COMPANYHISTORIES
NAIC 72232

Caterers

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

11companies1926–1995founding years11still active0no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedDeutsche Lufthansa AG
1926
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long global expansion begins.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented.
FoundedSociété Luxembourgeoise de Navigation Aérienne S.A.
1948
FoundedKuwait Airways Corporation
1954
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins.
FoundedMatt Prentice Restaurant Group
1980
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
FoundedLa Madeleine French Bakery & CaféFoundedZingerman's Community of Businesses
1982
FoundedWolfgang Puck Worldwide, Inc.
1983
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
FoundedBoston Market Corporation
1985
FoundedCompass Group PLC
1987
1989
HistoryThe Berlin Wall falls; global markets open up.
FoundedElior SA
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
FoundedPapa Murphy's International, Inc.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

Deutsche Lufthansa AG →
Active · founded 1926 · Germany
Deutsche Lufthansa AG (commonly referred to as Lufthansa) is the largest airline in Germany and one of the three…
Société Luxembourgeoise de Navigation Aérienne S.A. →
Active · founded 1948 · Luxembourg
Société Luxembourgeoise de Navigation Aérienne S.A.
Kuwait Airways Corporation →
Active · founded 1954 · State of Kuwait
Kuwait Airways Corporation (KAC) is the flag carrier of Kuwait.
Matt Prentice Restaurant Group →
Active · founded 1980
The Matt Prentice Restaurant Group runs more than a dozen eateries in the metropolitan area of Detroit, Michigan, and…
La Madeleine French Bakery & Café →
Active · founded 1982
La Madeleine French Bakery & Café, headquartered in Dallas, where it was founded by Patrick Esquerre in 1982, operates…
Zingerman's Community of Businesses →
Active · founded 1982
Zingerman's Community of Businesses encompasses a delicatessen, a full-service restaurant, a catering service, a…
Wolfgang Puck Worldwide, Inc. →
Active · founded 1983
Wolfgang Puck Worldwide, Inc., brings the trademark cuisine of one of America's most celebrated chefs to an audience…
Boston Market Corporation →
Active · founded 1985
Boston Market Corporation--formerly Boston Chicken Inc.--grew rapidly after its start in 1985.
Compass Group PLC →
Active · founded 1987 · United Kingdom
As the world's largest foodservice company, Compass Group PLC is aptly named.
Elior SA →
Active · founded 1991 · France
Elior SA is one of the top three contract catering groups in Europe--and number one in France and Spain.
Papa Murphy's International, Inc. →
Active · founded 1995
Operating out of Vancouver, Washington, Papa Murphy's International, Inc.
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