PHOTO: Courtesy of WLUK
APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Lawrence University is changing its food service provider, putting 62 people out of work.
According to a letter filed with the state by Bon Appetit, the layoffs will be effective Aug. 3 and are expected to be permanent.
Bon Appetit recently learned that its contract to provide food services to Lawrence University… will be coming to an end. This event will, unfortunately, result in the closure of our operations at Lawrence University and directly impact our staffing.
Because Bon Appetit will no longer be the food service provider at Lawrence University as of June 30, 2024, these employees will not be recalled from the summer furlough and will be permanently laid off on August 3, 2024.
Director of Public Information Ed Berthiaume said American Dining Creations is the new dining service on campus. He said the decision to contract with a new food service provider is the result of an extensive evaluation of several national venders by student representatives, staff and faculty.
We evaluated these vendors on various categories including meal planning, operations, personnel, food education, catering, experience in the field of higher education, and resource management. We came away impressed with American Dining Creation’s ability to work in partnership with Lawrence to serve our students, as well as our full campus community and guests. American Dining Creations put forth an impressive plan for how to best serve our students and our community with extended hours of operations, a focus on variety and diversity of food offerings, enhanced options throughout campus, and several other dining initiatives that will serve us well.
In the letter filed with the state, Bon Appetit said it was under the impression the new food service provider “plans to offer employment to many of Bon Appetit’s existing workforce at Lawrence University.”
Berthiaume echoed that statement, saying when the transition to American Dining Creations begins next week, it will “include many conversations with current Bon Appetit employees as well as constituents from all over campus.”
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