
Caterer Compass buys Vermaat for €1.5 billion, raises profit forecast
The world's largest catering group also raised its annual profit forecast, saying it now expects underlying operating profit growth to be towards 11%, compared with an earlier forecast of high single-digit growth.
Revenue in the third quarter ended June 30 rose 8.6%, with growth across its North America and international markets. It also benefited from recent acquisitions progressing ahead of expectations.
In the first half of the year, Compass spent $1.13 billion in acquisitions, including in regions such as France and Norway.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

The Journal
2 hours ago
- The Journal
Uber will give women in US a choice to only travel with other women - but no plans to do it in Ireland
UBER IS INTRODUCING a feature in some US cities that will enable women to ask to only be paired with drivers who are also women – but has no plans to bring the measure to Ireland. The ride-sharing company announced this week that it is piloting a feature called 'Women Preferences' in three US cities in the coming weeks. The function will allow women using the app – both passengers and drivers – to request to only be matched with other women on trips. The pilot will start with Los Angeles, San Francisco and Detroit, with intentions to expand further across the US. Several dozen countries (Ireland isn't one of them) already have an option in the app for women drivers to request to only be paired with other women as passengers, but this will be the first time that passengers have the option. In a statement to The Journal , Uber said it does not currently plan to introduce the feature in Ireland. 'This is just a US product,' a spokesperson said. More choice. More control. Women told us they wanted the option to be matched with other women—and we listened. Now, after piloting these features in dozens of countries, we're bringing Women Preferences to the US. 🙋♀️ Riders can choose a woman driver 🚘 Drivers get more… — Uber (@Uber) July 23, 2025 Advertisement Other taxi apps operating in Ireland include Freenow and Bolt. Freenow is being acquired by Lyft, another taxi app, which has a similar feature in the US called Women+ Connect. In a statement to The Journal, Freenow Ireland General Manager, Danny O'Gorman said that Women+ Connect has been 'well received in the US' and it is 'currently evaluating whether and how similar features could be relevant for European markets'. 'Supporting passenger and driver safety is a key priority for Freenow, and we are committed to providing safe and reliable service to app users through safety features like 'Share your trip', which allows the trip to be shared with friends or family,' O'Gorman said. 'Taxi drivers in Ireland are regulated by the National Transport Authority and require full vetting by An Garda Síochána before obtaining their taxi licence,' he said. Bolt, which has a feature in some countries for passengers called 'Women for Women', said that it keeps the available locations under review but that there are barriers in the industry to growing the number of women working as taxi drivers. Kimberly Hurd, Bolt's Senior General Manager for Ireland, said: 'Safety is a top priority for Bolt, and we're always looking at new ways to support both passengers and drivers. We introduced a 'Women for Women' feature in several countries, which allows women passengers to request women drivers where available. 'While this feature is not currently available in Ireland, we're constantly reviewing where it could be rolled out next,' Hurd said, adding that Bolt has other in-app safety features like an emergency assist button. 'As a woman in the industry, increasing the diversity of drivers is a particular focus of mine. However, a major barrier to growing the number of women in the industry is the current regulatory environment,' she said. 'The cost of entering the market is high and the SPSV Driver Entry Test needs modernisation to better reflect today's technology and operating conditions. These issues need to be addressed if we're serious about improving diversity across the sector.' Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal


Irish Examiner
7 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Hopes for trade framework deal between EU and US this weekend
There is fresh hope that a trade framework agreement between the EU and the US will be reached over the weekend, Government sources have confirmed. It comes ahead of the tariff deadline on August 1, which could see Irish and EU goods entering the US hit with 30% tariffs. The original deadline of July 9 was extended by three weeks as US president Donald Trump also increased his proposed tariffs from 20% to 30%. Government sources told the Irish Examiner that there is an expectation, belief, and hope that a deal will be agreed between the US and the EU in the coming days. However, they also sounded a note of caution as they stated there was a 'flurry of activity' earlier this week after several news outlets in Europe reported that a deal was imminent, only for it to be rebuffed by White House officials. There were also suggestions earlier this month that a framework agreement was ready to be signed off, but this also never materialised. In Luxembourg, Taoiseach Micheál Martin told reporters that he was 'hopeful' a preliminary deal could be reached over the weekend. However, he also warned that it would be 'foolish' to bet on it. 'We're certain there will be detailed discussions... in terms of many, many products,' he said. 'This will continue notwithstanding a framework agreement, [which] hopefully will be signed off before the weekend is over. "Part of the reason for the intensity of those negotiations is to try and tie up as much as we can.' The Taoiseach also said there are 'intensive' conversations ongoing and that the EU does not want a 'retaliatory scenario'. On Thursday, EU members agreed to introduce €93bn worth of counter tariffs against the US if an agreement was not reached. The measures would take effect by August 7, but only if a deal is not struck. The package is a consolidation of two separate tariff packages — one in response to US steel and aluminium valued at €21bn, while the second was compiled earlier this summer. Tánaiste Simon Harris, who is also trade minister, said it was 'long past time for a deal'. 'While we were successful in removing some key Irish sensitivities following intensive consultation with the European Commission, this package of rebalancing measures, if implemented would have an adverse effect on European and Irish business,' he said. Read More Consumer sentiment slips in July amid concern over cost pressures and tariff threats, survey shows


Irish Independent
7 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Trump says 50/50 chance of EU trade deal
"I would say that we have a 50-50 chance, maybe less than that, but a 50-50 chance of making a deal with the EU," Trump told reporters Friday before departing for a golf trip to Scotland. Trump added that US and EU negotiators were working "closely" to strike a deal. Trump earlier this month issued a letter saying the EU would face a 30pc tariff on most goods if they fail to reach an agreement by Aug. 1, in addition to sector-specific tariffs. Trump has hit cars and auto parts with a 25pc customs tax, and steel and aluminium with a rate double that. He's also threatened to target pharmaceuticals and semiconductors with new duties as early as next month, and recently announced a 50pc duty on copper. European negotiators are optimistic they can strike a deal that would set a 15pc baseline for most exports, with hopes that duties at that level would also cover categories like automobiles that are facing industry-specific duties. They also hope to set a quota for lower tariffs for some steel and aluminium products. The EU may also receive limited carve-outs linked to aviation, some medical devices and generic medicines, several spirits, and manufacturing equipment. Trump told reporters that he also expected to issue additional letters unilaterally setting tariff rates on other nations in the coming days, and expressed confidence that upcoming trade talks in Stockholm with China could yield more progress. The US and China have the "confines of a deal," Trump said. (Bloomberg)