PHILADELPHIA, PA — Aramark’s Local Restaurant Row (LRR) program marked its fifth anniversary with continued success in elevating local businesses and fostering community engagement. Since launching in 2020, the initiative has rapidly grown, now supporting more than 2,230 local restaurateurs and food truck operators across the United States.
LRR’s impressive expansion, a 1,386% growth in just five years, has been fueled by its ability to connect small businesses to new guests and venues through Aramark’s diverse operations, from Collegiate Hospitality to Healthcare+. The program has generated millions in annual sales, with a significant share benefitting local entrepreneurs.
“Local Restaurant Row offers small, local businesses the opportunity to reach new guests, to scale up by servicing multiple locations, and to benefit financially through broadened exposure and engagement,” said Matt Weiss, Vice President for Partnership Management at Aramark.
To honor entrepreneurial partners, Aramark presented the third annual “Best Of” Awards, celebrating excellence across categories such as financial performance, growth, and operational excellence. This year’s top honors, the President’s Choice Awards, went to two outstanding businesses: Hotbox Hibachi and Berry Bowl To Go.
Hotbox Hibachi, a Japanese-style food truck serving the University of Mississippi, won for its skilled variety, strong community engagement, and ability to adapt to student and campus needs. Its owner, Jesse Hurley, reflected on the achievement by saying, “I am out here living out my dream every day.”
Berry Bowl To Go, based in Oxford, MI, was also recognized for its success within Aramark’s Student Nutrition program, consistently delivering healthy and appealing options to students. Owners Maria and Miguel Boscan expressed the pride they take in “offering a delicious way to consume fruit and superfoods” while inspiring healthier choices.
Beyond the top winners, LRR honored several other partners in categories like Financial Performance, Growth, and the unique Teamwork/Guest First Award. Among the winners were Bibibop Asian Grill (DC, MD, IL, IN, OH), O’Desi Aroma (Plano, TX), and Aloha Hawaiian BBQ (Houston, TX), showcasing the program’s diverse reach and its commitment to elevating authentic, local cuisines across America.
“We’re extremely proud of how Local Restaurant Row has enabled so many restaurateurs and food truck operators to bring their authentic cuisines and unique stories to Aramark client locations across the country,” added Weiss. “This initiative is not just about providing on-trend dining options. It’s about supporting the communities we operate in and enriching the dining experience for all.”
As the program continues to grow, Aramark’s Local Restaurant Row stands as a testament to the power of collaboration in driving economic vitality and celebrating culinary innovation nationwide.
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