Offshore catering services support daily operations and staff welfare on the UK’s offshore energy infrastructure, with a small number of major suppliers serving assets across the UK Continental Shelf.
On 15 January 2026, the Competition and Markets Authority ordered Aramark to sell Entier after an in-depth investigation found the acquisition reduced competition in the offshore catering and facilities management market. The decision was issued by the CMA’s independent panel following its final report.
Introduction
The Competition and Markets Authority published its ruling in London after reviewing the effects of the January 2025 acquisition on supplier choice and market conditions. The decision applies to services provided to offshore infrastructure assets located in the UK Continental Shelf.
The CMA set out the process for divestment and the timeframe for Aramark to submit final undertakings or face a formal sale order.
CMA Decision on Aramark and Entier
The CMA determined that Aramark’s acquisition of a 90 percent stake in Entier, completed in January 2025, must be unwound. The authority stated that the merger combined two of the three major suppliers in the UK offshore catering market.
Additionally, the CMA confirmed that the requirement applies to Entier’s UK operations serving the UK Continental Shelf, while Entier’s Australian business is not covered by the divestment order.
Merger Decision Overview
| Acquisition Date | Aramark acquired a 90 percent stake in Entier in January 2025, as reported by the Competition and Markets Authority. |
| Final Decision | The CMA’s independent panel ordered the sale of Entier to a CMA-approved buyer in its final report dated 15 January 2026. |
Findings on Market Competition
The CMA’s panel concluded that the merger reduced the number of major suppliers available to offshore operators. The authority reported that most customers expected to invite both Aramark and Entier to tender for upcoming UK Continental Shelf contracts.
However, the CMA found that alternative competitors were unlikely to provide comparable options within the next two years. The panel stated that this created a risk of higher prices or reduced service quality for customers.
- Reduced supplier choice
- Limited competitive alternatives
Customer and Supplier Assessment
| Customer Evidence | The CMA reported that offshore operators typically invited both Aramark and Entier to tender for UKCS contracts. |
| Market Outlook | The authority stated that other suppliers were unlikely to offer strong alternatives within a two-year period. |
Impact on Offshore Operators and Services
The CMA stated that offshore catering is considered essential to daily operations and staff welfare on oil and gas platforms. The authority reported that reduced competition could affect both pricing and service standards for operators.
Additionally, the panel linked the availability of multiple strong suppliers to the ability of customers to secure value and quality through competitive tendering. The findings were presented as part of the CMA’s assessment of market impact.
- Pricing pressure
- Service quality considerations
Remedies and Divestment Process
The CMA confirmed that Aramark withdrew its proposed remedy during the investigation. The panel stated that it reviewed alternative measures, including partial divestments, but concluded these would not resolve the competition concerns.
As a result, the authority determined that the only effective remedy was the sale of Entier to a CMA-approved buyer. The CMA noted that it now has 12 weeks to accept final undertakings from Aramark or issue a final order to enforce the divestment.
Stakeholder Comments
Ministerial Comments
Richard Feasey, Chair of the Independent Panel said;
“People working in the offshore oil and gas fields face difficult conditions at sea, which is why effective competition for catering services matters. Our investigation found that this deal would leave customers with very limited choice, making it harder to secure value and quality.”
“We assessed the available options and concluded that requiring Aramark to sell Entier was the only effective way to restore competition.”
Bottom Line
The Competition and Markets Authority’s January 2026 ruling requires Aramark to divest Entier following findings that the merger reduced competition in the UK offshore catering market.
The decision outlines a 12-week period for final undertakings or the issuance of a final order. The CMA stated that the action is intended to protect customer choice and maintain service standards for operators across the UK Continental Shelf.
Sources: Competition and Markets Authority.
Prepared by Ivan Alexander Golden, Founder of THX News, an independent news organisation delivering timely insights from global official sources. Combines AI-analysed research with human-edited accuracy and context.
