5 things: Aramark’s U.S. food/support services unit sees 17% revenue gain in fiscal 2023

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:

 1.    Aramark’s U.S. food/support services unit sees 17% revenue gain in fiscal 2023

Aramark reported a 17% (15% organic) increase in its 2023 fiscal year compared to FY 2022 for its U.S. Food & Support Services unit, boasting total revenues of $11.72 billion. The company as a whole saw a 15% (16% organic) increase over the same period.

Read more: Aramark Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year Fiscal 2023 Results

 2.    Portland Schools offer free meals during teachers strike

Portland Public Schools in Oregon is offering free breakfast and lunch meals between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursday sat nearly five dozen schools as it deals with a teachers strike. The district served 16,273 breakfasts or lunches in the three days of meal service at the beginning of November.

Read more: Schools offer free meals during the Portland teachers' strike

 3.    Mississippi State Dining to undergo major overhaul

Mississippi State University and its dining contractor Aramark are modernizing campus dining services through a $30 million project to renovate and relocate dining options on campus. MSU’s current contract with Aramark is coming to an end, and the two entities have designed a new master dining plan that will have the Marketplace at Perry undergoing a comprehensive remodel, the Starbucks, Subway and State Fountain Bakery units being relocated, all of the dining options along Lee Boulevard receiving refreshed spaces, and a new sushi and noodle restaurant replace the University Florist outlet.

Related:5 things: New York style deli opens unit in medical center

Read more: MSU dining to experience $30 million modernization

 4.    Vizient adds vegan products vendor for healthcare clients

Rebellyous Foods, a Seattle-based food manufacturing technology company specializing in plant-based products, has successfully secured a significant distribution contract with the Vizient group purchasing organization representing the healthcare sector and various educational institutions. The partnership aims to address the scarcity of vegan options in healthcare settings by making Rebellyous Foods’ plant-based chicken products accessible to Vizient's network of institutions.

Read more: Rebellyous Foods and Vizient are Bringing Plant-Based Options to Healthcare Facilities

 5.    Bonefish Grill to open at Ft. Lauderdale airport

Delaware North has opened casual-dining seafood restaurant Bonefish Grill at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. The 115-seat, 4,500 sq.ft. restaurant is located post-security in Terminal 3 and offers a menu that includes options for children along with breakfast, lunch and dinner and a full bar that features beer, wine and spirits.

Related:5 tech things: Towson University debuts new 24/7 store

Read more: Delaware North unveils seafood restaurant Bonefish Grill at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport

Bonus: Top 12 business and industry food service stories of 2023

Contact Mike Buzalka at [email protected]