With a shared aim of expanding into the workplace dining market in metropolitan areas - London and Dublin in particular - The Good Eating Company will continue to operate independently, with Sodexo providing development and resource support.
Headed by existing chairman John Harris and managing director, Carlos Mistry, The Good Eating Company’s finance director Rob Linder, who played a “key role” in the acquisition, has now retired after 45 years working in the industry.
Supporting The Good Eating Company as it “continues to focus on delivering innovative food solutions,” Sodexo will in return “benefit from a new premium, food-only offer to sit alongside its existing integrated facilities management offer, which will help strengthen its position in the corporate market.”
David Bailey, chief executive of corporate services at Sodexo UK & Ireland said: “We are really excited to have the Good Eating Company join the Sodexo Group; their ethos and passion for food is a perfect fit for Sodexo. We value everything John and Carlos have created and respect the different approach they have to delivering fabulous food.
"We continue to build a stronger food offer which integrates into our provision and that meets the requirements of organisations looking for an IFM solution but we acknowledge that some clients want a more boutique-style offering tailored to the needs of the client with food at the heart, and only food. This is where GEC excels and we are looking forward to being a part of their future success.”
John Harris, chairman of The Good Eating Company added: “We are passionate about food and that is what our highly skilled people do best, that will never change. Sodexo is a large organisation with a strong heritage in food, and by becoming the new owners of The Good Eating Company it is making a statement within the industry and beyond, that it is committed to the highest values in food. This move will enable us together to take the next step in this exciting journey.