Sodexho Mess Hall Named Best in the Nation

GAITHERSBURG, MD-April 27, 2006- Sodexho, Inc. (NYSE: SDX) announced today that a company-operated mess hall at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina was named the best in the nation by the United States Marine Corps (USMC). At a recent ceremony, the management and staff of Mess Hall 455 - Camp Johnson, was presented with the W.P.T. Hill Award, the highest honor for a food service operation in the USMC.

Sodexho's Government Services Division operates Mess Hall 455 Camp Johnson, at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. About 1,500 Marines eat at the mess hall three times a day, seven days a week. Son's Quality Food Company, a sub-contractor and small, minority business partner of Sodexho at this facility provides mess attendants and supervisors.

“Receiving this award is an honor for the entire Sodexho team,” said Greg Verone, president of Sodexho's Government Services division. “Our team works so hard to make every day a better day for the Marines and Sailors we serve at all of the mess halls in the country; to be recognized as the best mess hall in the world is extraordinary.”

The W.P.T. Hill Memorial Award was established in 1971 and is named for the late Major General William P. T. Hill, Quartermaster General, 1944-1955. The competition is Marine Corps-wide with trophies and certificates of achievement awarded in four categories. Sodexho was awarded the top honor in the 'best full service mess hall' category. The Hill Award evaluation team, comprised of military personnel and industry professionals, who traveled the world evaluating each mess hall team and selecting food service award winners. Management and food preparation receive the most weight in the evaluation, along with superior service to the customer and effective management according to governing directives.

“Winning the Hill award is a special honor because it demonstrates the commitment Sodexho and the United States Marines have to providing top quality food services to our Marines and Sailors, said Colonel Grover C. Lewis, commanding officer of Camp Johnson at Camp Lejeune. “I'm certain that the young Marines and Sailors aboard Camp Johnson appreciate the effort the food service team in Mess Hall 455 puts forth in providing nutritional meals in a pleasing environment.”

Sodexho, Inc. (www.sodexhoUSA.com) is the leading provider of food and facilities management in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, with $6.3 billion in annual revenue and 120,000+ employees. Sodexho, Inc. offers innovative outsourcing solutions in food service, housekeeping, grounds keeping, plant operations and maintenance, asset management, and laundry services to 6,000 corporations, health care, long term care and retirement centers, schools, college campuses, military and remote sites throughout North America. Headquartered in Gaithersburg, MD, Sodexho, Inc. proudly serves as the official food service provider for the U.S. Marine Corps.