Profitable and responsible growth over the long term
Since 1966, Sodexo’s mission has been to improve the quality of life of our employees and those we serve, and contribute to the economic, social and environmental progress in the communities where we operate. These foundations have enabled the Group to achieve sustainable and profitable growth which provides continuous development opportunities to its employees.
- 1966 Sodexo founded by Pierre Bellon.
- 1967 First multi-service contract for the management of CNES (French Space Agency) in Guyana.
- 1975 Opening of Food services in schools and hospitals.
- 1976 First meal voucher.
- 1983 Initial public offering on the Paris Stock Exchange.
- 1987 The Group is structured in line with its internationalization with the emergence of client segments.
- 1992 Creation of the Sodexo Management Institute.
- 1995 Acquisitions of Gardner Merchant (UK) and Partena (Sweden).
- 1996 Creation of Stop Hunger.
- 1998 Creation of the European Works Council.
- 1998-2001 Acquisition of Mariott Management Services (U.S.).
- 2000-2005 Launch of new Facilities Management, vouchers and card services.
- 2004 Sodexo’s commitment to business integrity and ethics with the publication of its Code of conduct.
- 2000-2010 Rapid international expansion: acquisitions of Sogeres and Score (France), Wood Dining Services, Circles, Zehnacker (Germany), RKHS Group (India), VR (Brazil).
- 2009 Implementation of the first corporate responsibility roadmap, Better Tomorrow.
- 2010-2020 Development of integrated services, particularly for key global accounts.
- 2016 Appointment of Sophie Bellon as Chairwoman of the Board of Directors.
- 2017 Renewal of corporate responsibility commitments (Better Tomorrow 2025).
- 2018 Sodexo becomes a leader in the Sports & Leisure segment globally with the acquisition of Centerplate.
- 2019 Sodexo begins refocusing on activities and countries with greater market potential.
- 2020 Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Sodexo faces an unprecedented decline in business, significantly impacting its financial performance, share value and workforce. Nevertheless, the Group demonstrates its resilience and the relevance of its business model.
- 2022 Sodexo’s activity returns to pre-Covid levels by the year-end. Following her appointment as Chairwoman and CEO, Sophie Bellon launches a strategic plan designed to accelerate growth by 2025.
- 2024 Marking a milestone in the Group's history, Sodexo completes in early 2024 the spin-off and listing of its Benefits & Rewards Services activity, renamed Pluxee, which now operates independently. Sodexo also sells Sofinsod to Bellon SA, simplifying its shareholder structure.
