Update on Offer

Compass Group PLC
22 January 2002

22 January 2002

Compass Group PLC
UPDATE ON OFFER FOR SEIYO FOOD SYSTEMS, INC. -
50.1% ACCEPTANCE CONDITION EXCEEDED

Offer Remains Open Until Close of Business in Japan on 29 January 2002

Compass Group is delighted to confirm that it has been advised that the total
of the Compass Group, Saison Network Inc. and Seibu Department Stores, Ltd.
shareholdings, and shares tendered under the offer represents 56.8% of the
issued share capital of Seiyo - which is in excess of the 50.1% acceptance
condition.

The offer will remain open for acceptances and withdrawals up to and
including the close of business in Japan on Tuesday 29 January 2002.




ENDS

Enquiries:
Timothy Grey
Brunswick Group
Tel:  [phone]
Simon Sporborg
Tel:  [phone]

Notes to editors

1.  Compass Group cash tender offer for Seiyo:  On 11 December 2001, Compass
Group PLC announced the launch of a cash tender offer to acquire all the issued
share capital of Seiyo.  Compass Group also entered into an agreement with
Seiyo for Compass to subscribe for 27.5% of Seiyo's enlarged equity.  Seiyo's
two largest shareholders, Saison Network Inc. and Seibu Department Stores,
Ltd., together representing 13.5% of the enlarged equity of Seiyo indicated
their support for the offer.  Compass has been informed by its tender offer
agents, The Nomura Securities Co., Ltd. and Goldman Sachs (Japan) Ltd., that as
of the close of business on 21 January 2002, ordinary shares representing 15.8%
of the issued share capital of Seiyo have been tendered.  The total of the
Compass Group, Saison Network Inc. and Seibu Department Stores, Ltd.
shareholdings, and shares tendered under the offer represents 56.8% of the
issued share capital of Seiyo.

2.  Compass Group is the world's largest foodservice company employing over
300,000 people in over 90 countries and with annual revenues in excess of
£9bn.  Compass Group provides foodservice for clients including major
employers, educational establishments, hospitals, leisure venues, retail
locations and at major airports and stations throughout USA, Europe, and
developing markets in Asia and South America.  It operates through sector-
specific subsidiaries such as Eurest, the world's largest specialist in
providing foodservice to business and industry clients, and Select Service
Partner, the European market leader in foodservice at airport restaurants and
rail stations.  Further information on the Group can be found at www.compass-
group.com

3.  Seiyo:  Founded in 1947, Seiyo is based in Tokyo and manages 343 contract
outlets for clients and operates 241 concession outlets throughout Japan.
Seiyo has announced its intention to sell its CASA high street restaurants
operating division.

The Offer is not being made, directly or indirectly, in or into, or by use of
the mails or by any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce of, or by
any facilities of a national securities exchange of, the United States, nor
will it be made in or into Canada or Australia.  Accordingly, copies of this
announcement and any offer documents are not being, and must not be mailed or
otherwise distributed or sent in, into or from, the United States, Canada or
Australia.

The contents of this press announcement have been approved by Goldman Sachs
International solely for the purposes of section 21(2)(b) of the Financial
Services and Markets Act 2000.  Goldman Sachs International is acting for
Compass Group PLC and for no-one else in connection with the Offer and will not
be responsible to any other person for providing the protections afforded to
clients of Goldman Sachs International or for providing advice in relation to
the Offer or the contents of this announcement.  Goldman Sachs International
can be contacted at Peterborough Court, 133 Fleet Street, London EC4A 2BB.





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