UCCS Partners With Aramark To Operate And Enhance Campus Dining - 08/05/26
UCCS has partnered with Aramark Collegiate Hospitality to operate and enhance campus dining, retail dining, catering and hospitality programs across campus.
The university selected Aramark Collegiate Hospitality based on a shared commitment to student success, operational excellence, and collaborative innovation. The new dining program will introduce enhanced retail dining options, expanded food and beverage offerings, strategic partnerships with national and local restaurant brands, and opportunities for student-developed concepts and entrepreneurial initiatives.
In addition to elevating campus dining, the partnership will expand community-building experiences through themed events, cultural celebrations, social dining programs, and hospitality experiences designed to increase student engagement and campus connection.
“At UCCS, we are committed to providing a university experience that supports our students in every aspect of campus life,” said University of Colorado Colorado Springs Chancellor Jennifer Sobanet. “Dining is an important part of that experience, and our partnership with Aramark reflects that commitment by bringing more variety, new concepts, and continued enhancements to dining on campus. We look forward to working together to further enrich the UCCS experience.”
Through the partnership, Aramark Collegiate Hospitality and UCCS will create customized hospitality experiences that serve the needs of a growing and diverse community of students, faculty, staff, and campus visitors. The program will combine Aramark’s proprietary dining concepts with national brands, local restaurants, and regional food partners to deliver a campus dining experience that reflects the character of Colorado Springs and the UCCS community.
Menus and dining solutions will prioritize food quality, convenience, health and wellness, sustainability, and menu variety. Technology-enabled tools and digital solutions will support a seamless guest experience while improving operational efficiency and service delivery throughout campus dining locations.
Aramark Collegiate Hospitality will also oversee catering and event hospitality services across campus, including operations at the Ent Center for the Performing Arts, further enhancing the university’s ability to serve students, faculty, guests, and community partners.
“UCCS’s commitment to innovation and student success makes them an ideal partner for Aramark,” said Barbara Flanagan, President and CEO of Aramark Collegiate Hospitality. “Together, we’re creating a dining and hospitality program that reflects the unique culture of the Mountain Lion community while preparing for the future of higher education dining. As Gen Alpha students begin arriving on college campuses in the years ahead, expectations around wellness, convenience, personalization, and meaningful dining experiences will continue to evolve. Our partnership positions UCCS at the forefront of those changes.”
The partnership represents Aramark Collegiate Hospitality’s first collaboration within the University of Colorado System, strengthening the company’s growing presence in Colorado and expanding its commitment to supporting public higher education institutions through innovative campus dining solutions and student-centered hospitality programs.