150,000 Sodexho Alliance Employees in 22 Countries Eligible for International Employee Stock Ownership Plan.

Business Editors

SAINT QUENTIN EN YVELINES, France--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 10, 2001

From April 23 to July 27, 2001, Sodexho Alliance is opening its capital to 150,000 employees in 22 countries.

The "Alliance" international employee stock ownership plan is open to employees of majority-owned Sodexho Alliance subsidiaries, regardless of the employee's position within the organization. Two subscription options are offered:

-- "Alliance Plus", which allows employees to invest up to 2.5% of
their gross annual salary, with the possibility of leveraging any increase in
the share price.

-- "Alliance Classic", which allows employees to invest up to 25% of
their gross annual salary. Investors would receive the full capital gain from
any increase in the share price but would also incur the risk of a decline.

Regardless of the option they choose, employees may not sell their shares for five years, except under certain conditions defined by law. In all cases, employees will be able to purchase shares at a 20% discount to the market price, except in the United States, where the discount is limited to 15%.

Since their introduction in France in 1993, employee share ownership plans have proven very popular with Sodexho employees, of whom more than 17,000 currently hold Sodexho Alliance shares.

The Alliance plan demonstrates the Group's commitment to motivating employees by enabling them to share in its growth and financial performance. The plan also provides a unique opportunity to federate employees and increase their pride in the Group.

About Sodexho Alliance

Founded in Marseille in 1966 by Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Pierre Bellon, Sodexho Alliance is the world's leading provider of Food and Management Services. It is also the second-largest issuer of Service Vouchers and Cards and the leading operator of River and Harbor Cruises. With more than 300,000 employees in 70 countries, Sodexho Alliance reported consolidated sales of 10.5 billion euros for the fiscal year that ended on August 31, 2000. The Sodexho Alliance share has been listed since 1983 on the Paris Bourse, where its market value totals 7.4 billion euros.