PHILADELPHIA, PA — Aramark (NYSE: ARMK) has struck a sweeping 15-year partnership with the University at Albany, setting the stage for a major overhaul of campus dining that leaders say will reshape student life when it launches in January 2026.
The agreement calls for a bold reimagining of food, space, and service across the Albany, New York, campus, pairing Aramark’s collegiate hospitality platform with UAlbany’s push to elevate the student experience through inclusivity, innovation, and community connection.
“At UAlbany, we believe a world-class education should be matched by a world-class environment,” said Michael Ramella, executive director of University Auxiliary Services. He described the partnership as an investment in student well-being and campus culture, not simply a refresh of dining options.
Operating under the banner of Great Dane Hospitality, Aramark will introduce what it calls a dynamic hospitality ecosystem aimed at turning dining venues into social hubs. The plan includes globally inspired menus, redesigned gathering spaces, and technology-driven convenience for students, faculty, and staff.
Among the centerpiece projects is District East, an all-you-care-to-enjoy food hall designed to expand choice and serve as a central campus destination. A Global Food Emporium, developed with UAlbany alumnus and restaurateur Jamal Rasoully, will showcase cuisines from Asia, India, the Middle East, Latin America, and beyond.
Technology will play a prominent role, with mobile ordering, self-checkout kiosks, and data-driven menu optimization aimed at improving speed and accessibility. The partnership also brings experiential learning into the mix, including a student-operated Saxbys café at the Massry School of Business, giving students hands-on exposure to hospitality and entrepreneurship.
Inclusive dining is another pillar of the initiative, with menus designed to accommodate halal, kosher, plant-based, allergen-friendly, and performance-focused athletic nutrition 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. She said the collaboration aims to set a new benchmark for collegiate dining while driving engagement and long-term growth.
For Aramark, the deal extends its footprint in higher education with one of New York’s flagship public research universities. For UAlbany, it signals an ambitious bet that dining can be a defining element of campus life—one designed not just to feed students, but to bring them together.
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