Sponsored By

Aramark launches curated brand for government and military markets

Salute Hospitality includes a visual transformation as well as healthier options, including choices from Aramark’s Eat Well suite of nutritionally balanced menu offerings.

Mike Buzalka, Executive Features Editor

November 9, 2023

2 Min Read
JBMDL-Oct-11-2023-3 uniformed server and customer 1432-1138.png
Members of the military often work as part of the Salute Hospitality team at client locationsAramark Workplace Experience Group

Desiring to serve customers with high-impact, personalized interactions, Aramark’s Workplace Experience Group has created a new curated brand that is tailored to focus solely on the hospitality needs of people in the military and government communities.

“I'm happy to announce our ecosystem continues to strategically evolve—developing creative hospitality solutions that help attract, engage, retain, and expand our government and defense communities,” said Gary Crompton, President and CEO of the Workplace Experience Group in announcing the initiative to coincide with both Veterans Day and Military Family Appreciation Month.

“We are honored to be able to serve those who serve our country,” added Salute Hospitality Vice President Joe Damico. “From every military member or government employee to retired veterans and their families, we create elevated and engaging experiences through a commitment to culinary and hospitality excellence, the knowledge gained from years serving this community, and the world-class training and opportunities we provide to every team member.”

chef_Training-cook-kitchen-716.png

The Salute program includes training of military staff to ensure quality and proper procedures through Salute Hospitality’s chefs and operational leaders

Members of the military often work as part of the Salute Hospitality team at client locations, including 13 US Air Force bases across the country. Customers at those locations have begun to see a visual transformation into the Salute Hospitality experience with updated branding materials that celebrate the military community while providing appetizing, tasty, and on-trend menu options with first-class service.

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

Especially important to active-duty military members, healthier options include choices from Aramark’s Eat Well suite of nutritionally balanced menu offerings.

The Salute program includes training of military staff to ensure quality and proper procedures through Salute Hospitality’s chefs and operational leaders, many of whom have themselves served in various branches of the US military or are military family members. All Salute Hospitality team members who engage with guests front-of-the-house go through Salute Hospitality’s RISE Above training curriculum, which is tailored to guests in the military and government communities and empowers team members to make decisions to ensure their customers have great experiences.

“With our focus on providing nutritious and delicious food, we make sure every associate working in our kitchen receives back-of-the-house instruction on cooking methods, recipe compliance, safety, and more,” Damico explains. “If our team members in the military get deployed, they can help provide that same service to their fellow soldiers. They’ll also gain experience to take with them after they leave the military.”

Related:Top 13 arts/entertainment food service stories of 2023

In fact, Aramark actively engages with the military community through career opportunities, external partnerships such as Hiring Our Heroes, and the Aramark employee resource group, Salute.

Read more about:

Aramark

About the Author

Mike Buzalka

Executive Features Editor, Food Management

Mike Buzalka is executive features editor for Food Management and contributing editor to Restaurant Hospitality, Supermarket News and Nation’s Restaurant News. On Food Management, Mike has lead responsibility for compiling the annual Top 50 Contract Management Companies as well as the K-12, College, Hospital and Senior Dining Power Players listings. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English Literature from John Carroll University. Before joining Food Management in 1998, he served as for eight years as assistant editor and then editor of Foodservice Distributor magazine. Mike’s personal interests range from local sports such as the Cleveland Indians and Browns to classic and modern literature, history and politics.

Mike Buzalka’s areas of expertise include operations, innovation and technology topics in onsite foodservice industry markets like K-12 Schools, Higher Education, Healthcare and Business & Industry.

Mike Buzalka’s experience:

Executive Features Editor, Food Management magazine (2010-present)

Contributing Editor, Restaurant Hospitality, Supermarket News and Nation’s Restaurant News (2016-present)

Associate Editor, Food Management magazine (1998-2010)

Editor, Foodservice Distributor magazine (1997-1998)

Assistant Editor, Foodservice Distributor magazine (1989-1997)

 

Subscribe to FoodService Director Newsletters
Get the foodservice industry news and insights you need for success, right in your inbox.