AROM GROUP, from an experienced brand to a powerful group of companies.
The origins of Arom, more than 30 years of experience
After having held LE CAILHAU, one of the best tables in Bordeaux, Jean-Claude Lacoste (born and bread in the Landes region), founds in Eysines, LE CAILHAU TRAITEUR in 1983.
The company experiences a strong development within the South West region by taking parts in all the major events : Fête de la Fleur, Vinexpo, Ban des Vendanges, etc.
Having no sucessor, Jean-Claude Lacoste chooses to hand over his company to well known parisian caterer BUTARD ENESCOT. He keeps 5 % shares and accompany the new owner.
The company changes name to carry its founder’s name and becomes LACOSTE TRAITEUR. It aims to become the leader in banqueting for the Bordeaux and South West market by offering prestigious catering services. This strategy relies on the strong image of a national caterer and local know how.
BUTARD ENESCOT rachète la société parisienne SCOTT & MAUDUIT dirigée par Didier Oudin et devient le 3ème opérateur français des TOR (Traiteurs, Organisateurs de Réceptions).
BUTARD ENESCOT takes over SCOTT & MAUDIT caterer (which at the time was led by Mr Didier Oudin) and becomes the third largest national caterer and banqueting operator.
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Didier Oudin, a caterer growth driver.
In 2005, Didier Oudin leaves BUTARD ENESCOT and take over all the shares the company has in LACOSTE. Jean-Claude Lacoste still keeps 5% of the shares and helps out Mr Oudin to familiarize with the local market.All 13 employees will keep their jobs. At that time, the company is the 2nd largest caterer in turnover for the Bordeaux region. LACOSTE TRAITEUR carries out 630 catering events per year, for a sales revenue of 2.5 Million Euros and a 25% continuous growth. The company ranks 39th in the caterers national market.
There will be another major increase in 2007 : with a sales revenue of 3.95 Million Euros (58% growth) and 950 catering events, LACOSTE TRAITEUR gains 6 places and reaches 33rd place of the national ranking.
In 2008, during the « Bordeaux Fête le Vin » event, LACOSTE TRAITEUR collaborates with 4 Michelin starred chefs for a one of its kind dinner with the council of the 1855 Bordeaux Classified Growth. 2008 marks the 25th Anniversary of LACOSTE and the 3rd birthday of LACOSTE’s takeover by Didier Oudin.
To join forces and start diversification under one entity :
In 2009, Didier Oudin takes over another local caterer named Garmendia. The company changes its name to LA GRIF’GOURMANDE, becoming the second brand of AROM, right after LACOSTE.Within the same year, new brands became part of the story : Dabbawala, our meal and cocktail boxes delivery service which gained a rapid growth.
At the same time the group extends its activity by acquiring a restaurant with banqueting rooms. Named, Le Carré Du Lac, the restaurant is open 7 days a week and is able to accomodate several hundreds guests in its banqueting areas.
New stage in diversification in 2010, the creation of ‘Signature by’. The aim is to offer our guest a one of its kind luxurious experience by designing menus with the partnership of well know local chefs, like MICHEL PORTOS, Michelin Starred chef at the St James. (at the time). Other will follow such as Thierry Marx, François Adamski, Michel Roth…
Facing a multi-brand strategy, Didier Oudin decides to unify the group by granting a name and a true identity to him. The Group AROM, 8M€ in sales, 30 employees, several thousands of covers served and a global partnershing with local/national companies, comes out in August 2010.
The Laboratory, the brand new head office for AROM’s brands.
In March 2012, group AROM builds and move in the largest catering laboratory of the South-west of France. A 1700m² facility located in the Industrial zone Jean Mermoz in Eysines, 10 minutes away from Bordeaux center.In addition to the kitchens, the storage area and offices, AROM disposes of a large, modern and functional workshop called ‘L’ATELIER’ where the company carries out food tasting, private kitchen class, and VIP dinners.
Still in 2012, the group opens its first bakery shop called la B.A (Boulangerie AROM) which offers and bakery, pastry and catering services.
The Arom group and the major Bordeaux city projects
In 2015 and 2016 AROM won two consecutive tenders offers. The first being the brand new stadium called Matmut Atlantique where LACOSTE TRAITEUR carries out all catering activities in the VIP lounges and skyboxes during Girondins de Bordeaux (Football) and Union Bordeaux Bègles (Rugby) matchs, as well as banqueting during non match days for local companies.Year 2016 brings a second batch of satisfaction for AROM which, in addition to world scale congresses such as ITS with the Bordeaux Congress Center, wins the tender for the Cité Du Vin.
‘The City of Wine’ is the new flagship buiding. The group manages with 2 business associates, the restaurant of the 7th floor “the 7”(partnership with the Lascombes group) but also the wine library, wine barand snack bar to get her named as “Latitude 20”(in partnership with Régis Deltil from Passion Vins and Christian Messaris from Immogest). As for Lacoste, the brand is again part of a 5 referenced local caterers list who carries out VIP event in the private rooms at La Cité Du vin.
Today the group represents more than 14M€ in sales revenues.
