5 things: Aramark’s US FSS unit continues resurgence with 51% Q2 revenue increase

In this edition of 5 Things, Food Management highlights five things you may have missed recently about developments affecting onsite dining.

Here’s your list for today:

Aramark's U.S. Food & Support Services unit saw a revenue increase of 51% (45% organic) in the second quarter of its 2022 fiscal year compared to the same quarter in FY2021, building on its 68% increase in Q1 and the 51% and 55% increases in the last two quarters of FY2021.

In the individual markets, Education saw meal plans in college accounts at or above pre-COVID levels and campus retail sales continuing to recover while in-person attendance continued to increase in K-12 as universal government-sponsored programs remained in place over the 2021-22 academic year.

B&I saw clients gradually returning to workplaces, particularly at the end of the quarter, and increased in-person activity was enhanced by greater participation rates, meal subsidies and customized offerings.

Healthcare saw higher levels of patient meals even as retail activity remained lower and the sports/leisure unit saw significantly improved year-over-year performance led by increased fan attendance in pro sports, with strong per-capita spending growth realized from expanded brand concepts and cashless solutions.

Related:5 things: Health system sues to change meal break rules

Read more: Aramark Reports Second Quarter Earnings

Nearly 2,000 employees of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles went on strike outside of their workplace on May 9 following what they have described as "unfair labor practices as well as employee and patient safety concerns, short-staffing and low wage." The striking employees are members of Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West and include food service technicians as well as certified nursing assistants, surgical technicians, sterile processing technicians, transporters, environmental service workers and plant operation workers.

Read more: 2,000 Cedars-Sinai Workers Begin Week-Long Strike

In its most recent sustainability report for the 2021 fiscal year, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center shared the techniques it has used to improve its sustainability and drive down its impact on climate change, such as using donation and a food waste digester to stop almost 160 tons of food going into landfill. Also, using a reusable sharps container prevented 7.5 tons of plastic going to landfill while 16% of the food in the system is now sourced locally, reducing transportation emissions and supporting local producers.

Related:5 tech things: Drone flies over road construction to deliver tacos to Florida family

Read more: 6 ways Wexner Medical Center cut its emissions, improved sustainability

Fifteen students at Wayzata High School in Minnesota have volunteered to help the short-staffed cafeteria crew prepare and serve lunch to the school's roughly 2,800 students. For a while, school staff members helped to fill the foodservice labor gaps, but then the school decided to see if students had any interest. Officially, the 15 student cafeteria employees are part of a work experience class, earning both a credit and nearly $17 an hour.

Read more: Wayzata Students Help Fill Cafeteria Staffing Void

Starting fall 2022, Kansas State University (KSU) will require all first-year students to live on campus for two semesters, the school's first freshman residency policy since 1986. On-campus living for the 2022-23 school year ranges between $4,740-$6,950 a semester with students choosing a room type, residence hall and a meal plan, all with varying costs and amenities. “The intent [of this policy] is to help students have a community here on-campus,” said Derek Jackson, associate vice president of student life and director of Housing and Dining Services, adding that the change also aims to help students perform better academically. “On-campus students have a 2.9 GPA for freshmen,” he noted. “Off-campus has a 2.39. The retention rate is almost 90% for freshmen who live on-campus. For freshmen who live off-campus, it’s in the 60%.”

Read more: On-campus living required for first-year students starting next semester

Bonus: Viewpoint: How Michigan State’s Chef Kurt Kwiatkowski builds bridges with Muslim community through cuisine

Contact Mike Buzalka at [email protected]