For college and university students, dining on campus is about more than just great, on-trend food options. The dining halls provide a place for students to relax, hang out with friends, and feel a sense of connection.
To foster that environment of community, connection, and communication, Aramark Collegiate Hospitality has created All For You, a consumer engagement series to further interact with and delight students.
“All For You features events planned throughout the academic year that are designed to engage students in fun ways,” said Karen Parker, Chief Marketing Officer, Aramark Collegiate Hospitality. “They are a way to build community—and spark conversations while students share a meal.”
Aramark Collegiate Hospitality’s ongoing conversations with their Council of Student Advisors have proven that dining events are more impactful with activities, and students today crave opportunities to connect through food and interactions with their peers.
To bring that insight to fruition, in spring 2023 Aramark Collegiate Hospitality initiated All For You customer appreciation events across hundreds of client locations. More recently in November and December, students were treated to Friendsgiving and Exam Cram events.
Thankful For You: Friendsgiving
To celebrate Thanksgiving, campuses hosted a variety of interactive events in coordination with their planned holiday menus that featured traditional comfort foods such as turkey and campus-favorite Thanksgiving sides.
During the “Thankful For You” Friendsgiving events, students, faculty and staff listed what they’re thankful for on paper leaves to display throughout the dining halls.
They received special treats during the day, including iced and hot coffee drinks, warm apple cider that they customized, and special desserts and snacks.
The team at University of North Carolina – Wilmington even organized an activity through the campus food pantry in which students created sandwiches and other meals for students facing food insecurity.
The Aramark Collegiate Hospitality team provided each campus with event kits including banners, leaves, stickers, buttons for employees to wear, social media graphics and ideas, and customized warm drink sleeves.
The event was just another example of how the Aramark team works to intentionally interweave their services and employees into the fabric of the university—and to spark emotional connections with students, faculty, and staff.
You Got This: Exam Cram!
As any student can attest, final exams can be a particularly stressful time.
To ease the tension, and support students’ success, Aramark Collegiate Hospitality planned activities in early December to surprise and delight students and offer encouragement during final exams.
Students received special tasty and nutritious study snacks at mobile carts, pop-up stations, dining halls, and other study areas around campus.
At University of Delaware, the team encouraged students through a week-long series of events, including a free Dunkin' iced coffee pop-up, popcorn bar, donut wall, and fondue bar. The highlight of the week was a special dinner with slow-cooked ribs, homemade mac and cheese, shrimp skewers, s'more dessert pizza, baked potato bar, cheesecake, and more.
Campuses received engagement emails and social media ideas to support the events, along with banners and other marketing materials.
