Aramark

Aramark’s story began in 1936, not in a boardroom, but in the back of a 1932 Dodge. It was there that Davre Davidson, a young entrepreneur with a vision for service, started selling peanuts to factory workers in Los Angeles. This humble operation, initially known as Davidson Brothers, was built on a simple yet powerful premise: providing quality service where people work. Across the country in Chicago, William Fishman was pursuing a similar path. In 1959, these two pioneers joined forces, merging their companies to create Automatic Retailers of America (ARA). This merger marked the beginning of a transformative journey that would see the company evolve from a vending machine operator into a global leader in hospitality and facilities management.

Over the decades, the company expanded its reach far beyond vending machines. By 1968, ARA was serving athletes at the Mexico City Olympic Games, the first of many international stages where the company would showcase its culinary and logistical expertise. The company’s growth continued through strategic acquisitions and a relentless focus on innovation, eventually rebranding as Aramark in 1994 to reflect its diversified portfolio. Under the leadership of executives like Joseph Neubauer, who led a management buyout in 1984 to protect the company’s culture and independence, Aramark solidified its reputation for excellence. Today, Aramark stands as a Fortune 500 powerhouse, serving millions of people daily across education, healthcare, business, and leisure sectors in 19 countries. From that single Dodge full of peanuts to a global workforce of over 200,000, Aramark’s journey is a testament to the enduring power of service and the human connection it fosters.