Sodexho USA's Retail Brand Group Signs Agreement with Saks Incorporated to Open Jazzman's Cafés

GAITHERSBURG, MD, November 1, 2005-Sodexho USA, the nation's leading provider of food and facilities management services, announced today that its Corporate Services Division has entered into an agreement with Saks Incorporated to open Jazzman's Café® in select locations. The first in-store café at the new Parisian store in Collierville, Tenn., opened recently just outside of Memphis. Jazzman's Café is an award-winning coffeehouse with a broad menu and an upscale ambiance accentuated by signature jazz musical selections.

“Saks Incorporated is known for its portfolio of brands that give customers unparalleled service and quality, something that Jazzman's also prides itself on,” says Steve DiPrima, senior vice president of Sodexho Corporate Services. “This opportunity brings together two world-class brands to offer customers a total retail experience.”

The inaugural Jazzman's is located on the first floor of the Parisian, an anchor retailer in The Avenue Carriage Crossing, a new lifestyle center near Memphis, and will be used as a pilot for possible future in-store cafés. It features the full Jazzman's menu including espressos, flavored coffees, teas, smoothies, sandwiches, hot-pressed paninis, soup, tossed-to-order salads and gourmet muffins and pastries baked fresh on-site daily.

“Parisian provides an exceptional shopping experience which starts with unique products and brands and is complemented by service levels that make our customers feel special,” said Toni Browning, President and CEO of the Parisian Division. “Having a unique concept like Jazzman's in our new Parisian location will help us further enhance the customer experience in this exciting and lively new retail center.”

Since 1998 Jazzman's Café has been creating an authentic coffeehouse experience. Headquartered in Allentown, Penn., Jazzman's is part of a portfolio of brands from Sodexho's Retail Brand Group and has enjoyed rapid growth and currently has over 130 units in the U.S., Canada and the U.K. Learn more about Jazzman's Café at www.retailbrandgroup.com.

Saks Incorporated (NYSE: SKS) operates Saks Department Store Group (SDSG) with 181 department stores under the names of Parisian, Younkers, Herberger's, Carson Pirie Scott, Bergner's and Boston Store and 53 Club Libby Lu specialty stores. The Company also operates Saks Fifth Avenue Enterprises (SFAE), which consists of 55 Saks Fifth Avenue stores, 50 Saks Off Fifth stores and saks.com. For additional information, visit www.saksincorporated.com.

Sodexho USA (www.sodexhoUSA.com) is the leading provider of food and facilities management in the United States, with $6 billion in annual revenue and 120,000+ employees. Sodexho USA offers innovative outsourcing solutions in food service, housekeeping, grounds keeping, plant operations and maintenance, asset management, and laundry services to more than 6,000 corporations, health care, long term care and retirement centers, schools, college campuses, military and remote sites in North America. Headquartered in Gaithersburg, MD, Sodexho USA proudly serves as the official food service provider for the US Marine Corps.