CMA Finalises Order Requiring Aramark to Sell Entier After UK Phase 2 Merger Inquiry

The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has completed its in-depth merger inquiry into the acquisition of Entier Limited by Aramark Limited. The CMA issued a final order on 30 April 2026 requiring Aramark to divest Entier, following findings that the transaction was likely to substantially lessen competition within certain UK markets. The CMA's final report and related documents detail an 18-month process involving two phases, public consultations, and the appointment of monitoring and remedy groups.

Timeline and Structure of the CMA Merger Inquiry

CMA formally launched the inquiry into Aramark Limited’s completed acquisition of Entier Limited on 23 May 2025. The process began with an initial enforcement order served to Aramark on 25 March 2025, restricting integration steps while the investigation progressed. The phase 1 decision, made public on 22 July 2025, expressed initial concerns that the merger could lead to a substantial lessening of competition in UK catering services. On 5 August 2025, the CMA referred the transaction for a phase 2 investigation after the parties did not propose undertakings to address the phase 1 competition concerns.

The phase 2 administrative timetable started in August 2025, with a formal inquiry group appointed: Richard Feasey (Chair), Paul Hughes, and Crispin Wright. Key milestones included:

• Launch of the merger inquiry: 23 May 2025
• Phase 1 decision and reference: 22 July 2025
• Phase 2 referral and terms of reference: 5 August 2025
• Appointment of the inquiry group: 5 August 2025
• Interim report: 24 October 2025
• Final report: 15 January 2026
• Notice of intention to make final order: 26 March 2026
• Final order issued: 30 April 2026

Competition Concerns in the Aramark–Entier Merger

The investigation centred on the completed acquisition of Entier Limited by Aramark Limited and the impact this could have on competition in the UK, specifically within catering to sectors including oil and gas platforms (notably in the North Sea). The interim report published in October 2025 provisionally found that the transaction could lessen competition due to reduced choice for customers and the possible weakening of incentives to maintain quality or competitive pricing.

"CMA requires Aramark to sell Entier after finding competition concerns," (CMA, 15 January 2026 press release).

Following this provisional finding, the CMA undertook a remedies consultation between 11 and 18 November 2025, receiving input from industry stakeholders and the merging parties.

Final Order and Divestment Remedy

After reviewing stakeholder input and responses to its interim and final reports, the CMA reached a conclusive determination. On 30 April 2026, a final order was made, mandating Aramark to divest Entier Limited in order to restore competition. This decision followed the usual statutory and administrative processes, including:

• Appointment of a remedy group on 1 May 2026 (Crispin Wright (Chair), Frances McLeman, Stephen Rose)
• Issuance of derogations to the enforcement order, clarifying what integration steps Aramark could take while arranging divestment
• Ongoing oversight by a monitoring trustee, as directed by the CMA in December 2025

The statutory inquiry period was extended by six weeks in March 2026 due to special circumstances cited by the panel, with a revised deadline of 20 May 2026 for full discharge of its duties under the Enterprise Act 2002.

Regulatory Process: Enforcement Orders, Monitoring, and Remedies

The CMA served an initial enforcement order (IEO) on Aramark in March 2025. This order prevented further integration of Entier by Aramark and enabled close regulatory monitoring and enforcement during the inquiry. The CMA then appointed a monitoring trustee to ensure compliance with its orders.

Key administrative steps included invitations to comment by industry participants, publication of the full text and summary decisions, and formal reviews of representations submitted by the parties after the phase 1 and interim reports. The parties were required to collaborate with the monitoring trustee while submitting joint responses to both phase 1 and interim findings.

The final order and derogations, published between May and August 2026, ensure that the divestment process aligns with UK merger control rules. The process established legally binding obligations on Aramark to maintain Entier as a viable competitor until a suitable buyer is identified and the sale completed.

Implications for the UK Catering Market and Competitive Landscape

This significant intervention by the CMA demonstrates continued scrutiny of mergers in the UK catering and support services sector. The agency has the authority to prevent transactions from causing adverse effects on competition, particularly where industry consolidation could leave customers with fewer alternatives or higher prices. Operators or investors considering UK-based transactions of similar scale are likely to face detailed competition reviews and should anticipate the possibility of mandated divestitures where concerns are substantiated.

The Aramark–Entier case offers a precedent for future assessments involving vertically or horizontally integrated catering services, with the CMA leveraging its investigatory powers under the Enterprise Act 2002 and appointing remedy teams where required. The careful administration of derogations and the appointment of a monitoring trustee further illustrate the detailed approach characterising UK merger enforcement.

Key CMA Findings and Stakeholder Engagement

The CMA’s administrative record underscores the depth of its engagement with market participants:

• Interim findings and associated evidence were published for feedback
• Comments and remedies consultation periods were strictly timetabled
• Full transparency was provided through the publication of the final report, associated orders, and relevant appendices

This inquiry establishes the process and regulatory precedent for handling large-scale transactions in the UK’s competitive markets, as the CMA continues to monitor implementation of the divestiture and compliance with its orders.