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District Judge lets some ERISA claims against Independence Administrators stand. The food and facilities services company Aramark alleges its third-party health-plan administrator breached fiduciary duties and engaged in prohibited transactions under ERISA. Reported by A federal judge in Philadelphia allowed most of an Aramark Corp. lawsuit against QCC Insurance Co., a subsidiary of Independent Blue Cross doing business as Independence Administrators, to proceed. The food and facilities services company was found to have plausibly alleged that the third-party health-plan administrator was acting as a fiduciary under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act when it made decisions about payment of claims and other decisions involving Aramark plan assets. U.S. District Judge Gerald Pappert, presiding in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, on August 13 granted in part and denied in part the defendants' motion to dismiss in Aramark Services Inc. et al. v. QCC Insurance Co. d/b/a Independence Administrators et al. The ruling allowed four counts alleging QCC's breaches of fiduciary duty and prohibited transactions under ERISA to continue. Two Aramark health plans were dismissed as plaintiffs, and Independence Blue Cross and Independence Health Group were dismissed as defendants, all without prejudice. Pappert also dismissed a declaratory relief claim without prejudice and struck Aramark's jury demand. Case background. Aramark filed the complaint in March, alleging that it entrusted QCC with hundreds of millions of dollars to pay medical providers caring for employees, retirees and family members. The administrator is accused of paying false, fraudulent or otherwise improper claims, charging excessive or undisclosed fees, and restricting Aramark's ability to examine how plan money was being used. The complaint alleges those practices cost Aramark tens of millions of dollars. At the center of Pappert's ruling was QCC's status as an ERISA fiduciary for the conduct Aramark challenged. Pappert concluded that Aramark plausibly alleged fiduciary status on multiple grounds. The parties' 2018 administrative services agreement expressly identified QCC as the "Named Claims Fiduciary" and delegated final discretionary authority over benefit determinations, claims payments and participant appeals. Although a 2022 agreement contained seemingly conflicting provisions - one saying the plan sponsor, rather than Independence Administrators, was the claims fiduciary and another calling QCC the "named claims fiduciary" - Pappert said those inconsistencies created factual questions inappropriate for resolution on a motion to dismiss. Pappert also found QCC was plausibly a "functional" fiduciary because the agreements gave it discretion in administering claims. Under the contracts, QCC could determine whether claims should be paid, could investigate their validity and could decide how much should be paid. ERISA, Pappert wrote, does not require a service provider to have ultimate decisionmaking power before it can be a fiduciary; discretionary authority or responsibility can be enough. A separate focal point involved QCC's control over plan money. Under the aforementioned 2022 agreement, Independence Administrators provided the checking account through which benefits were paid and had sole authority to sign checks. Aramark alleged QCC pulled money from the plans, placed it in accounts under Independence's control and used those funds to pay claims. ERISA threshold cleared. Pappert wrote that those allegations cleared ERISA's relatively low threshold for fiduciary status, based on control over plan assets. The judge noted that QCC allegedly had authority to write checks on the plan account and to control where plan funds were deposited. Exactly which funds ultimately qualify as plan assets remains a factual question that can be addressed later in the case, he wrote. Aramark accuses QCC of widespread claims mismanagement, improper billing and diverting plan funds for its benefit, including practices such as cross-plan offsetting and less rigorous claims review. Pappert found these allegations - such as paying improper or excessive claims and charging hidden fees - sufficient to support a claim of fiduciary breach at this stage. Additionally, Pappert ruled that Aramark could seek remedies such as surcharge and disgorgement for any losses or profits resulting from QCC's alleged misconduct. Aramark and the Aramark Benefits Compliance Review Committee are represented by law firms McKool Smith P.C. and Duane Morris LLP. QCC and the dismissed Independence entities are represented by Miller & Chevalier. According to the most recent Form 5500 data, the Aramark Services Inc. Group Health Plan had 25,615 participants at the end of 2024.

