French catering firm Sodexo is seeking "small, local" acquisitions as it aims to expand its facilities management and service-voucher divisions, CEO Michel Landel said in an interview with Bloomberg.

“We have reimbursed debt, and are financing our growth, development and investment, paying dividends and looking at small and medium-sized acquisitions,” he said.

Landel added, "Our potential is much bigger than it was before because we have moved from being a single service provider to being a comprehensive service solutions provider". He noted that Sodexo is in a stronger position to consider purchases, having lowered its net borrowings to EUR656 million (USD854 million) as of 31 August, down from EUR889 million (USD1.24 billion) last year.

However, Landel also said that developed markets are likely to see slower growth in the next few years due to government austerity measures. In contrast, emerging markets are likely to keep producing "double- digit" growth.

Sodexo serves as the strategic partner for companies, institutions and local authorities who place a premium on performance, as it has since Pierre Bellon founded the company in 1966.

Sharing the same passion for service, Sodexo's 380,000 employees, in 80 countries around the world, design, manage and deliver an unrivalled array of comprehensive On-site Service Solutions and Motivation Solutions. In this, Sodexo has invented a new form of service business that promotes the fulfilment of our employees and contributes to the economic, social and environmental development of the local communities with which it works.