José Andrés’ ThinkFoodGroup and Compass Group USA Announce Exclusive Partnership
Acclaimed Restaurant and Foodservice Management Companies Join Forces to Extend Reach of Culinary Experiences
WASHINGTON, DC (April 12, 2017) – José Andrés’ ThinkFoodGroup and Compass Group USA today announced that they have formed an exclusive partnership, creating an unprecedented and unrivalled powerhouse of two best-in-class companies. The joint venture combines the culinary creativity of Chef Andrés and ThinkFoodGroup with the operational expertise of Compass Group USA, the nation’s foremost foodservice management company.
ThinkFoodGroup’s culinary, design, and operations teams will work directly with Compass to create unique concepts and reimagine what large-scale food and hospitality experiences can be, from museums and stadiums to campuses and corporate dining programs.
The three-year exclusive agreement will allow ThinkFoodGroup and Compass to partner within any current or prospective foodservice venues and collaborate from ideation to concept development to ongoing execution. ThinkFoodGroup already has experience working with several of Compass Group’s subsidiaries; thus, the overarching partnership is a natural progression of the relationship, as both parties realized the power in their synergy.
“With this partnership we have the opportunity to tell stories and connect with people through food on an entirely new level,” said Andrés, Chef/Owner of ThinkFoodGroup. “Whether it is a soccer game or a corporate or university café, we are excited to extend our reach, bringing new dining experiences and the highest quality to the many.”
“José’s contagious enthusiasm for food and people resonates within the Compass culture and we’re delighted to have the opportunity to work together,” said Gary Green, CEO Compass Group North America. “He brings a fresh and creative perspective across our business.”
Partnerships underway with Compass Group divisions include collaborations with Restaurant Associates for potential projects with museum institutions, with Bon Appétit Management for the expansion of ThinkFoodGroup’s fast casual restaurant, Beefsteak, and with Levy for concept creation at the upcoming new home stadium for DC United, Audi Field which opens in summer 2018.
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About José Andrés
Named one of Time’s “100 Most Influential People” and “Outstanding Chef” by the James Beard Foundation, José Andrés is an internationally-recognized culinary innovator, author, educator, television personality, humanitarian and chef/owner of ThinkFoodGroup. A pioneer of Spanish tapas in the United States, he is known for his avant-garde cuisine and his award-winning group of 27 restaurants throughout the country and beyond. His innovative minibar by José Andrés earned two Michelin stars in 2016 and with that, José is the only chef globally that has both a 2-star Michelin restaurant and 4 Bib Gourmands. Andrés’ work has earned numerous awards including the 2015 National Humanities Medal, one of 12 distinguished recipients of the award from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
About Compass Group
Based in Charlotte, NC, Compass Group is the leading foodservice management and support services company with $16 billion in revenues in 2016. Compass Group USA was named one of America’s 500 Best Employers by Forbes, ranking as the highest contract food and support services company. With over 500,000 associates worldwide, its parent company, UK-based Compass Group PLC, was named the 6th largest publicly traded employer in the world by USA Today and one of 50 Companies Changing the World by Fortune. Compass Group PLC had revenues of $28 billion in the fiscal year ending September 30, 2016.
CONTACT:
Katherine Hurd at Baltz & Co: [email protected]; 703-597-6705
Isabel Perrin at Baltz & Co: [email protected]; 571-309-5977
Veronica Ospina at Compass Group: [email protected]; 704-328-4291
Cheryl Queen at Compass Group: [email protected]; 704-328-4018