From Bold Culinary Creations to Enhanced Fan Experiences, Aramark Continues to Transform NCAA Gameday
Across NCAA campuses nationwide, Aramark is transforming the university atmosphere by bringing a major-league experience to gamedays this season. Through innovative culinary programs, enhanced hospitality offerings, and technology-driven convenience, Aramark is helping institutions create unforgettable moments for alumni, donors, students, student-athletes, and fans.
This season, Aramark's culinary teams are introducing bold menu innovations, specialty packaging, and first-of-their-kind concepts designed to celebrate each school's unique traditions and culture while enhancing the overall fan experience.
"The future of college gameday is about more than concessions. It's about creating moments fans remember and environments they want to return to," said Kris Armes, Vice President of Collegiate Athletics, Aramark Sports + Entertainment. "Across the country, we're helping universities transform their venues through innovative dining concepts, elevated hospitality, and frictionless technology, bringing major-league experiences to campus while staying true to the traditions that make college athletics special."
What's New Across NCAA Campuses This Season
Across Aramark's collegiate athletics portfolio, including new partnerships with Florida State University and Texas State University, fans will experience an expanded lineup of proprietary dining concepts. From Big Dippers Chicken to Crunch Loaded Nachos, these brands deliver high-quality gameday favorites while adding excitement and variety to the fan experience.
- Arizona State University: Sun Devil fans can enjoy an expanded lineup of gameday offerings this season, highlighted by the new Brisket Burn, featuring slow-smoked beef brisket stacked high with melted Colby Jack cheese, topped with jalapeño bacon jam. A new Taco Bar will serve specialty tacos alongside signature stadium nachos, adding even more variety to the gameday lineup. ASU is also expanding food offerings on the Sundeck, featuring unique and rotating gameday selections designed to enhance the fan experience throughout the season.
- Coastal Carolina University: Following the successful launch of its complimentary concessions program, Coastal Carolina continues to enhance accessibility and value for fans, helping create a more inclusive, fan-friendly gameday experience.
- James Madison University: A beloved campus favorite is making its gameday debut with a miniature Peanut Butter Pie, giving fans a sweet new way to celebrate the Dukes. Guests can also take home a custom Bridgeforth Stadium koozie.
- Louisiana State University: Tiger Stadium is turning up the Louisiana flavor with new menu additions, including Boudin Crawfish Nachos and the 3rd & Footlong Banh Mi Dog. Fans 21+ with valid government-issued ID can also enjoy frozen alcoholic beverage offerings such as the Neck-Te' Spiked Slushie and Mang-Geaux Tangeaux Slushie.
- University of Nebraska: Cornhusker fans can enjoy the new Footlong Ribwich, featuring maple barbecue boneless riblets, onions, and dill pickles piled onto a Rotella hoagie. Fans can also order Boneyard Wings, featuring juicy chicken wings tossed in a choice of Sweet & Smokey BBQ Spice or Buffalo Spice, served with ranch.
- Southern Methodist University: SMU is unveiling a fully reimagined concourse featuring several new student-focused destinations, including signature fan favorite gameday items. Enhanced technology throughout the space is designed to create faster, more seamless transactions, and improve the overall fan experience.
- Tulane University: Tulane is introducing several new food and beverage concepts this season, including a Guinness Brat and Frozen Guinness Espresso Martini at the Guinness Bar, available to fans 21+ with valid government-issued ID. Fans can try the Angry Leg, a large smoked turkey leg served with spicy New Orleans BBQ sauce, Thai Fried Pork Ribs, and the Louisiana Crawfish Roll, along with the returning fan-favorite Beignet Chicken Sandwich. The Glazer Family Suites Club debuts a rotating "Taste of the Opponent" menu celebrating each visiting team's hometown flavors.
- University of Arizona: New gameday offerings include the Southwest Big XII Dog, featuring Hatch chile pulled pork and queso blanco, as well as The Zookeeper, an over-the-top burger stacked with beef, chicken, bacon, Spam, egg, cheddar, pepper jack, mozzarella, and peanut butter and jelly. The new menu additions arrive as the university celebrates the 100th anniversary of its iconic "Bear Down!" slogan.
- University of Minnesota: New gameday offerings include Smash Burger Tacos, Spam Fries, and Sushi Flip Pops, hand-rolled sushi served in a push-pop tube through a local partnership with Sushi Flip. Fans can also collect limited-edition souvenir cups featuring Golden Gopher football standouts and this season's commemorative Cooler Cup.
- University of South Carolina: To streamline the gameday experience, Aramark is introducing 39 new VisioLab self-checkout units, enabling fans to quickly complete purchases and return to the action.
- University of Virginia: New items include Crab Waffle Fries with fresh lump crab meat and house-made cheddar cheese sauce, and Pizza Bites filled with mozzarella cheese and marinara sauce.
- University of Washington: Husky Stadium is debuting a lineup of branded food destinations across the venue, including U Dub Dough, Husky Burger, Tailgate Tenders, UW Cantina and Big Dawgs, making it easier for fans to find their gameday favorites.
- Virginia Tech: Hokies fans can enjoy new menu items this season, including the Gobbler Bowl, the Hokie Bird Burner, and the Worsham Waffle, topped with strawberries, whipped cream, chocolate syrup, and sprinkles. Fans will also find two new loaded-food concepts, Mac & Co., a loaded mac and cheese stand and Enter Fryman, a loaded waffle fry stand, along with a new Dessert Food Truck.
- Washington State University: New offerings include family-sized Footlong Nachos, a take-home Catnip Popcorn souvenir bucket, the SZZL Deluxe ½-Pound Burger, and updated club-level concession concepts.
These additions are part of a broader lineup of new offerings launching across Aramark-supported campuses this season. From innovative menu items and proprietary dining concepts to enhanced hospitality spaces and technology upgrades, universities nationwide are continuing to redefine what college gamedays can be.
Building What’s Next in College Athletics
As colleges and universities continue to evolve, Aramark brings together culinary expertise, hospitality innovation, and national scale while maintaining a deep commitment to school traditions and local flavors. By pairing operational excellence with fan-focused experiences, Aramark is helping institutions create stronger connections with their communities and more memorable campus environments on gameday and throughout the academic year.
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About Aramark
Aramark (NYSE: ARMK) proudly serves the world’s leading educational institutions, Fortune 500 companies, world champion sports teams, prominent healthcare providers, iconic destinations and cultural attractions, and numerous municipalities in 16 countries around the world with food and facilities management. Because of our hospitality culture, our employees strive to do great things for each other, our partners, our communities, and the planet. Learn more at www.aramark.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.
Media Contacts
Aramark Sports + Entertainment: Madeline Airey (airey-madeline@aramark.com)
