Aramark Collegiate Hospitality and the University at Albany Forge Partnership to Integrate Campus Dining into the Learning Environment

Key Terms

mobile ordering technical

Mobile ordering is the ability for customers to place and pay for goods or services using a smartphone or tablet app or mobile website, acting like a digital storefront in your pocket. It matters to investors because it can boost sales, reduce transaction costs, gather customer data for better targeting, and improve repeat business—changes that can raise revenue, margins, and long-term value for companies that adopt it well.

self-checkout kiosks technical

Self-checkout kiosks are unmanned machines in stores that let customers scan, bag and pay for items themselves instead of using a cashier; think of them as a vending machine for the whole checkout process. For investors they matter because they can lower labor costs and speed service, potentially boosting margins and sales, but they also carry risks such as higher theft, maintenance expenses and mixed effects on customer satisfaction.

data-driven menu optimization technical

Data-driven menu optimization is the practice of using sales figures, customer preferences, ingredient costs and operational data to decide which dishes to offer, how to price them, and how to present or promote them. It matters to investors because small changes guided by real data can boost revenue, cut food waste and labor costs, and shorten service times—signals that management can improve profit margins and grow cash flow without relying solely on higher sales volume.

PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Aramark (NYSE: ARMK) today announced a landmark 15-year partnership with the University at Albany (UAlbany), a public research university in Albany, NY, to deliver a bold new vision for campus dining. Launching this January 2026, this collaboration will redefine the student dining experience through innovation, inclusivity, and community engagement.

Aramark today announced a landmark 15-year partnership with the University at Albany (UAlbany), a public research university in Albany, NY, to deliver a bold new vision for campus dining. Launching this January 2026, this collaboration will redefine the student dining experience through innovation, inclusivity, and community engagement.

“At UAlbany, we believe a world-class education should be matched by a world-class environment. Our partnership with Aramark Collegiate Hospitality ensures that our services will set a new benchmark for collegiate excellence," said Michael Ramella, Executive Director of University Auxiliary Services (UAS). "For UAS, this initiative is more than a service upgrade; it is a dedicated investment in student well-being, community connection, and the holistic success of our diverse student body.”

Under the banner of Great Dane Hospitality, Aramark is introducing a dynamic hospitality ecosystem designed to elevate UAlbany as a premier dining program featuring globally inspired menus, cutting-edge technology, and vibrant social spaces to foster connection and belonging for students, faculty, and staff.

Anticipated highlights of the partnership include:

• District East – A transformative all-you-care-to-enjoy food hall designed to offer value, expanded availability of options, and a vibrant campus hub.
• Global Food Emporium – Developed in collaboration with UAlbany alumnus and restaurateur Jamal Rasoully, featuring diverse cuisines from Asia, India, the Middle East, Latin America, and beyond.
• Technology-Enabled Convenience – Mobile ordering, self-checkout kiosks, and data-driven menu optimization to enhance speed and accessibility.
• Experiential Learning – A student-operated Saxbys café at the Massry School of Business, offering hands-on opportunities in hospitality and entrepreneurship.
• Inclusive Dining – Menus that accommodate halal, kosher, plant-based, allergen-friendly, and performance-driven athletic dining needs.

“This partnership is about more than food—it’s about creating an experience that supports student success and strengthens campus life,” said Barbara Flanagan, President and CEO of Aramark Collegiate Hospitality. “Together with UAlbany, we will deliver a world-class dining program that reflects the University’s culture and values while driving measurable growth and engagement.”

The collaboration underscores Aramark’s commitment to growth and innovation in higher education dining. The initiative leverages data-driven strategies and a simplified meal plan structure to simultaneously improve food accessibility for the broader campus population and drive substantial increases in retail and catering revenue.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260107525654/en/

Media contact -- Heather Dotchel, dotchel-heather@aramark.com

Source: Aramark