Elior Increases Its Ownership Interest in Areas to 100%

Regulatory News:

Elior (Paris:ELIOR), one of the world's leading operators in the contracted food and support services industry, has today increased its ownership interest in Areas to 100%, strengthening the Group’s position as a global player in the concession catering market.

As announced on April 30, 2015, Elior has acquired the 38.45% minority interest held by Corporacion Empresarial Emesa ("Emesa”) in its Spanish subsidiary, Areas. As a result of the acquisition, Elior now owns the entire capital of Areas.

In connection with this transaction, Emesa received a cash payment of €46 million as well as 9 million Elior shares (1,282,500 shares held in treasury and 7,717,500 newly-issued shares). It has therefore become a significant shareholder in Elior, holding 5.22% of the Company’s capital.

At Elior’s Annual Shareholders’ Meeting to be held in 2016, the Company’s shareholders will be asked to approve a proposal for Emesa to become a member of Elior’s Board of Directors as from the close of the meeting.

With a workforce of 9,670 employees, Areas manages over 1,100 outlets in concession spaces such as airports, highway service plazas, train stations, shopping centers, exhibition venues and central city locations. Over 45 years, Areas has developed a strong network in 7 countries. In Spain, Areas is the leading operator of food and beverage services and retail establishments on motorways and in airports, including Madrid Barajas airport. In the United States, Areas has steadily strengthened its position since it won its first contract in 2006. It is now present in 10 airports, including Chicago and Los Angeles, and is the second largest operator on motorways, managing service plazas on both the Maryland and Florida turnpikes. In 2014, Areas generated revenue of €659 million.

The transaction will allow the Group to combine its European concession assets and teams in order to create a global player in the market and to extract significant operational, commercial and cost synergies. The new streamlined organization will benefit from strong multi-local expertise, an offering built on tailored and innovative concepts, and a unique portfolio of in-house and franchised brands.

In case of discrepancy between the French and the English version of this press release, the French version shall prevail.

About Elior

Founded in 1991, Elior has grown into one of the world's leading operators in the contracted food and support services industry, generating revenue of €5,341 million in FY 2013-2014 through 18,000 restaurants and points of sale in 13 countries. Driven by an unwavering commitment to excellence, our 106,000 passionately professional employees provide personalized catering and service solutions on a daily basis to 3.8 million customers in the business & industry, education, healthcare, leisure and travel markets, taking genuine care of each and every person they serve. We place particular importance on corporate social responsibility and have been a member of the United Nations Global Compact since 2004. Our corporate philosophy – which is centered on quality and innovation as well as responsible relations with others and the community at large – is reflected in our motto: "Because the whole experience matters".

For further information please visit our website : www.elior.com or follow us on Twitter @Elior_France/@Elior_Group

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