Four buy-out firms chasing caterer Compass Group's motorway service stations, have individually approached Autogrill, an Italian service station operator also bidding for the business, with a view to teaming up for the second round of the auction.

Il Sole 24 Ore, the Italian daily newspaper, reports that UK private equity houses Terra Firma and BC Partners, as well as Australian investment bank Macquarie and US buy-out firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice have all approached Autogrill.