Sodexo to acquire Accent Food Services, a leading U.S. independent vending operation

Paris-based catering behemoth Sodexo announced today that it has agreed to acquire Frontline Food Services (dba Accent Food Services), a fast-growing regional convenience services operation in the U.S. The closing of the acquisition is subject to customary regulatory processes and its approval is expected in the coming months. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Sodexo's Accent Food Services acquisition follows several others in U.S. made by the French firm in 2021, including startup Foodee and commissary kitchen model Nourish Inc.

According to Sodexo, Accent will broaden its multi-channel offerings, including click n' collect, takeout, delivery, convenience store concepts, micro markets, self-service pantries, office refreshments and smart vending machines. This latest move for Sodexo reflects the acceleration of its "any food, anytime, anywhere" strategy.

“With the acquisition of [Accent], we can better adjust our offerings quickly – for instance, converting from vending to coffee service to micro markets seamlessly as the needs of our clients and their customers change with the times. Sodexo’s ability to be agile is paramount; this acquisition further enables us to deliver on that need,” said Sodexo’s North America region chair Sarosh Mistry.

Frontline, or Access, started as a family-owned vending business in central Texas. Through the years the business has grown to become one of the largest independent convenience services operators in the U.S. with an operating footprint in the mid-Atlantic and Southwest and on the West Coast.

Already positioned on the East and West Coasts, Sodexo will gain a reach into the mid-Atlantic, Texas, Arizona and Nevada, among other markets.

Frontline has been servicing Sodexo accounts for more than a decade and through those years a strong partnership has been built," said Frontline Food Services president and chief executive Ken Sullivan.