In Brief 2008-06-01

Former Google Global Foodservice Manager John Dickman has joined Apple, Inc., as director of foodservice. Apple's self-operated foodservice operations are expected to be enhanced with a new campus and multiple cafes.

Morrison Management Specialists will offer freshly prepared Weight Watchers branded menu items in more than 300 of its hospital cafés nationwide. The rollout will begin in 60 locations in 2008 and is expected to be complete within the next five years.

Compass Group plc posted a sales increase of 7.9 percent, to 5.6 billion pounds ($10.85 billion), in the first half of its 2008 fiscal year. Net income rose to 213 million pounds ($413 million).

Former Harvard Dining Services Director Michael Berry has joined Aramark as New England regional vice president for Aramark Educational Services. Berry has also held senior executive positions with Disney, Barnes & Noble, The Cheesecake Factory and Back Bay Restaurant Group

Aramark has named Mark Bruno president of its Stadiums and Arenas unit. He will have operational responsibility for more than 130 venues across the country and report to Liza Cartmell, group president of Aramark Sports and Entertainment. The appointment is effective October 1, following completion of his responsibilities as vice president of Olympic catering for Aramark at the Beijing Summer Games.

Ovations Food Services has won the contract to provide food services at the Atlantic City Convention Center and Boardwalk Hall, as well as the Mann Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia. Ovations manages dining and banquet services at more than 85 venues across North America.

Detroit Public Schools will terminate its foodservice contract with Aramark on June 30 and consider returning to self-operation in the fall. The district's board of education voted unanimously for the changes, as well as for hiring an executive director of foodservice.

The University of Texas-San Antonio has selected Aramark as its new dining services provider. The company is expected to add a number of new branded concepts, including Taco Cabana, Chick-fil-A, Panda Express and Wendy's.

New Haven (CT) Public Schools has decided to return its foodservice operations to in-house management. The district has an enrollment of around 20,000.

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