We are passionate about food -

about its quality and freshness and how and where it is served.

Because we value our relationships,

we treat customers as long-term partners, and each other with candour and respect

Because we succeed through performance,

we encourage the entrepreneur in each of us, and work always to improve our service.

Because we thrive on growth,

we seek new markets and new opportunities, and we innovate to get and keep customers

And because we're ARAMARK,

we do everything with integrity

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Our Story

ARAMARK has a unique history that started in the boot of a Dodge in 1936 and has developed into the multi-national corporation that it is today.

1930s

  • 1936
    Davre Davidson begins the Los Angeles company that will eventually become ARAMARK.

  • 1939
    Davre Davidson and his brother, Henry, become business partners through the formation of Davidson Brothers. The company flourishes under their joint management and eventually becomes the largest independent vending operator in the United States.

1940s

  • 1940
    William Fishman, believing there was a promising future in vending, purchases 200 candy and cigarette machines and enters into the vending industry.

1950s

  • 1959
    The Davidson brothers and William Fishman combine their companies to create ARA.

1960s

  • 1960
    ARA makes its debut as a public company. By the end of the year, ARA revenues top $37 million and the company operates in 19 states.

  • 1967
    ARA broadens its activity in Canada through an equity investment in Versafood Services, Ltd., Canada's leading food service company at the time.

  • 1968
    ARA serves its first Olympics at the Summer Games in Mexico City. That same year, the company acquires District News and enters the magazine and book publishing business

  • 1969
    ARA officially becomes ARA Services, to reflect its growing range of businesses.

ARAMARK Enters the United Kingdom

1970s

  • 1972
    ARA enters the UK via acquisition of Eurovending Industries, Glen Automatic Refreshment Services and Cadbury Schweppes Vending Operation.

  • 1973
    ARA moves into food service in the UK with the acquisition of West Riding Caterers and Lancashire Catering Services.

  • 1976
    ARA expands to the Far East and opens its first business in Japan.

  • 1977
    Following further acquisitions in the UK, ARA reorganises under a new group company: ARA Food Services.

1980s

  • 1984
    Joe Neubauer joins ARA and helps Davidson and Fishman fend off a hostile takeover bid, leading to a management buyout that puts 70% of the company in employee hands.

1990s

  • 1993
    ARA acquires Stuart Cabeldu Catering in the UK.

  • 1994
    ARA's emphasis moves from service to partnership. ARA assumes a new corporate identity as ARAMARK, which reflects this change in relationship and scope.

2000 and beyond

  • 2000
    In the British Isles, ARAMARK enters a joint venture with Campbell Catering creating the third largest contract caterer in the UK and the largest in Ireland.

  • 2000
    FORTUNE magazine names ARAMARK one of America's 100 Most Admired Companies. In 2002, 2003 and 2006 the magazine names ARAMARK America's No. 1 Diversified Outsourcing company.

  • 2001
    ARAMARK again lists on the New York Stock Exchange, this time under the ticker symbol RMK. The company's revenues reach approximately $8 billion.

  • 2004
    ARAMARK acquires Catering Alliance, the sixth largest contract caterer in the UK.

  • 2006
    A group of investors led by Joseph L. Neubauer proposed the acquisition of all outstanding shares of the company, a move shareholders overwhelmingly voted to approve. The acquisition was completed on 26 January 2007.

  • 2008
    Winner of the Cost Sector Catering Corporate Responsibility and Contract Caterer Awards 2008

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