Exhibit 23

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We have issued our reports dated March 10, 2005, accompanying the
consolidated financial statements and schedule included in the Annual Report of
Healthcare Services Group, Inc. and subsidiaries on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2004. We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference of said
reports in the (i) Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement
(Forms S-8 No. 33-35915) pertaining to the Incentive Stock Option Plan and the
Non-Qualified Stock Option Plans of Healthcare Services Group, Inc. and
subsidiaries, (ii) Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-92835) pertaining to
the Employee Stock Purchase Plan and Deferred Compensation Plan of Healthcare
Services Group, Inc. and subsidiaries, (iii) Registration Statement (Form S-8
No. 333-101063), (iv) Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-46656) (v)
Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 33-58765) (vi) Registration Statement (Form
S-8 No. 333-107467) and (vii) Registration Statement (Form S-3D No. 333-108182).


/s/ Grant Thornton LLP
Edison, New Jersey
March 10, 2005

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                     REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERD PUBLIC
                           ACCOUNTING FIRM ON SCHEDULE

Board of Directors and Stockholders
 HEALTHCARE SERVICES GROUP, INC.


In connection with our audits of the consolidated financial statements of
Healthcare Services Group, Inc. and subsidiaries, referred to in our report
dated March 10, 2005, which is included in the 2004 Annual Report to
Shareholders and is incorporated by reference in Form 10-K, we have also audited
Schedule II for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2004.
In our opinion, this schedule presents fairly, in all material respects, the
information required to be set forth therein.


/s/ Grant Thornton LLP
Edison, New Jersey
March 10, 2005

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