The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has decided that
Aramark must unwind its purchase of Entier, following an in-depth
investigation which found that the deal harmed competition in the
UK for offshore catering and facilities management services for
infrastructure assets located in the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS).
Aramark, a global food and facilities management provider,
acquired 90% of Entier, a leading British catering company based
in Aberdeen, in January 2025. Both companies supply offshore
catering and related services to oil and gas platforms and other
infrastructure in the UKCS and the North Sea.
The CMA's independent panel concluded that the deal combined two
of three major suppliers in the UK.
Offshore infrastructure operators consider offshore catering
critical to their operations and staff morale. This merger
reduces the choice available to these customers.
Evidence from existing customers and other competitors showed
that Aramark and Entier are considered very strong suppliers,
with most customers expecting to invite both companies to tenders
for upcoming contracts for the UKCS. The panel found that other
competitors were unlikely to provide strong enough alternatives
to the Aramark-Entier merged entity in the next two years.
As a result, the CMA determined that the merger would lead to a
substantial lessening of competition, potentially leading to
higher prices or reduced quality for customers for offshore
catering services for the UKCS.
Aramark chose not to offer a remedy and withdrew an initial
remedy proposal. The panel nevertheless considered a range of
possible remedies, including partial divestments, but concluded
that only the sale of Entier to an approved buyer would
effectively address the competition concerns.
Richard Feasey, chair of the independent panel investigating the
merger, said:
People working in the offshore oil and gas fields face incredibly
difficult working conditions at sea, so keeping them fed and
looked after is critical – that's why effective competition for
these catering services is so important.
Our investigation found that this deal would leave customers of
these services with very limited choice, making it harder for
them to get the best value and quality. We assessed all the
options available which could resolve our concerns and restore
competition. We found the only effective way of achieving this
was requiring Aramark to sell Entier.
The CMA now has 12 weeks to either accept Final Undertakings from
Aramark, or to make a Final Order requiring Aramark to sell
Entier to a suitable CMA-approved buyer.
More information can be found on the Aramark / Entier case
page.
Notes to editors
- Following its in-depth investigation, the CMA concluded that
the merger has resulted, or may be expected to result, in a
substantial lessening of competition in the market in the UK for
the supply of offshore catering and ancillary facilities
management services to customers for offshore infrastructure
assets in the UKCS. The CMA did not find a substantial lessening
of competition in the market for the supply of offshore catering
and ancillary facilities management services to customers for
marine assets in the North Sea (including the UKCS).
- During the investigation, after the CMA had issued its
interim report (24 October 2025), Aramark submitted a remedy
proposal to address the CMA's provisional competition concerns
set out in the interim report. The CMA consulted publicly on 11
November 2025 on a range of possible remedies, including
Aramark's proposed remedy. Aramark subsequently withdrew its
remedy proposal.
- The CMA's decision in its final report (15 January 2026) is
that Aramark must sell its shareholding in Entier Limited. This
requirement does not apply in relation to Entier Australia Pty
Ltd, which holds all the assets and employees used by Entier to
serve its contracts in Australia.
- The UKCS is an area designated by law. It comprises the
seabed and subsoil beyond the UK's territorial sea over which the
UK exercises sovereign rights to explore and exploit natural
resources. It is bordered by the seas of several countries,
including Norway, Denmark and the Netherlands. The UKCS includes
parts of the North Sea, but also parts of the North Atlantic,
Irish Sea and the English Channel.
