Caterer Sodexo is weighing a takeover of US rival Aramark, Bloomberg News By Reuters reports

(Reuters) – French food catering firm Sodexo ( EPA: ) is exploring a potential acquisition of its U.S. rival Aramark, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday.

Sodexo has discussed the deal periodically with food and facilities management supplier Aramark in recent months, the report said, citing people familiar with the matter.

However, there is no guarantee that the talks will lead to a deal, and in any case, a potential deal could face antitrust scrutiny. Sodexo would also have to secure the funds for such a major acquisition, the report added.

Philadelphia-headquartered Aramark, which offers services in 15 countries, has a market capitalization of more than $9.8 billion, according to LSEG data.

Aramark declined to comment on the report. Sodexo did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment late on Wednesday.

Sodexo, which provided catering services for the Paris Olympics and Paralympics this summer and axed its voucher business Pluxee in early February, is still raising prices to cushion the impact of high inflation, albeit at a slower pace .