Re Contract

Compass Group PLC
19 February 2001



19 February 2001



                              COMPASS GROUP PLC



SELECT SERVICE PARTNERS (SSP) WINS £65M FOODSERVICE CONTRACT AT RENO/TAHOE
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Compass Group PLC is pleased to announce that its subsidiary, Select Service
Partner (SSP), has been awarded, by The Airport Authority of Washoe County,
Reno, Nevada, the foodservice contract to run all of the food and beverage
concessions at Reno/Tahoe International Airport.

This contract will run for a period of 10 years from 1 October 2001 with a
turnover of £65 million for the contract period.  SSP will be feeding more
than 15,000 passengers who pass through the airport on a daily basis, in
addition to the 2,000 employees and tenants based at the airport.

As part of the contract, SSP will operate a local bar concept known as Brew
Brothers, a top producing brewpub in North America. SSP will also offer a
range of international foodservice brands including some of Compass Group's
own brands such as Ritazza coffee and Upper Crust.

Commenting on the contract win, Michael J Bailey, Chief Executive, said: 'We
are delighted to be expanding further our presence in North America and our
international portfolio of airport catering contracts.  SSP now operates in 20
countries with concessions at over 70 airports, including Heathrow, New York,
Hong Kong, Detroit, Paris, Toronto and Sydney.'

Enquiries:

Nick Lyon / Wendy Baker
Tel: [phone]
Hudson Sandler

Notes to editors:

Compass Group is the world's leading foodservice organization with over
250,000 employees in more than 80 countries and annual foodservice revenues in
excess of £7.3 billion.  We specialize in providing foodservice facilities for
clients and their customers, based at their own locations, including major
employers, educational establishments, hospitals, leisure venues, retail
locations and at major airports and stations through the USA, Europe,
Scandinavia and developing markets in Asia and South America.

With our unique sector-focused approach and a portfolio of world-leading
foodservice brands we are in an ideal position to capitalize on the trend
towards outsourcing of food and related services.

SSP is the leading global operator of airport restaurants. It operates in 20
countries with concessions at over 70 airports, including Heathrow, Hong Kong,
Copenhagen, Paris, Manchester, and Sydney.

The Reno/Tahoe International Airport provides 86 daily departures to more than
50 North American markets. Its total annual economic impact to the Reno/Tahoe
area is in excess of $3.24 billion.

Compass Group, North American division has annual revenues of $3.2 billion and
employs more than 86,000 people throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Compass Group is the Official Catering Services Supplier for the 2002 Olympic
and Paralympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City. Compass Group will provide
catering and concession services to the 3,500 residents of the Olympic Village
as well as more than 125,000 people daily during the Olympic Winter Games,
including members of the worldwide media, judges and officials.

Further information on the Group can be found at www.compass-group.com