LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 30, 2026) — Over the decades, strong partnerships have allowed the University of Kentucky to strengthen services, expand opportunities and better serve the Commonwealth.
From housing to healthcare to technology, these collaborations have brought new expertise and investments to campus while helping UK adapt to changing needs.
Through the Enterprise Services Partnership, UK and Compass Group will work together to improve coordination and long-term planning across enterprise — UK, UK HealthCare, UK King’s Daughters and UK St. Claire.
Through this new partnership, UK and Compass Group will invest significantly in both people and communities.
“We look forward to working with a partner who shares the same vision as us — to advance Kentucky in all that we do,” said President Eli Capilouto. “These investments help us strengthen the services people rely on every day, expand opportunities for our students and employees, all while we continue to provide care and serve the Commonwealth.”
Compass Group will provide a range of services, including dining and concessions, maintenance, grounds, custodial, in-patient transport and in-patient sitters.
In service lines, including dining, concessions, healthcare and facilities, Compass Group will invest $275 million. Those dollars will upgrade campus spaces, expand service options and include the construction of at least one new dining hall — the Foundry — as the Board of Trustees approved in FCR 15.
“The University of Kentucky is a respected institution with an important mission, and from our earliest conversations, it was clear that our values and culture were aligned,” said Palmer Brown, CEO, Compass Group North America. “That shared purpose is the foundation of this partnership, which is designed to benefit both the University and the Commonwealth of Kentucky.”
To support our people and our mission to advance Kentucky, Compass Group will commit $50 million toward research, student scholarships, UK Invests and the Advancing Kentucky Together Network.
“This is a long-term investment in our campus, in our enterprise and in Kentucky. By working with a proven partner, we can strengthen operations, expand our impact and create better experiences across UK,” said Eric Monday, executive vice president for finance and administration and co-executive vice president for health affairs.
UK and Compass Group have signed an agreement, with a transition of services underway. A full contract is expected to be completed this summer.
Our commitments to our people
A key priority for both UK and Compass Group is to support employees.
All UK employees will remain UK employees with the same pay and benefits.
If employees choose to pursue promotional opportunities with Compass Group, UK has worked to ensure that their benefits package is comparable in quality and the equivalent financially.
Compass Group will also provide access to expanded training, development, apprenticeships and career opportunities across its broader network.
Lower costs and new options for students
Students will see immediate benefits from UK’s partnership with Compass Group. Meal plan prices will drop by 5% for the 2026-27 academic year.
The partnership will bring new dining options, upgraded facilities and more campuswide consistency — whether students are in the classroom, at a game or in a healthcare setting.
As a global leader in foodservice and hospitality, Compass Group offers hands-on opportunities for students to work alongside chefs, hospitality leaders and industry professionals in areas such as operations, nutrition, sustainability, marketing and finance.
Lower prices for fans
Fans attending UK Athletics events will also see direct savings.
The partnership includes fan-friendly pricing, with an average 38% reduction on eight core concession items at all on-campus venues, starting with Kroger Field and Historic Memorial Coliseum.
The goal is a more consistent, high-quality experience across all events, including updated menus and collaborations with local restaurants alongside traditional stadium options.
Expanding UK’s impact across Kentucky
The partnership will also allow UK to extend savings statewide.
Together, UK and Compass Group will launch a group purchasing organization (GPO) to use large-scale buying power to support schools, businesses and communities across Kentucky.
The university will also scale up The Food Connection into a statewide model to support this growth and help local producers become wholesale-ready.
A new mobile unit, “Food Force One,” will deliver fresh food, health education and resources directly to communities and work to meet the individual needs of Kentucky’s 120 counties.
Equally important, the initiative can serve as disaster support, taking supplies and helping communities in need.
