Le Cercle

Founded in 2016 by Pierre Cornet Vernet, Le Cercle is a pioneer in providing eco-responsible meal trays and catering services to businesses in the Île-de-France region. The company was established to combat the significant waste generated by disposable food packaging in corporate catering, which amounts to the equivalent of six Eiffel Towers in waste daily in Paris.

Le Cercle’s business model is centered on a circular economy, offering high-quality, chic meal trays in 100% reusable containers. These containers, designed by Nathalie Rives, are made from 94% vegetable residue and can be reused up to 500 times. The company manages the entire loop, from delivering delicious meals made with fresh, seasonal, and locally sourced ingredients to picking up the used containers with electric vehicles for cleaning and reuse. This approach reduces CO2 emissions by 33% and increases local employment hours by 44% compared to a conventional meal tray service.

The company serves a diverse client base of all sizes and sectors, including notable names like LVMH, BNP Paribas, and Ledger. Its offerings include individual meal trays, buffets, and finger food for various corporate events. In line with its strong social commitment, Le Cercle established a partnership with ESAT l'Envol in 2021, integrating people with disabilities into its workforce. This initiative allows client companies to earn deductible credits toward their disability employment tax. In April 2025, FrenchFood Capital and Bpifrance invested in the company, and Nathalie Grand-Morin, who had been CEO since 2018, was appointed President-CEO.

Keywords: corporate catering, zero-waste, reusable packaging, meal trays, sustainable food service, circular economy, B2B food delivery, eco-responsible catering, Parisian caterer, social responsibility, local sourcing, seasonal menu, corporate events, sustainable business, food tech, impact investing, ESAT partnership, electric vehicle delivery, food waste reduction, corporate wellness