TrustHouse acquires catering firm

TrustHouse Services Group has acquired Philadelphia-based restaurateur Stephen Starr's Starr Restaurants Catering Group (SRCG). SRGC will continue to operate under the Starr Catering banner and be led by current President/CEO Simon Powles and COO Guy Kellner, both of whom will report to recently appointed TrustHouse President/CEO Brian Poplin.

SRCG provides custom catering and visitor dining at cultural institutions, public attractions and business locations such as the New York Historical Society, the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Perez Art Museum Miami. As part of the acquisition, TrustHouse has licensed numerous trademark menu items and recipes from Starr Restaurants to help assure that culinary standards will remain intact.

"This is an exciting time for us," said TrustHouse Chairman/Co-founder Michael J. Bailey in announcing the deal. "The Starr Restaurants Catering Group has a well renowned reputation for providing innovative food and exceptional hospitality in corporate dining and in large scale events and galas. The acquisition provides excellent potential for both SRCG and TrustHouse, infusing each with new resources and expanding opportunities for our employees."

"Both of us view our clients the same way," added Powles, who co-founded SRCG with James Beard nominated restaurateur Stephen Starr in 2008, and has led the operations and growth of the company. "We both believe our client partners and guests are at the core of everything we do. For our current clients, there will be no change in the high level quality and entrepreneurial approach we bring to each of our unique relationships, and at the same time, we are looking forward to working with the TrustHouse companies to expand premium dining and service offerings."

"A company of SRCG's caliber will have a significant impact on our entire company," noted Poplin. "We are poised to lead the market in culinary innovation and this acquisition is another step along that path. Every day, we listen to our clients and hear the ever-growing desire for ongoing culinary creativity and enhanced wellness offerings. We welcome the Starr Catering team and look forward to building on their success and forging an even brighter future."

TrustHouse ranked No. 8 on FM’s 2015 Top 50 Foodservice Management Companies listing with 2014 revenues of $498 million. Its operations consist primarily of serving institutional customers in the education, healthcare and corrections segments. The company was acquired two years ago by Bailey, the company management and European contract catering firm Elior SA.

Contact Mike Buzalka at [email protected]