Three years after starting Sodexho as a defensive play, Bellon realized he was on to something big.

FORBES: At your service

Bellon had never heard of ARA. "I thought this business was invented by the French, " he quips.

FORBES: At Your Service

Bellon got a tip from an investment banker that Marriott International wanted to spin off its service business to focus on hotels.

FORBES: At your service

But as a result of the visit, Bellon found that he liked the new line of business even more and went on expanding it.

FORBES: Global Services

Pierre Bellon, the 69-year-old chairman, started the company in 1966 after he realized there wasn't much of a future in the family's ship chandlery business.

FORBES: At your service

The only way for Sodexho to grow, Bellon thought, was to plant the company flag as fast as possible in countries where U.S. companies hadn't yet set foot.

FORBES: At your service

Bellon raced to Spain, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Brazil.

FORBES: At Your Service

The feisty Bellon is undaunted.

FORBES: At your service