Adds details on Compass' third quarter in paragraphs 4-5, background throughout

July 21 (Reuters) - Compass Group CPG.L, the world's largest caterer, reported third-quarter organic revenue growth of 7.1% on Tuesday as strong demand from AI data centres helped offset rising energy and food costs linked to the Iran war.

Shares of the company, which maintained its 2026 outlook, fell over 3% in early trading. Compass had expected to log 7% revenue growth in the quarter, according to a company-compiled consensus.

The food services sector has remained resilient as companies, hospitals and universities increasingly outsource catering, though the Middle East conflict is testing its ability to absorb higher input costs while limiting price rises.

Surrey-based Compass said its Business & Industry segment — its strongest performing division — generated more than $2 billion in new business wins, supported by robust demand for food and support services from AI hyperscalers.

Compass serves office workers at companies including Google GOOGL.O, Amazon AMZN.O and Microsoft MSFT.O. It has also expanded into sectors such as defence, airline lounges and data centres to diversify revenue and hedge against the risk of companies laying off staff as they ramp up AI adoption.

Over the past 12 months, Compass said it secured $4.3 billion of new business wins, up 16% year-on-year, with 50% of new business wins from first-time outsourcing. Net new business growth was also in its 4-5% target range in the quarter.

Volumes in North America, an important market for the caterer, benefitted modestly from the recent World Cup, it said, as it reiterated its annual profit growth target of above 11%.

Compass had raised its 2026 profit outlook in May and said it was insulated from rising costs since about two-thirds of its contracts included dynamic pricing, a practice where prices are adjusted based on demand.

French rival Sodexo EXHO.PA said this month that it expects faster revenue growth from 2027, as it seeks to revive performance through stronger execution and expansion in North America, its largest market.