Britain’s competition watchdog ordered U.S.-based food service and facilities provider Aramark to sell offshore catering firm Entier on Thursday, after an investigation found the merger would substantially harm competition for services to North Sea oil and gas platforms.
The Competition and Markets Authority said the deal, completed in January 2025, combined two of only three major suppliers of offshore catering and facilities management services in the UK Continental Shelf, leaving customers with limited choice and potentially facing higher prices or reduced service quality.
Aramark, which acquired a 90% stake in Entier, chose not to offer a remedy and withdrew an initial proposal, CMA said, prompting the regulator to conclude that only a full sale of Entier to an approved buyer would restore competition.
Aramark did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
CMA now has 12 weeks to either accept final undertakings from Aramark, or make a final order requiring the firm to sell Aberdeen-based Entier.
Source: Reuters.com