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Aramark Facilities Management expands leadership training for frontline and Field Managers. July 31, 2026 Aramark Facilities Management is developing a suite of structured leadership and technical training programs designed to support employees at every stage of their careers - from frontline team members to general managers and district leaders. The programs are built to create consistency across operations while helping managers better understand the technical, financial, and people-management aspects of running facilities programs at client sites. Building a Standardized Foundation Through the College of Facilities Management At the center of Aramark Facilities Management's training strategy is the College of Facilities Management, a standardized learning platform focused on upskilling employees across core Aramark Facilities Management disciplines. The College brings together multiple specialized schools, including Operations and Maintenance, Cleaning Services, Landscaping Services, Computerized Maintenance Management Systems, and Skilled Workers/Trades. Courses are designed to support real-world application and are paired with industry-recognized certifications through organizations such as the Association of Facilities Engineers, TPC Training, and the National Swimming Pool Foundation. Training topics range from preventative maintenance and regulatory readiness to healthcare-aligned cleaning practices and data-driven asset management. The goal is to ensure teams across the country are trained to consistent standards while gaining practical skills they can apply directly at their accounts. Focused Leadership Development for Field Managers For leaders managing complex operations and client relationships, Aramark Facilities Management offers additional development through its Facilities Management Business School and Operational Leadership Academy. The Facilities Management Business School is designed to elevate District Managers and operational leaders through structured learning that blends operational training, financial acumen, and leadership development. The curriculum emphasizes understanding not only how systems function, but how day-to-day decisions affect labor, profitability, and service delivery. That learning is reinforced through the Operational Leadership Academy, an immersive program that combines classroom instruction with hands-on exercises. Participants work through labor scheduling scenarios, financial simulations, and program-based activities while practicing how to communicate performance and outcomes to clients. As part of the academy, managers complete Client Business Review presentations that link operational data to financial results and client priorities. The role-play environment allows participants to practice storytelling, handle challenging conversations, and apply feedback in real time. Program Shaped by Field Feedback Feedback from the Operational Leadership Academy's pilot group played a key role in shaping the program's evolution. Based on participant input, Aramark expanded hands-on learning opportunities, strengthened the financial training modules, and added more preparation time for client-facing role-play exercises. Additional updates included increased program navigation practice, deeper exposure to project billing tools, and expanded simulations focused on month-end close activities. Company leaders say the updates were driven largely by field managers' input on what skills were most critical to their roles. For leaders like Misty Hall, a Facilities Management General Manager at the University of Pikeville in Kentucky, Aramark Facilities Management's leadership training programs mirror her own growth within the organization. Hall joined Aramark without a facilities background and was promoted to Assistant Manager within a few months. Over time, she advanced to the General Manager role through a combination of hands-on experience, mentoring, and structured training. Today, Hall plays an active role beyond her own account, thanks to the Operational Leadership Academy. She supports new managers across the organization, serving as a mentor to emerging leaders, and has contributed to Aramark's Facilities Management Centers of Excellence by helping to pilot new training programs, supporting new account startups, and providing feedback to improve leadership development initiatives. Hall credits Aramark Facilities Management's training and credentialing opportunities - including leadership academies, technical certifications, and education assistance - with helping her build both confidence and capability as a leader. She now holds multiple industry certifications and uses those same tools to develop her team. "My focus is always my people," Hall said. "Using the training and resources available helps us recognize talent, build skills, and create pathways for growth." One example is her mentorship of a colleague, who advanced from a custodial role to supervisor, and now serves as Hall's Assistant Manager. Hall says developing leaders internally, through coaching, honest feedback, and access to training, has strengthened both her team and the operation as a whole. "As Aramark Facilities Management continues to expand its academies and update coursework, the focus remains on developing leaders who understand operations in the field, the financial drivers behind the work, and the importance of strong client and employee relationships," said Martha Bergholtz, Aramark Facilities Management Facilities Quality & Standards Director. Be the first to know about the latest press releases, feature stories, podcasts, and vlogs.

Aramark recognized for 10 years as a Top Scorer on the Disability Index(R). July 30, 2026 Aramark has been recognized as a Top Scorer on the 2026 Disability Index(R) for the 10th time, reflecting the company's ongoing commitment to fostering a workplace where people of all abilities can thrive. The annual benchmark, administered by Disability:IN, evaluates participating organizations on policies, practices, and programs that support disability inclusion across the employee experience. The milestone marks Aramark's 10th year earning Top Scorer recognition and highlights the company's continued efforts to build a culture of belonging through employee engagement, education, accessibility, and inclusive workplace practices. "Our hospitality culture is rooted in serving everyone. People with disabilities provide a host of valuable contributions. Creating an inclusive workplace requires continuous learning, collaboration, and action," said Fenimore Fisher, Aramark Vice President of Global Inclusion. "This recognition reflects the dedication of teams across Aramark who are working every day to ensure our employees feel supported, valued, and empowered to succeed." Disability:IN is one of Aramark's longest-standing inclusion partners, providing resources, research, professional development opportunities, benchmarking, and networking that help advance disability inclusion throughout the organization. Through the partnership, Aramark has access to educational workshops, global roundtables, a vast network of disability-owned business enterprises (DOBEs), and industry best practices that support an increasingly inclusive workplace. This past year, Thrive, Aramark's Employee Resource Group (ERG) for individuals with disabilities, caregivers, and allies, advanced disability inclusion across the company through education, awareness, and collaboration. In partnership with Disability:IN, Thrive hosted Disability Etiquette Training for employees, exploring the attitudes, language, and behaviors that help create a strong foundation for disability inclusion in the workplace. Thrive also strengthened connections across Aramark's ERG community through programs such as a PTSD Awareness event held in partnership with Pride and Salute ERGs. Additionally, Thrive collaborated with Aramark's Global Inclusion team to develop and launch the company's first disability inclusion learning module, "A Quick Guide to Talking about Disabilities", which helps employees build awareness, understanding, and confidence in discussing disability inclusion and fostering a more inclusive workplace culture. Thrive fosters community, allyship, education, and professional development opportunities for employees across the company. Through partnerships with Global Inclusion and organizations such as Disability:IN, the ERG continues to advance inclusion and belonging across Aramark. "This recognition is a meaningful reflection of Aramark's commitment to creating opportunities and fostering belonging for individuals with disabilities," said Brent Wustman, Aramark Collegiate Hospitality General Manager and Aramark Thrive ERG member. "I am proud to represent Thrive at this year's conference and be part of a culture that values inclusion, support, and the unique contributions of every individual." Representatives from Aramark and Thrive participated in the Disability:IN Global Conference & Expo from July 27-30, where organizations from across industries come together to share best practices and advance disability inclusion in the workplace. "Attending the Disability:IN Conference for the first time has been both inspiring and humbling. It has reinforced that disability inclusion is not simply a business initiative - it is about creating opportunities, removing barriers, and recognizing the value that every individual brings," said Mercedes Rodriguez, Aramark Director of Inclusive Sourcing. "Our partnership with Disability:IN continues to be a meaningful and rewarding one, and we remain committed to supporting certified disability-owned business enterprises (DOBEs) and advancing inclusive sourcing opportunities." Be the first to know about the latest press releases, feature stories, podcasts, and vlogs.