LMU has selected Aramark Collegiate Hospitality as its food services provider, bringing fresh flavors, expanded options, and an enhanced experience for the LMU community. With this change, Aramark will replace Sodexo and will manage all on-campus dining, retail, catering, and athletic concessions beginning May 24, 2025.
The decision reflects LMU’s commitment to high-quality campus dining options that prioritize value and choice for students, faculty, and staff. It follows a careful proposal and consideration process incorporating a diverse group of stakeholders and community feedback while evaluating multiple candidates.
All-You-Care-to-Eat Meal Plan Program and Lair Renovations
One of the biggest changes to the LMU dining program with Aramark will be the introduction of All-You-Care-to-Eat (AYCTE) meal plans, set to launch in fall 2026 following a renovation of the Lair that summer. With the AYCTE model, meal plan holders receive a combination of Lion Dollars and meal swipes, allowing for unlimited dining per access to the Lair. The upgrade marks a significant change guided by student and parent feedback, providing unmatched value and a new overall dining experience for LMU Lions.
What Else to Expect
Along with Aramark, LMU is looking forward to refreshing dining across campus – with an emphasis on enhanced spaces for gathering and community building, upgraded healthy food choices, and student value. Beginning in fall 2025, expect to see refreshed menus at existing dining spaces. The partnership also includes planned updates to Founders Pavilion and University Hall dining options, Sonia’s on the LLS campus, and new mobile and stand-alone food carts around campus for on-the-go eating. The campus coffee and boba carts will continue to be operated by the Yu family.
“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,” said Andy O’Reilly, vice president for Auxiliary and Business Services at LMU. “We also want to acknowledge Sodexo, which has been a consistent food services partner with LMU for decades. Their partnership has been integral to the success of LMU and our overall campus experience, and I want to extend our gratitude for their service as our work together concludes.”
A Seamless Transition
Recognizing the strong connections students have with dining staff, as part of the new partnership with Aramark there will be an emphasis on food service employee retention throughout the transition. Hourly on-campus Sodexo employees will have the opportunity to retain their current positions, titles, and wages – allowing for job security and continuity of services. Aramark will work closely with all current Sodexo employees, including hosting meet and greets Feb. 20 and 21 at the Westchester and LLS campuses.
LMU does not anticipate interruptions to dining services, schedules, or operating hours as the new partnership with Aramark takes effect this summer.
A leader in campus dining, Aramark serves more than 275 universities and colleges in the U.S., including the largest number of Jesuit universities of any provider.
For more information, visit our FAQs page here.
