This Belgian caterer has exceeded 100 million euros in revenue
In a challenging contract catering sector, Brussels-based ISS Catering has distinguished itself with a surge in performance. The caterer, owned by the Danish facility management giant, has further improved its operating margin and profitability. "The future is promising, and the role of food services is crucial," says CEO Kris Cloots.
“In 2025, the market position was further strengthened, resulting in organic growth of 9%,” the directors of ISS Catering proudly announced in their latest management report. Filed at the end of July, the annual accounts of the Belgian subsidiary of the giant ISS demonstrate that corporate catering is a cash cow : turnover, which in 2024 was flirting with the symbolic threshold of one hundred million euros, has now surpassed it, reaching 106.77 million euros and accompanied by a net profit of 4.81 million euros (+11%).
“The future of facility management is promising, and several trends and developments will influence the sector in the coming years,” jointly emphasize directors Juan Gyselinck, CFO of ISS Belux, and Kris Cloots, CEO of ISS Belux . They cite, in particular, the need to provide a safe and healthy working environment for employees. And they stress that “in this context, the role of food services is crucial: they contribute to employee well-being by offering a truly memorable experience.”
To boost the operating margin (+14%, EBIT to €6.47 million) in an inflationary environment, tight management was essential. An examination of ISS Catering's accounts suggests that revenue growth exceeded the increase in operating expenses, primarily due to strict control of purchasing. The CFO and CEO of ISS Catering cited investment in new technologies "to improve both the service experience and added value" as contributing factors.
Similar, for example, to the KOST software which allows automated stock management (as soon as a dish is sold at the till, the corresponding ingredients are deducted from the stock in real time) and synchronization of menus and prices (planned menus are automatically sent to the till system).
The "increasing digitization" is one of the promising trends that will automate processes and increase their efficiency, according to the managers of the Brussels subsidiary. "The Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) will play a more important role in monitoring buildings and predicting their maintenance needs."
"The strategy has clearly paid off"
“Over the past year, investments have been made in scanning incoming goods on-site, preparing a comprehensive menu plan for all locations, and implementing 52-week staff scheduling,” they added. The effects of streamlining human resources are also evident: to meet increased demand, the institutional caterer has strengthened its workforce while reducing its reliance on temporary staff.
But the rise of ISS Catering in 2025 also validates the recent strategic shift in the "workplace management" market. The company no longer presents itself as a simple "corporate caterer" but as a player in the employee experience, integrated into a comprehensive workplace management offering.
“The role of the company restaurant is to foster connectivity, conviviality, and a sense of security around sharing a quality, healthy meal in a trendy yet welcoming setting,” explain Kris Cloots and Juan Gyselinck. This is “thanks to the emphasis placed on hygge .” Derived from Old Norse, this word, pronounced hoo-guh, which has no exact equivalent in English, refers to an atmosphere of human warmth, often associated with simple moments spent at home or with loved ones.
“In 2023, Food Services focused primarily on the office environment, which best reflects this user-friendliness,” noted the directors of ISS Belux. “Food Services achieved remarkable success in acquiring contracts in this office segment, leading to the conclusion that the 2023 strategy has clearly paid off.” This growth in business was accompanied by improved profitability.
And while ISS Catering has incurred no debt with credit institutions and has no outstanding tax, salary, or social security contributions, the management is resisting the lure of immediate dividends. Instead of distributing millions of euros in profits to shareholders, the Belgian subsidiary has kept almost everything "in reserve": retained earnings and the legal reserve provide flexibility for reinvestment... or future payouts.
