1.2 Our  History Pierre Bellon founds Sodexho, a company  specializing in providing foodservices to institutions,  businesses, schools and hospitals, in Marseilles  (France). 1966 1967 CNES, in French Guiana, awards Sodexho a contract  in the “multiservices” market, signaling its entry into  the remote site management business. International expansion starts with Belgium, Italy  and Spain, with developments in Africa and the  Middle East. A new business – Service Vouchers – is launched  in Belgium. 1971- 1978 1983 Initial public offering of Sodexho shares on the Paris  Bourse. Sodexho establishes operations in North and South  America, Japan, Russia and South Africa, and  reinforces its presence in Continental Europe. 1985- 1993 1995 Acquisitions of Gardner Merchant in the United  Kingdom and Partena in Sweden, the then leaders  in foodservices in their respective countries. The Service Vouchers and Cards business expands  into Brazil with the acquisition of Cardàpio. 1996 1997 The holding company changes its name to Sodexho  Alliance. The merger of the foodservices operations of  Marriott International and Sodexho and the  formation in the U.S. of Sodexho Marriott Services,  48.4% owned by Sodexho, which becomes North  American market and global leader in Food and  facilities management services. Sodexho Marriott  Services will become Sodexho, Inc., a wholly-owned  subsidiary of the Group, in 2001. 1998 2000 Following the integration of Universal, Sodexho  becomes the world leader in remote site  management. Sogeres (France) and Wood Dining Services (U.S.)  join the Group. 2001 2003 Succeeding Albert George, Jean-Michel Dhenain and  Michel Landel are appointed Chief Operating Officers. Sodexo  - Registration Document Fiscal 2013 18 1 GROUP PRESENTATION Our History