Completion of Sale

4 February 2003

COMPASS GROUP PLC: COMPLETION OF SALE OF TRAVELODGE & LITTLE CHEF
TO PERMIRA FUNDS

Compass Group today confirms the successful completion of the sale of Travelodge and Little Chef to TLLC Limited, a
company formed on behalf of funds advised by Permira, a leading international private equity firm, for a total cash
consideration of £712 million on a debt and cash free basis. 

Proceeds will be used to reduce borrowings and fund an on market share buy back programme of up to £300 million.

Ends

Enquiries

Tim Grey / Simon Sporborg       Brunswick              020 7404 5959       

Notes to Editors

1.      Compass Group is the world's largest foodservice company with annual foodservice revenues in excess of £10bn.
Compass Group has over 360,000 employees working in more than 90 countries around the world providing foodservice and
hospitality.  For more information visit www.compass-group.com
2.      Permira is one of the largest private equity specialists in Europe. As an independent business, Permira is
owned and controlled by its partners. The firm's team of over 100, based in Frankfurt, London, Milan, Paris and New
York advises the Permira Funds with a total committed capital of Euro 6 billion. Since 1985, the Permira Funds have
completed over 260 private equity transactions. During the last three years, the Permira Funds have made 15
acquisitions with a combined transaction value of over Euro 10 billion. There are about 67,000 people employed by
businesses backed by the Permira Funds.
3.      Travelodge is the second largest operator in the UK budget hotel sector, providing over 12,000 rooms in 220
hotels located on Britain's trunk road and motorway network and major city centres.
4.      Little Chef is the largest roadside restaurant chain in Britain with 368 outlets on the trunk road network and
29 on the motorway network, including 5 sites in Ireland.  Every year, more than 30 million people eat at Little Chef
restaurants.  Over the past year, Compass Group has successfully piloted a brand development programme for Little Chef,
extending its offering through the introduction of brands including Harry Ramsden's.