Directors' Dealings

COMPASS GROUP 
30 SEPTEMBER 1999

                         Compass Group
                               
                    Grant of Share Options


Compass  Group plc today announces the grant of share  options
to  executive directors at 580p per share.  The awards are  as
follows:-


                    Ordinary Shares of 2.5p each
                           Nos. of Options

  
                                                         Total Maximum
  Name         Basic Award         Maximum Award       Holding following
                                                         Current award

M J Bailey       133,000              400,000                728,294

A P Lynch         52,000              155,000                475,000

A F Dupuis        50,000              150,000                270,000

F H Mackay       180,000              325,000                725,000


The  maximum  award will be exercisable only if  earnings  per
share  increase  by a minimum 12% per year.  The  basic  award
will  be exercisable only if earnings per share increase by  a
minimum  of 6% per year.  Options will be exercisable from  29
September 2002 to 29 September 2009.

In  considering  these awards the remuneration  committee  has
recommended that the next awards to be made under the  Compass
Group  Long  Term  Incentive Plan, due on 1 October  1999,  be
reduced by approximately 25% from current salary multiples.

Contact for enquiries:

Ron Morley:    Compass Group PLC      01932 573000
Andrew Lynch:  Compass Group PLC      01932 573000