Overview

• Elior caters for 25,430 students
• And 2,515 members of staff
• 7 faculties - divided into schools
• 4 campuses in and around Kingston upon Thames
• 3 year +2 contract
• Catering services provided since 1996

Kingston University has a 112-year history going back to 1899 when Kingston Technical Institute was opened. The modern day university operates seven faculties over four campuses in and around Kingston upon Thames, Surrey, with 25,430 students and 2,515 members of staff. The work of providing food services to this population is entrusted to Elior. The company is responsible for university catering at all the academic sites and provides 52-week operations with the largest being seven days a week. In addition, within the largest two campuses, the LRC opens 24 hours for six months of the year and Elior provides catering through the learning cafes until 12:00 midnight at each campus. All the food served (hot, cold, salads, sandwiches, hospitality etc) is prepared on site using fresh ingredients and not bought in, frozen or chilled to reheat.

Richard Jewitt ,Head of Support Services for Kingston University, explains:  "Students rarely give us any direct feedback unless they are really pushed. However, when I joined in November 2004, the annual catering sales were around £1.2m for the year 2004-5. By 2009-10 sales were up to £2.65m. There have been a few selective price increases of around 5%, but otherwise prices have remained static. Given this huge increase in sales, it is clear that the services provided by Elior  are highly valued by the students and staff and they are happy to spend their money at the University!"