Fundamentals

Sodexo is the community of its clients, consumers, employees and shareholders. We recognize that the best way to respond to the expectations of all of our stakeholders is through steady growth. We also believe it is important that our work is meaningful to all who contribute to it and thus we remain faithful to our mission, our core values and the ethical principles that have guided us since 1966.

45 years of continuous growth

Founded by Pierre Bellon in 1966, Sodexo developed from a small family business in Marseilles, France into the worldwide leader in quality of daily life services in four decades. The recipe for our success is well known: our focus on organic growth, our client-centered approach and a unique company culture shared by all our employees.


From “Sodexho” to “Sodexo”

In 1966, Pierre Bellon founded the company under the name “Sodexho” (for Société d’Exploitation Hôtelière”). In 2000, the name of the company changed to “Sodexho Alliance” as it had made three major acquisitions to strengthen its international network (Gardner Merchant in the United Kingdom, Partena in the Scandinavian countries and Marriott Management Services in North America). The word “Alliance” was then dropped in 2006 and, in 2008, Sodexho simplified the spelling of its name to “Sodexo”.

  • Tour de France

    Tour de France

    Pierre Bellon founds Sodexho, a company specializing in providing Foodservices to institutions, businesses, schools and hospitals, in Marseilles (France).
  • 1967

    Royal Ascot

  • Olympic and Paralympic Games

    Olympic and Paralympic Games

  • Rugby World Cup

    Rugby World Cup 

  • Roland Garros

    Roland Garros

2012-2013 HIGHLIGHTS

Discover in 3 minutes Sodexo’s Quality of Life services, its commitments, its achievements, and the Fiscal 2013 key figures.
Download the Fiscal 2013 fact sheet