COMPANY·HISTORIES
NAIC 722320

Caterers

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

18companies1926–1995founding years18still active0no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedDeutsche Lufthansa AGFoundedDeutsche Lufthansa AG
1926
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression spreads worldwide.
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.FoundedSociété Luxembourgeoise de Navigation Aérienne S.A.
1948
FoundedKuwait Airways CorporationFoundedKuwait Airways Corporation
1954
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; currencies float.
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins.
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher worldwide.
FoundedMatt Prentice Restaurant GroupFoundedMatt Prentice Restaurant Group
1980
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
FoundedZingerman's Community of BusinessesFoundedZingerman's Community of Businesses
1982
FoundedWolfgang Puck Worldwide, Inc.FoundedWolfgang Puck Worldwide, Inc.
1983
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
FoundedBoston Market CorporationFoundedBoston Market Corporation
1985
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall sharply around the world.
1989
HistoryThe Berlin Wall falls; global markets open up.
FoundedElior SAFoundedElior 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.FoundedPapa Murphy's International, Inc.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit worldwide.
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…
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.
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.
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…
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…
Zingerman's Community of Businesses →
Active · founded 1982
Zingerman's Community of Businesses encompasses a delicatessen, a full-service restaurant, a catering service, a…
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…
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.
Boston Market Corporation →
Active · founded 1985
Boston Market Corporation--formerly Boston Chicken Inc.--grew rapidly after its start in 1985.
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.
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.
Papa Murphy's International, Inc. →
Active · founded 1995
Operating out of Vancouver, Washington, Papa Murphy's International, Inc.
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