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