Sodexo takes a majority shareholding in Fooditude

Sodexo has announced today that it has taken a majority shareholding in Fooditude. This represents a significant milestone for Sodexo in offsite food production and food, allowing the business to grow new digital-enabled and consumer-focused food services.

Fooditude produces high quality fresh food from a 20,000 sq ft central production unit in London that is delivered to corporate clients. Its client base is predominantly with media and technology organisations, with key clients including Netflix and Pinterest.

By investing in Fooditude, Sodexo is not only adding a successful food brand to its portfolio, it is also adding significant offsite food production, which will accelerate the rollout of delivery models, such as Good Eating Company Delivered, launched in August 2020.

The acquisition forms part of Sodexo’s global and regional strategy to develop new, more flexible foodservice models, responding to accelerated trends in consumer demand. Sodexo UK has also recently partnered with foodservice technology provider Dynamify to develop an app-based digital retail platform to support the growing trend for a contactless food experience.

Julie Ennis, CEO, corporate services for Sodexo UK and Ireland, said: “Last week we launched Vital Spaces, a bringing together of our diverse expertise to help our clients transform their workplaces with a connected, people-centric approach. Our investment in Fooditude is an exciting step in the evolution of Vital Spaces and the transformation of our food services in the UK and Ireland. Fooditude is a well-established and dynamic food brand, putting food right at the heart of employee experience.

“The world is changing at pace, and it is imperative that we have the right brands, production capability and digital solutions to deliver the best food services in the market, across all sectors. Using the insight gained from our research, we will work closely with Fooditude grow and expand their business and, importantly, we will use their production capabilities and delivery model to support our growth.”

Founders Dean and Sam Kennett will retain shares in the company and will continue to operate the business under the Fooditude brand alongside their existing team.

Dean Kennett added: “I couldn’t be happier about our decision to join forces with Sodexo to bring the Fooditude brand to new audiences across the UK and beyond. We have ambitious plans for growth after 15 successful years as a premium workplace caterer to London’s most forward-thinking businesses and partnering with Sodexo will accelerate those plans.

“Our partnership with Sodexo is a good fit for us and will ensure our success as we seek to develop new opportunities together.”