SODEXHO USA LAUNCHES COMPREHENSIVE ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

GAITHERSBURG, MD, March 15, 2005 - Sodexho USA, the nation's leading food and facilities management provider, has launched its English as a Second Language (ESL) Sed de Saber program for all Spanish-speaking frontline employees.

According to the Urban Institute, learning English is the single most critical factor in workforce advancement. “Language challenges can lead to frustration and low productivity for our employees,” said Richard Macedonia, CEO of Sodexho USA. “As an early adopter of the Sed de Saber program, we can help our employees advance in their careers through this simple, easy-to-use program that is more effective than traditional classroom instruction.”

The Sed de Saber program, developed by Newport Beach, California-based Retention Education, LLC, uses interactive Quantum LeapPad technology that includes curriculum emphasizing comprehension of contextual words, phrases and situations specific to the foodservice and hospitality industries. The LeapPads allow students to hear and repeat words and phrases in English that is recorded and then played back. The program can be used at home, at the employee's own pace and convenience, and can be completed in less than six months.

More than 100 Sodexho USA employees from California, Arizona, Texas, Massachusetts and Washington, D.C. are participating in the initial stage of the rollout which will eventually be offered to all frontline employees.

Sed de Saber is now part of Sodexho's comprehensive workforce development initiative designed to provide employees with the skills needed to better serve clients and customers. Employees receive a certificate and a cash award from the company for completing the Sed de Saber program.

“We have a vested interest in the success of our employees,” said Macedonia. “As the demographics of our workforce continue to change, we are concentrating on developing our employees for advancement opportunities -- not just for better jobs, but for careers.”

Sodexho USA (www.sodexhoUSA.com) is the leading provider of food and facilities management in the United States, with $6 billion in annual revenue and 110,000+ employees. Sodexho USA offers innovative outsourcing solutions in food service, housekeeping, grounds keeping, plant operations and maintenance, asset management, and laundry services to more than 6,000 corporations, health care, long term care and retirement centers, schools, college campuses, military and remote sites in North America. Headquartered in Gaithersburg, MD, Sodexho USA proudly serves as the official food service provider for the US Marine Corps.