Aramark to end food and concessions services at UK, workers to lose jobs

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) – Aramark Campus, LLC will no longer provide food and concessions services at the University of Kentucky after June 30, and all Aramark employees assigned to the account will be affected by the change.

The company issued a formal notice dated April 29, in compliance with the Federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act — known as the WARN Act.

Aramark expects to permanently terminate the employment of its workers at the university as of June 30. The company noted that most displaced workers typically have continued employment opportunities with the incoming service provider.

Hourly associates already scheduled for summer layoff at the end of the spring semester will not see changes to their last day of service, but they will not be recalled to work for Aramark at the University of Kentucky account.

The University of Kentucky confirmed it notified Aramark 180 days in advance, per provisions of its contract, that the company would not be retained for dining services as of July 1. UK is currently exploring an Enterprise Services Partnership, which includes dining and concessions.

UK spokesperson Jay Blanton said the university expects any incoming partner to bring affected workers on board.

“In fact, the intent of any new partner will be to hire those impacted by this announcement, subject to any new partner’s employment policies. The University has reiterated that commitment to our people and encouraged any new partner to do so.”

Blanton said the university declined to comment on Aramark’s internal employment decisions.

More information about UK’s Enterprise Services Partnership process is available at evpfa.uky.edu/enterprise-services-partnership.