Sodexho Named One of Best Companies for Hispanics

GAITHERSBURG, Md., October 9, 2007 - Sodexho, the nation's leading provider of integrated food and facilities management services, was recognized by Hispanic Business magazine as a "Diversity Elite 60" company. The annual list measures companies' commitment to Hispanic hiring, promotion, marketing, philanthropy, and supplier diversity. According to the September issue, the top companies on this year's list went beyond workforce diversity initiatives and implemented strategies to reach more Hispanic consumers and increase their business with minority and Hispanic-owned suppliers.

"We are very proud of Sodexho's long-standing commitment to diversity in the workplace," said Rohini Anand, global chief diversity officer and senior vice president for Sodexho. "We are dedicated to fostering a business culture that provides an inclusive work environment for all employees. The diversity of our employees, their backgrounds, education, perspectives, talents, and skills, is key to the overall organization's success in providing excellent customer service to diverse markets across the country.”

Sodexho's diversity efforts have received broad recognition. Most recently, Sodexho has been recognized by LATINA Style magazine as one of the "50 Best Companies for Latinas to Work For in the U.S." Additionally, Sodexho was recognized earlier this year by Hispanic Trends magazine as one of the "Top 50 Corporations for Supplier Diversity."

Sodexho, Inc. (www.sodexhoUSA.com) is the leading provider of integrated food and facilities management services in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, with $7.3 billion (USD) in annual revenue and 125,000 employees. Sodexho serves more than ten million customers daily in corporations, health care, long term care and retirement centers, schools, college campuses, government and remote sites. Sodexho, Inc., headquartered in Gaithersburg, Md., is a subsidiary of Sodexho Alliance (www.sodexho.com). Sodexho, Inc. funds the Sodexho Foundation (www.helpstophunger.org), an independent charitable organization that, since its founding in 1999, has made more than $9.2 million in grants to fight hunger in America.