Spelman College switches cleaning contractors to circumvent union. by Nick Temple, HELU Organizer On June 30, Spelman changed its cleaning contractor from Aramark to Integrity National Corporation. The workers under Aramark had been unionized and covered by a collective bargaining agreement for many years. According to Workers United Southern Region, when Integrity took over, almost none of the existing Spelman cleaners were hired and Integrity did not recognize the union. Around 35 workers lost their jobs, many of whom are Black women who had worked on the campus for more than 15 years. Along with their jobs, they lost their seniority and the wages and benefits they had secured through their union contract. Workers United has been trying to get Spelman leadership involved (they haven't responded yet) and is continuing to organize around the workers and their demands. But this month they've opened up a new avenue to advocate for workers: Getting students and their families involved. This includes ramping up as the fall semester gets underway, with a demonstration on August 12 at the College gates during move-in. To workers and allies, it was important not to dampen the excitement of move-in, but to make sure students and families were aware of how dedicated staff were losing their jobs on campus. I went to Atlanta this month, where I attended the August 12 demonstration with Workers United supporting the Spelman College cleaners. Seeing Workers United, Morehouse and Spelman faculty, SEIU members, and others come together in support of the Spelman cleaning workers was inspiring. It showed what real solidarity across the HBCU community can look like. It was also powerful to see students from Spelman, Morehouse, and Clark Atlanta stand behind the workers and make clear that they care about how campus employees are treated and want the administration to do better in protecting and treating workers fairly. After the action, a petition in support of the Spelman cleaners reached 828 signatures, with most coming from Spelman students. Workers United noted that both the newly contracted cleaners and the workers who lost their positions shared how meaningful it was to see public support on the ground. They also reported positive progress in helping several of the displaced Spelman cleaners secure new employment opportunities. Looking ahead, students and workers are exploring the possibility of coming together next week to formally deliver the petition to the Spelman President. Sign the petition here.

Aramark Student Nutrition expands partnerships across the country to enhance K-12 student dining experiences. August 17, 2026 From chef-inspired menus and local sourcing initiatives to student advisory councils and nutrition education programs, Aramark Student Nutrition is partnering with over a dozen new school districts nationwide to create dining experiences that help students thrive. The newest partnerships span public school districts, charter schools, independent schools, and faith-based education systems; each program is designed to meet the unique needs of its students and community. "While every program is tailored to local needs, these partnerships share a common goal: delivering nutritious meals, enhancing the student experience, and creating meaningful opportunities for students to engage with food, wellness, and learning," said Brisbane Vaillancourt, President and CEO of Aramark Student Nutrition. "We're grateful for the opportunity to serve each of these districts and provide meals that nourish students, support their success, and make mealtime something they look forward to each day." Illinois. At Queen Bee Elementary School District 16 in Glendale Heights, IL, Aramark is focused on creating a more interactive and personalized dining experience for students. The partnership includes made-to-order dining concepts, rotating menu features, student feedback initiatives, and taste-testing opportunities. Students will have access to a wider variety of chef-inspired meals, locally sourced ingredients, and nutrition education resources that support wellness and informed food choices. The emphasis on customization and choice will help create a dining experience tailored to student preferences. Maryland. Aramark Student Nutrition's partnership with Talbot County Public Schools includes expanded local sourcing efforts, nutrition education programming, farmers market initiatives, and technology that provides families with greater access to menu and nutrition information. Together, these efforts are designed to strengthen connections among schools, families, and the local community. Massachusetts. For Easton Public Schools, Aramark Student Nutrition is elevating the student dining experience through expanded breakfast programs, chef-inspired menu offerings, and fresh, made-to-order meal concepts designed to increase student participation and satisfaction. The partnership is also designed to foster strong community connections by highlighting local food and agriculture, providing nutrition and wellness education, supporting school and community events, and creating opportunities for students, families, and district stakeholders to engage in menu development and program