Compass Group UK and Ireland has bought food and health technology start-up, Feedr, in a move to accelerate its digital transformation. The deal was completed in early March 2020 and will play a key role in reshaping the ‘return to work’ strategy for Compass.
The company plans to utilise Feedr’s software across its portfolio of corporate clients, with further potential applications of the technology in education and healthcare sectors. Mobile ordering and pre-pay technology will enable Compass to transform the way people interact with on-site restaurants, so employees can browse menus, pay and collect more flexibly, enhancing their food at work experience.
Feedr’s focus on nutrition and health means employees can use the app to track and personalise their daily eating, helping them make healthier choices and giving them a better picture of nutrition from the meals they consume at their workplace. This offers companies a way to put wellbeing at the heart of their food at work strategy.
Compass also plans to invest in growing the technology company as an independent brand which will continue to operate in the delivery market with its Cloud Canteen product, with Feedr leveraging the Compass global platform to accelerate its growth.
The timing of the acquisition has enabled Feedr and Compass to collectively support vulnerable populations during the COVID crisis, launching a first initiative in early April, where free Compass meals were connected to vulnerable customers’ homes using the start-up’s technology.
In addition, Feedr launched a home delivery solution for its existing customers, flipping its usual business model on its head. The technology will be used to support social distancing and help eliminate queues through click and collect initiatives in workplaces.
Riya Grover, Co-Founder and CEO of Feedr, commented: “We are thrilled to be part of Compass Group and to integrate our ordering, payments and health technology across their portfolio. Operating at new levels of scale will allow us to accelerate our product innovation, and to support our marketplace of restaurant partners with new opportunities.”
