Pros
In some situations, work / life balance can be a positive. There are opportunities for advancement and relocation. There is room to grow at Sodexo, but opportunities don't fall from the sky. You truly do get out what you put in. For a reliable, dependable employee who is punctual, professional, and capable, there will be plenty of room to grow. The key is to be patient, and most importantly, make it clear that career advancement is the goal. Talk to the right people, ask the right questions, and develop the right skills, and apply for internal positions that you are qualified for. The benefits are in line with many other companies. The medical coverage is expensive, but it's expensive almost everywhere at this point.
Cons
Ever - increasing corporate presence and control. Work / life balance can be difficult to manage. Wages for hourly employees are near the lower end of the scale for our geographic area, in many cases. This tends to make it difficult to hire and retain employees. High turnover rate of hourly employees can make the life of a Chef very difficult. In the world of Contract Dining, the Client at that particular account often sets the tone and expectations for that piece of business. This can have a huge impact on the style and culture of the operation. Salary for Chefs and managers at the unit level is not bad, but not great either. If you are in a particularly demanding account, the stress and long hours can be overwhelming at times.