French lead contract catering in Europe

European contract catering is heavily dominated by the French, as the table comparing the turnover of leading contract caterers during 1994 shows.

Three French companies were ranked in the top four, and five were in the top 10. The UK, the next-most powerful national force in European contract catering, had three companies in the top 10.

Since the beginning of 1995 the French have become even stronger. When Sodexho swallowed Gardner Merchant it leapt from number three to number one, giving the French the top three positions.

As the pack shuffles up, another French company, Orly Restauration, moves into the top 10. This means the French have no less than six of the 10 largest contract caterers in Europe.

After Compass and Granada, the UK's next-biggest company is Catering & Allied, which is also now coming under the influence of the French, following its deal with Elior.