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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SODEXHO MARRIOTT SERVICES
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER RESIGNS

         GAITHERSBURG, MD., NOV. 3, 1999-Sodexho Marriott Services, Inc. (NYSE:
SDH) announced that Lawrence E. Hyatt, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer, submitted his resignation effective December 17, 1999. Mr. Hyatt
accepted a position as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of
Host Marriott Services, a subsidiary of Autogrill, SpA.
         "Larry provided outstanding leadership over the last two years in
putting us on an excellent financial course for future profit growth," said
Michel Landel, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sodexho Marriott
Services. "We are grateful for the many contributions he made during his very
successful career with Sodexho Marriott Services and Marriott Management
Services."
         The Company has launched a search for Mr. Hyatt's successor and has
retained an executive search firm.

         SODEXHO MARRIOTT SERVICES, INC. (NYSE-SDH) IS THE LARGEST PROVIDER OF
OUTSOURCED FOOD AND FACILITIES MANAGEMENT IN NORTH AMERICA, WITH $4.5 BILLION IN
ANNUAL SALES. SODEXHO MARRIOTT SERVICES OFFERS A VARIETY OF INNOVATIVE
OUTSOURCING SOLUTIONS, INCLUDING FOOD SERVICES, HOUSEKEEPING, GROUNDS KEEPING,
PLANT OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE, ASSET AND MATERIALS MANAGEMENT, AND LAUNDRY TO
THE CORPORATE, HEALTH CARE, EDUCATION AND REMOTE SITE MARKETS. THE COMPANY IS
THE 52ND LARGEST EMPLOYER IN NORTH AMERICA WITH 103,000 EMPLOYEES AND ITS
HEADQUARTERS IS LOCATED AT 9801 WASHINGTONIAN BOULEVARD, GAITHERSBURG, MD.
20878.

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Contact:

Kathy Boyle
Public Relations
(301) 987-4330

Leeny K. Oberg
Investor Relations
(301) 987-4333