Hundreds of Sodexo Workers Impacted by Contract Loss at Binghamton University

For more than 40 years, Sodexo workers have been the people keeping Binghamton University fed. This summer, that is all about to change.

The University Is Replacing Sodexo with a New Vendor After Decades of Complaints

Binghamton University announced it is replacing Sodexo with Chartwells Higher Education, a national dining company that operates at more than 330 colleges and universities nationwide. The two sides have signed a 10-year agreement, with Chartwells taking over on June 1, 2026.

Years of Failed Inspections and Student Frustration Built to a Breaking Point

The change did not happen overnight. Binghamton University reports that students have been pushing the university on dining quality for years, citing a string of health inspection failures across all four dining halls. The situation was worse at the Chenango Champlain Collegiate Center, which failed seven of its last eight inspections since late 2020. On top of that, students raised ongoing concerns about the cost of meal plans and the lack of options for those with dietary restrictions.

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The University Spent Two Years Gathering Input Before Making the Call

Binghamton University says it did not make the switch quickly. Over the past two years, more than 1,700 students filled out surveys, and the university held focus groups, student leadership meetings, and consultations with faculty and staff. An outside dining consultant, Envision Strategies, was brought in to help guide the process. Three vendors reached the final round and presented to a committee of students, staff, and faculty before Chartwells was selected. The Binghamton Auxiliary oversaw the final decision alongside the consulting firm.

Student Activists Pushed Hard for This Change and Are Already Watching Closely

The university’s Young Democratic Socialists of America chapter has been one of the loudest voices pushing for change. The group organized a town hall last November on dining concerns and says the switch in contracts is a direct result of that pressure. They also say the administration agreed to financial penalties for future health violations, independent inspections, and job protections for existing dining workers. But the YDSA hasn't celebrated yet. The group says the university is already backing away from promises regarding meal swipe access and dietary accommodations, and they are calling on the administration to honor those commitments before the transition proceeds.

While New Programs Are Planned

For most students, the dining halls will probably look familiar when they return in the fall. The university says meal plan structures will stay largely the same in the first year under Chartwells, with bigger changes coming later after more input from the campus community. Details about new dining concepts, updated locations, and program changes are expected to be announced in the coming months.

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Chartwells Is Making Big Promises, and Students Are Holding Them to It

Chartwells has committed to sourcing nearly all of its seafood from sustainable fisheries, cutting food waste in half by 2030, and reducing its use of single-use plastics. Students have their own list of demands. The Student Association passed a resolution last semester asking for more kosher and halal options, clearer allergen labeling, and union protections for dining workers. Those demands were part of the broader conversation that shaped what the university sought in a new vendor.

Seasonal Layoffs Expected, But New Hiring Opportunity Ahead

State labor filings in a (WARN) posted by the state Department of Labor put the number of Sedexo employees involved in the layoff at 689 workers. However, a university representative explained that these Sodexo positions are considered seasonal, meaning employees are typically laid off in May each year, and many rely on unemployment benefits during the summer months. That part isn’t changing. What is different this year is that those same workers may have the opportunity to be hired by Chartwells as the new dining provider takes over.

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Chartwells Says It Will Talk to Workers Before the Transition Begins

In the coming weeks, Chartwells representatives are expected to meet with current dining staff to answer questions about the transition. The university’s auxiliary services say they plan to remain involved throughout the process and keep the campus community informed as things progress.