The restaurant voucher cartel has not revealed all of its secrets. The investigation services of the Competition Authority carried out Tuesday operations of visit and seizure with companies of the sector suspected "to have implemented anti-competitive practices" .
Read also: Sanctions in sight for the restaurant voucher cartel
In December, the antitrust imposed 415 million fines on Sodexo, Edenred, Natixis-Intertitres and Up, for agreements between 2002 and 2018. It sanctioned them for exchanging confidential information and for having locked the market . With the exception of two start-ups - Resto Flash and Lunchr - these four issuers of meal vouchers control almost the entire market.
At this stage, these interventions obviously do not prejudge the guilt of the companies
The French Competition Authority in a press releaseWith these new seizures, the wise men of rue de l'Échelle undoubtedly seek to highlight other possible grounds for grievances. It could be, for example, sharing customers. "At this stage, these interventions obviously do not prejudge the guilt of companies," said a press release, without citing a name.
When questioned, Edenred confirmed that seizures had taken place at its Paris headquarters. The issuer of Ticket Restaurant, leader in France, was hit in December with the heaviest penalty: 157 million euros. Like its competitors, the company, which had not provisioned anything, appealed. However, she will have to pay the fine this year. In 2019, Edenred had a record year: net profit reached 312 million euros (+ 22.9%), for turnover of 1.6 billion (+ 18%). Employing 10,000 people, the company now markets 250 offers, meal vouchers, but also food, culture, sport, fuel, etc.