Acquisition

Compass Group PLC
01 March 2004

 Compass Group first international company to provide railway catering in China

1 March 2004

Compass Group's operating company Rail Gourmet has entered a 15-year joint
venture with the Shanghai Railway Administration for the provision of station
and onboard catering services. Rail Gourmet holds a majority share in the
company, which marks the first time a non-Chinese company will be providing
passenger services on the Chinese Railways.

The new company, Shanghai Rail Gourmet Company Limited, will commence on 18
April 2004, serving approximately 2,500 meals per day on four newly designed
high-speed trains linking Shanghai and Beijing. The agreement provides for an
expansion of these services to other train services and railway stations within
the Shanghai Railway network.

Michael J. Bailey, Chief Executive, Compass Group, said: 'We are delighted to be
taking this significant first step in expanding Rail Gourmet's services into
China with our joint venture partner. Considering the high volume of passenger
traffic on Chinese rail networks and the very limited food service currently
provided, there is tremendous market potential for catering services not just on
board trains but also on railway stations in Shanghai and throughout China.'

Compass Group entered Greater China in 1994, and today employs over 3000 people
serving customers through all of the company's foodservice divisions, including
Business and Industry; Education; Heathcare; Defence, Offshore and Remote; and
Concessions. Recently announced business wins and extensions in China and Hong
Kong include Meilan Airport on Hainan Island in the South China Sea; an
expansion of services at Hong Kong Airport; and business and industry catering
for employees of Philips MDS, General Electric, and PSA Peugeot-Citroen. These,
combined with previously awarded contracts, such as The Shanghai American School
and The International School Of Beijing contracts, bring the total number of
contracts operated in China and Hong Kong to over 150.

Enquiries:

Compass Group PLC                     [phone]
Sarah Ellis
Director of Investor Relations

Brunswick Group Ltd                   [phone]
Timothy Grey

Note:

Compass Group is the world's largest foodservice company with annual revenues in
excess of £11 billion. Compass Group has over 400,000 employees working in more
than 90 countries around the world. For more information, visit
www.compass-group.com




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