The UK Competition and Markets Authority has extended Aramark’s deadline to sell Entier Limited (Entier) into 2027, giving the company more time to comply with a remedy imposed after competition concerns in offshore catering.
Aramark took a 90% ownership stake in Entier on Jan. 24, 2025. The CMA said in its January 2026 final report that the acquisition had, or was expected to, substantially weaken competition among firms providing offshore catering and related facilities management to infrastructure assets on the UK Continental Shelf. The agency said selling Entier to a buyer it approved was the only effective remedy.
Aramark’s acquisition brought together two of the three largest providers, the CMA said. The agency expected competing suppliers to take time to offer strong alternatives, leaving offshore customers with fewer choices and a risk of higher prices or lower service quality.
The CMA found no substantial lessening of competition in the separate market for offshore catering and ancillary facilities management services to marine-asset customers in the North Sea. The sale order also excludes Entier Australia Pty Ltd.
The extension followed Aramark’s Oct. 16 request. The company said it intended to seek permission from the UK Supreme Court to appeal an Oct. 7 ruling by Scotland’s Court of Session. The Scottish court upheld the Competition Appeal Tribunal’s refusal to give Aramark more time to challenge the CMA’s final report. The court opinion said Aramark filed its notice seeking review after the applicable deadline.
The CMA issued its directions on Oct. 23 and published them Oct. 27. The extended divestiture period ends on a date in 2027, but the published directions redact the specific day. A further extension would require CMA approval.
