This acquisition will provide TrustHouse Services, the US contract catering subsidiary of Elior Group, with an additional portfolio of nearly 200 corrections and higher education clients and will grant ABL Management access to the expertise, resources and economic strength of a global organization. ABL Management generated revenues of around $60m in 2014 and has 800 employees.

Philippe Salle, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Elior Group, stated: “I am pleased to welcome ABL Management to the Group. Its strong client portfolio and its remarkable expertise are reinforcing our group’s capabilities to better cater to both educational environments. This acquisition is perfectly in line with the Group’s 2016-2020 strategic plan and Elior Group will continue to seize opportunities of such quality in the United States to achieve its ambitions to expand in the region in specific niche markets.”

“We pride ourselves on the touchpoints we have with our clients, many of whom we have worked with for decades,” said John Appleton, ABL President and founder. “In our markets, delivering high quality, nutritional options plays a crucial role in ensuring overall security and safety as it is often the primary area of interest for the clients we serve; and in the higher education market, culinary innovation remains the focal point. We look forward to sharing the TrustHouse Services culinary expertise with our clients.”

“ABL’s reputation for having a customer-centric focus aligns well with TrustHouse Services’ market-leading offerings in these segments,” said Brian Poplin, CEO of TrustHouse Services. “We welcome the 800 ABL employees and nearly 200 client accounts to the TrustHouse family; we plan to enhance the employee and customer experience through innovation and a commitment to exemplary service.”

Elior Group has been present in the US contract catering market since 2013, when it acquired TrustHouse Services Group. It currently employs 10,000 employees in the USA, in 47 states.