King's awards food service contract to Aramark Canada – preparations begin for $800,000 renovation of Thames Market

After a five month consultative process, Aramark Canada Ltd. was awarded the food services contract with King's University College continuing a 20-year relationship. Aramark is now set to renovate the Thames Market servery and dining room and will bring in new food options. The new cafeteria will be completed in time for the start of the 2015-16 academic year. 

A selection committee comprised of both students and administrators met over five months reviewing proposals from competing companies for the contract. 

As well, significant input was recieved from the King's community via a widely-distributed survey completed by nearly 300 respondents. Some strong themes emerged from both the solicited and unsolicited feedback including a positive common voice that Aramark front-line staff provided high levels of service and that the Aramark staff were a good fit with the culture of King's. Survey respondents said that they felt that the Aramark staff "knew them and cared about them" as customers and members of the King's community. 

In total, four companies applied for the food services contract when it was posted for proposals in December 2014. Three companies were selected and made presentations in February 2015. The Committee then completed a round of questions and entered into negotiations with the final candidate. The awarding of the contract to Aramark was approved by the King's Board of Directors on April 29th, 2015.

"Aramark has been a long serving partner of the College," says Jeff Major, Vice-Principal, Finance and Support Services. "This new agreement enhances our partnership as students and the administration were able to provide feedback to Aramark and we will now participate more actively in all food services processes". King's has met with Aramark to discuss survey feedback and in response the company has already begun to implement changes, especially in the area of catering. 

Aramark is now moving forward with an estimated $800,000 renovation of the Thames Market servery and dining room including new furniture, flooring and food choices. A Subway counter will be installed and a new food station, Su & Shi, modelled after the popular Japanese ramen noodle bars, will be operational by September 2015.