Aramark Collegiate Hospitality announced a 15‑year dining partnership with the University at Albany (UAlbany) that will take effect on January 1 2026. The agreement, branded as Great Dane Hospitality, makes Aramark the sole provider of food, hospitality, and related services for the university’s students, faculty, and staff.
The partnership comes on the heels of Aramark’s strong 2025 performance, when the company reported $18.5 billion in revenue, up 7% year‑over‑year, and guided 2026 organic revenue growth of 7%‑9%. The new contract is expected to add incremental retail and catering revenue, helping to sustain the company’s projected growth trajectory for the coming year.
UAlbany’s previous food‑service provider, Sodexo, had its contract expire at the end of 2025. Aramark won the bid and hired all of Sodexo’s hourly workers, ensuring a smooth transition. The partnership aligns with UAlbany’s “THRIVE” student‑well‑being framework and includes initiatives such as tech‑free “Take 15” lounges and a student‑operated Saxbys café in the business school, underscoring a focus on experiential learning and campus engagement.
CEO John Zillmer highlighted the deal as part of Aramark’s record new‑business performance, noting a 96.3% client‑retention rate in 2025. Barbara Flanagan, President and CEO of Aramark Collegiate Hospitality, said the partnership “is about more than food—it’s about creating an experience that supports student success and strengthens campus life.”
Aramark competes with Sodexo and Chartwells in the higher‑education dining market. Securing a 15‑year contract with a public research university adds to the company’s portfolio of over 315 U.S. institutions and reinforces its market share in a high‑growth segment.
The deal demonstrates Aramark’s strategy to deploy AI‑driven operational tools and data‑driven menu planning across its campuses. By integrating technology‑enabled dining spaces and globally inspired menus, the company aims to boost student well‑being, increase retail and catering revenue, and further embed its services in the university ecosystem.
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