PHILADELPHIA, PA — Aramark (NYSE: ARMK) reported higher revenue for the first quarter of fiscal 2026, driven by base business growth and net new business, while earnings declined compared with a year earlier.
The food and facilities management company posted revenue of $4,831,549,000 for the quarter ended January 2, 2026, up 6% from $4,552,086,000 in the same period a year earlier, according to its earnings release.
Operating income was $217,549,000, compared with $217,264,000 in the prior-year quarter. Net income attributable to Aramark stockholders totaled $96,161,000, down from $105,619,000 a year earlier.
Diluted earnings per share were $0.36, compared with $0.39 in the prior year, an 8.2% decrease. Adjusted earnings per share were $0.51, unchanged from the prior-year quarter.
The company said a calendar shift related to a 53rd week in fiscal 2025 reduced first-quarter revenue growth by an estimated 3% and affected operating income and earnings comparisons.
By segment, Food and Support Services United States reported revenue of $3,362,106,000, up 2% year over year, while Food and Support Services International revenue rose 17% to $1,469,443,000.
Operating income in the United States segment declined 3% to $188,748,000, while international operating income increased 11% to $59,790,000.
For the quarter, net cash used in operating activities was $782,200,000, compared with $587,152,000 a year earlier. Free cash flow was negative $902,233,000.
During the quarter, Aramark repurchased $30 million of its common stock and completed a repricing of its $2.4 billion 2030 Term Loan B, reducing the applicable interest rate by 25 basis points.
The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.12 per share, payable March 4, 2026, to stockholders of record as of February 18, 2026.
Aramark said it expects full-year fiscal 2026 revenue between $19,550,000,000 and $19,950,000,000, representing organic growth of 7% to 9%, and adjusted earnings per share between $2.18 and $2.28.
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