UK entering partnership with new dining services provider
By Shepherd Snyder
May 15, 2026 at 1:39 PM EDT
The University of Kentucky is finalizing a new agreement with the company Compass Group to house hundreds of on-campus food and dining jobs.
UK announced the move one week after it was reported that the school is ending its contract with dining services company Aramark, impacting around 900 workers. The university says those employees will keep their jobs, pay and benefits as part of the new agreement.
The school is also considering Compass Group to employ other departments like the maintenance, grounds and custodial staff. In-patient transport services and in-patient sitting services at UK HealthCare in Lexington, UK St. Claire in Morehead and UK King’s Daughters in Ashland are also being considered.
Campus workers have previously voiced concern over UK’s privatization of those departments. Earlier this month, local unions held a protest on campus over concerns that new hires would not receive the same pay and benefit structure as those previously hired by the university.
A UK spokesperson previously said the change is a response to tightening budgets and a way to boost efficiency.
The agreement with Compass is expected to be finalized by July. They’re scheduled to take over UK’s dining operations on July 1.
UK announced the move one week after it was reported that the school is ending its contract with dining services company Aramark, impacting around 900 workers. The university says those employees will keep their jobs, pay and benefits as part of the new agreement.
The school is also considering Compass Group to employ other departments like the maintenance, grounds and custodial staff. In-patient transport services and in-patient sitting services at UK HealthCare in Lexington, UK St. Claire in Morehead and UK King’s Daughters in Ashland are also being considered.
Campus workers have previously voiced concern over UK’s privatization of those departments. Earlier this month, local unions held a protest on campus over concerns that new hires would not receive the same pay and benefit structure as those previously hired by the university.
A UK spokesperson previously said the change is a response to tightening budgets and a way to boost efficiency.
The agreement with Compass is expected to be finalized by July. They’re scheduled to take over UK’s dining operations on July 1.