SODEXHO USA OPENS PICCOLO BISTRO AT INDEPENDENT LIVING FACILITIES

GAITHERSBURG, MD-February 8, 2005 - Going out to eat is a favorite American pastime. But as our country's population ages, going to a restaurant can become more of a challenge than an indulgence for seniors. In fact, according to a survey in QSR magazine, Americans between the ages of 59-71 eat out an average of 16 meals per month, less than any other age group surveyed. Sodexho USA, the nation's leading provider of food and facilities management services, is making dining out fun and easy again by introducing a new restaurant concept just for seniors and building it right on the grounds of independent living facilities.

Piccolo Bistro, a fully-conceived restaurant with a Mediterranean-influenced atmosphere, will feature a menu filled with the unique flavors of traditional Italian cuisine and tempting surprises like specialty coffees and delectable desserts. Located right on the independent living facility's grounds, Piccolo Bistro is the first restaurant designed, developed and built to be easily accessible to residents and the community at large.

“For many seniors, especially those who are living by themselves, eating out is an excellent source of social interaction as well as an enjoyable escape from their daily dining routine. Piccolo Bistro represents Sodexho USA's commitment to making gourmet dining as convenient and accessible as possible for our residents,” said Pat Connolly, vice president for Sodexho USA's Senior Services Division. “This restaurant concept will change the way seniors feel about dining in their resident community.”

The extensive menu at Piccolo Bistro includes hearty and rustic sandwiches on panini bread, homemade soups and Piccolo Bistro's signature line of salads offer a light but filling alternative. A full-range of hot and cold beverages will be offered, including the house specialty, an authentic espresso. For those who want to indulge, there are plenty of homemade sweets to choose from, including classic pastries, biscotti and chocolates.

“Our goal in creating Piccolo Bistro was to capture the essence of Italy in a sunny Mediterranean street-side cafe and to bring that experience to the residents at our facilities,” said Mario DeLuca, senior director of dining and culinary services for Sodexho USA's Senior Services Division. “We worked extensively with our culinary experts to bring the best recipes and authentic tastes to this new concept, and by using the freshest ingredients available we can bring these flavors to life for our customers.”

Piccolo Bistro locations are expected to open in three to five Sodexho-operated independent living facilities in the coming year.

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 110,000+ 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.