Sodexho USA Named 2005 Employer of the Year by The Marriott Foundation

GAITHERSBURG, MD, October 24, 2005- Sodexho USA (NYSE:SDX), the nation's leading provider of food and facilities management services, announced that it has received the Marriott Foundation's 2005 Atlanta 'Employer of the Year' award. The award is given annually for exemplary participation in the Foundation's “Bridges.from school to work” program and for providing exceptional employment opportunities for young people with disabilities.

“We are proud to be recognized by the Marriott Foundation and are committed to our partnership with its “Bridges.from school to work” program,” said Fred Formichella, senior vice president of Sodexho's Campus Services Division. “Sodexho has hired 21 young people through the Bridges program in Atlanta and our staff has worked consistently with the youth to assure that these jobs provide the opportunity to learn and grow.” Formichella accepted the award on behalf of Sodexho along with Butch Smith, senior vice president of Sodexho's Corporate Services Division at a ceremony held recently in Atlanta.

Sodexho has also been honored by DiversityInc who named the company a top employer for disabilities for its strong effort to use suppliers owned by people with disabilities and to partner with disability advocacy organizations. In addition, Sodexho was named 'Employer of the Year' by the Autism Services Association for providing employment to young adults with autism.

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.