Jacques Borel (businessman)

Jacques Borel (born 1927, died 2002) was a French businessman best known for his pioneering role in the development of restaurant vouchers, particularly the Ticket Restaurant system, and for his work in the hospitality and catering industries.

Borel founded the company "Société Générale de Services Hôteliers," which later became Accor, one of the largest hotel groups in the world. Initially, Accor focused on providing catering and support services to businesses.

His key innovation was the introduction of the Ticket Restaurant in France in 1962. This system, inspired by similar models in other countries, allowed companies to provide employees with vouchers that could be used to purchase meals at participating restaurants. This significantly improved employee benefits and boosted the restaurant industry. The Ticket Restaurant concept subsequently expanded internationally, becoming a widely recognized and successful benefit program.

Throughout his career, Borel held various leadership positions within Accor and remained a prominent figure in the French business community. His entrepreneurial spirit and innovative ideas had a significant and lasting impact on the hospitality and employee benefits sectors. He is credited with modernizing the French restaurant voucher system and contributing to the growth of the Accor group into a global leader.