enhancements that reflect the unique needs and values of the Easton community. New Jersey. In New Jersey's Camden City School District, Aramark Student Nutrition is set to return to the city of Camden and will launch Camden Fresh, a student-centered dining program featuring chef-inspired menus, scratch cooking, local sourcing, student advisory groups, nutrition education, and expanded farm-to-school initiatives. The program is designed to celebrate local pride while creating a dining experience that reflects the strength and vibrancy of the Camden community. New york. * Charter School of Educational Excellence (Yonkers, NY): The Charter School of Educational Excellence in Yonkers will have a student-centered dining model that gives students a direct voice in shaping menus, programming, and wellness initiatives. * Dobbs Ferry School District: Aramark Student Nutrition at Dobbs Ferry School District is creating a dining program that reflects community pride through scratch-made meals, local sourcing, and strong stakeholder engagement. * Malone Central School District: At Malone Central School District, Aramark's program emphasizes culinary innovation and stronger connections to local agriculture through farm-to-school initiatives and regional sourcing. * Putnam Valley Central School District: Putnam Valley Central School District's student nutrition program will offer expanded access to nutritious meals while connecting students and families with resources that support wellness and academic success. North carolina. At Carteret County Public Schools in Beaufort, Aramark Student Nutrition is creating a dining program centered on student engagement, culinary career exploration, and community partnerships. Students will have opportunities to interact with local chefs, participate in culinary competitions and internships, and engage with farm-to-school initiatives that showcase the region's food heritage. Pennsylvania. * Erie Catholic School System: Serving five schools, Aramark Student Nutrition at Erie Catholic School System is introducing a unified dining program focused on wellness and culinary excellence across the system. * Mother Teresa Academy (Erie, PA): Mother Teresa Academy, also in Erie, will have a modernized dining experience with fresh menu options, chef-developed meals, and expanded breakfast offerings designed to meet the needs of a growing student community. South carolina. At Fairfield County School District in Winnsboro, Aramark is combining scratch cooking, farm-to-school programming, and hands-on student engagement. Students will have opportunities to participate in culinary competitions, recipe development activities, internships, and experiences that connect them with local agriculture and food systems. Texas. * Brownfield Independent School District: In Brownfield, TX, Brownfield ISD's partnership with Aramark centers on student leadership and hands-on career exploration opportunities in the culinary arts and hospitality. * Melissa Independent School District: The Aramark Student Nutrition team at Melissa ISD combines student-driven menu development with career-connected learning and chef-crafted dining experiences. Wisconsin. * School District of Jefferson: In Jefferson, WI, Aramark is introducing a chef-led dining experience focused on fresh ingredients, scratch cooking, and student engagement. Students will participate in culinary demonstrations, wellness initiatives, farm-to-school programs, and hydroponic growing experiences that connect food, nutrition, and agriculture. * West Bend School District: Aramark Student Nutrition is enhancing the student dining experience through expanded breakfast offerings, chef-crafted menus, and made-to-order dining concepts. The partnership also emphasizes community connection through farmers' markets, wellness education, community events, and collaborative menu development opportunities. "Together, these new partnerships reflect the evolving role of student nutrition programs in schools today," said Justin Crews, Aramark Student Nutrition Chief Growth Officer. "Beyond serving meals, school dining programs are creating innovative opportunities for students to develop healthy habits, explore new foods, engage with their communities, and participate in experiences that connect nutrition, education, and well-being." About Aramark Student Nutrition Aramark Student Nutrition is at the forefront of powering student potential through exceptional food services in K-12 schools and school districts. With more than 60 years of industry experience and serving over 270 million meals annually to 1.5 million students nationwide, Student Nutrition fosters brighter futures through creative, diverse, and nutrition packed menus featuring fresh, local ingredients. Connect with Student Nutrition on LinkedIn to learn more. 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 its hospitality culture, its employees strive to do great things for each other, its partners, its communities, and the planet. Learn more at www.aramark.com and connect with Aramark Corporation on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. Conall Smith Be the first to know about the latest press releases, feature stories, podcasts, and vlogs.