Aramark Collegiate Hospitality is excited to announce its new partnership with Loyola Marymount University (LMU) as the university’s official food service provider. Beginning in May 2025, Aramark will take over the management of all on-campus dining, retail food locations, catering services, and athletic concessions. This collaboration marks a significant step in LMU’s ongoing efforts to enhance campus dining options, emphasizing fresh flavors, increased variety, and an improved overall dining experience for students, faculty, and staff.
A Vision for Dining Excellence
LMU leadership is enthusiastic about the new partnership and the enhancements it will bring to campus dining. Andy O’Reilly, vice president for Auxiliary and Business Services at LMU, expressed optimism about the collaboration, stating, “We’re excited to welcome Aramark as a new partner that matches our long-term vision for on-campus dining excellence at LMU, and we look forward to rolling out innovations that enhance variety, add value, and build community.”
Aramark Collegiate Hospitality is a leading food service provider with a strong presence in higher education institutions across the United States. The company currently serves over 275 campuses nationwide, including the largest number of Jesuit universities of any provider. O’Reilly highlighted that Aramark’s established reputation, commitment to listening to student feedback, and ability to integrate seamlessly into the campus community were key factors in the university’s decision to select them as its food service provider.
Enhancing Dining for the LMU Community
LMU’s decision to partner with Aramark aligns with its commitment to providing high-quality dining experiences that prioritize variety, affordability, and accessibility. University officials are looking forward to revitalizing dining options across campus, ensuring that students, faculty, and staff have access to nutritious and diverse meal choices in an environment designed to foster connection and engagement.
As part of this transformation, LMU is placing a strong emphasis on reimagining dining spaces to create enhanced gathering areas that promote a sense of community. The partnership will introduce upgraded food offerings, including an increased selection of fresh, healthy options. Additionally, a renewed focus on affordability and value will ensure that students can enjoy nutritious meals that fit within their budget.
A Glimpse into the Future of LMU Dining
One of the most significant changes that Aramark will bring to LMU is the introduction of All-You-Care-to-Eat meal plans, set to launch in fall 2026 following the renovation of The Lair, one of the university’s primary dining locations. This initiative is a direct response to student and parent feedback, aiming to provide an unmatched dining experience that maximizes value and convenience for LMU Lions. The renovation, scheduled for summer 2026, will revamp the dining facility to accommodate the new meal plan structure and create a modern, inviting space for students to gather and enjoy their meals.
Before the launch of the new meal plans, students will begin seeing significant updates to their dining experience as early as fall 2025. LMU’s existing dining spaces will feature refreshed, innovative menus curated by Aramark’s culinary team, bringing a wider variety of dishes and enhanced quality to campus meals. Planned updates also include improvements to Founders Pavilion and University Hall dining locations, ensuring that these spaces align with the university’s vision for a modernized, student-centric dining program.
Expanding Options Across Campus
Beyond traditional dining halls, Aramark’s partnership with LMU will introduce new food options across campus to provide greater flexibility and convenience for students and faculty. The agreement includes planned upgrades to Sonia’s on the LLS campus, ensuring that LMU’s law school community benefits from the same high-quality food service improvements as the main campus.
Additionally, new mobile and stand-alone food carts will be deployed around campus, allowing students to grab meals and snacks on the go. This expansion of food service locations is designed to accommodate the busy schedules of LMU students and staff while offering a diverse range of dining options in convenient locations. Whether it’s a quick bite between classes or a full meal during a study session, these mobile units will enhance accessibility and variety for the university community.
A Commitment to Quality and Innovation
Aramark Collegiate Hospitality is eager to bring its industry-leading expertise to LMU and contribute to the university’s efforts to enhance campus life through exceptional dining services. Jack Donovan, President and CEO of Aramark Collegiate Hospitality, shared his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “We are proud to win LMU’s trust and serve as its new hospitality partner. We can’t wait to showcase our residential dining, as well as expanded retail, catering, and concessions capability.”
Aramark’s approach to campus dining prioritizes innovation, sustainability, and responsiveness to student needs. By incorporating cutting-edge culinary trends, environmentally responsible practices, and direct student input, Aramark aims to create a dining program that is both enjoyable and sustainable. The company has a track record of implementing plant-forward menus, locally sourced ingredients, and waste reduction initiatives, all of which align with LMU’s broader sustainability goals.
