Compass Group to Help UK Chart Future Campus

CHARLOTTE, NC – The University of Kentucky has chosen Compass Group to be its preferred Enterprise Services Partner, as part of a strategy to align and strengthen services across campus.

Scheduled to begin July 1, the partnership reflects a growing trend among universities and health systems to align services more closely around the evolving needs of students, patients, employees, and communities.

“Institutions like the University of Kentucky are thinking differently about how services come together to support a modern campus and healthcare environment,” said Palmer Brown, CEO, Compass Group North America.

“This partnership reflects UK’s thoughtful approach to supporting its employees and the broader university community. By bringing together food, hospitality, facilities and healthcare support services, UK is creating a more connected model that strengthens operations, improves experiences and points to the future of higher education and healthcare.”

Grounded in a shared commitment to enhancing the everyday experience, the partnership will focus on:

• Supporting employees with care, respect and transparency;
• Listening to the campus and healthcare communities;
• Providing great food, warm hospitality and reliable service;
• Creating welcoming, well-maintained spaces;
• Investing in Kentucky through local partnerships and career pathways.

“As the University of Kentucky continues to grow across education, research, service and healthcare, we need delivery models that are built for the future of our enterprise,” said Eric Monday, executive vice president for finance and administration and co-executive vice president for health affairs at the University of Kentucky. “Compass Group brings the operational expertise, scale and collaborative approach to help us strengthen how these services work together while continuing our mission to advance Kentucky in all that we do.”

Compass Group already has a significant presence across Kentucky, working with healthcare systems, universities, businesses, and venues throughout the commonwealth. Building on that foundation, the relationship is expected to expand local sourcing, workforce development and community partnerships while strengthening the experience across campus and healthcare environments.

Dining associates affected by this transition will have the opportunity to continue in their roles with comparable compensation and benefits, while facilities and healthcare employees currently on the University payroll will remain University employees. Compass Group will also provide access to expanded training, development, apprenticeships, and career opportunities across its broader network.

Program implementation is scheduled to begin in July 2026 through a phased transition designed to maintain continuity across university and healthcare operations.

Compass Group serves healthcare systems, educational institutions, cultural centers, sports and entertainment venues, and Fortune 500 companies, delivering tailored solutions at scale.

Learn more at compass-usa.com.