for operators: multi-brand estates often consolidate when the market gets harder. Watch how Compass sells one specialist offer into museums, halls and attractions, and what that means for pitch lists and talent moves in venue catering.