Sodexo Campus Earns Top Honors for Excellence in Collegiate Dining Programming and Student Experience Initiatives

Food service operator honored for achievements in special events, employee development, renovations and retail dining operations

NORTH BETHESDA, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sodexo Campus, a leading foodservice and facilities management partner to colleges and universities across the United States, has been awarded nearly a dozen honors from the National Association for College & University Food Services (NACUFS) 2026 Loyal E. Horton Dining Awards for achievements in key campus communities in its growing portfolio.

Nine collegiate dining programs managed by Sodexo were selected from a highly selective pool of 300 submissions, illustrating the food operator’s commitment to innovation and inclusivity in on-campus dining programs. Sodexo was recognized in six categories for its high-quality, nutritional meals and the experience delivered to students through special events, as well as outreach and education, employee development and retail sales on campus.

“Campus dining is a deciding factor for students today, and we take our role as a campus partner, collaborator and connector seriously. These prestigious awards from NACUFS are the latest example of how we are showing up on campuses nationwide to deliver a memorable student experience—one that is centered on delicious food and strengthened by the teams and environments in which we operate,” said Ashton Sequira, CEO, Campus & Schools. “We’re proud to celebrate these achievements alongside our campus partners, whose dedication, collaboration and innovation make these accomplishments possible.”

Sodexo was honored in the following categories:

Catering Special Event of the Year

• Gold Winner: Loyola University New Orleans (Louisiana)
• Silver Winner: Texas Christian University (Texas)

Employee Development Program of the Year

• Silver Winner: Washington University in St. Louis (Missouri)

Outreach & Education Program of the Year

• Silver Winner: East Mississippi Community College (Mississippi)

Renovation of the Year

• Silver Winner: University of Colorado Denver (Colorado)

Residential Special Event of the Year

• Gold Winner: Liberty University (Virginia)
• Silver Winner: Jones College (Mississippi)
• Silver Winner: University of Colorado Denver (Colorado)

Retail Sales: Marketplace of the Year

• Gold Winner: Rollins College (Florida)
• Gold Winner: Belmont University (Tennessee)

“Campus dining teams are navigating rising expectations, external pressures and rapid change with remarkable creativity and thoughtfulness,” said NACUFS President and CEO Robert Nelson. “At a time when students need connection and community more than ever, dining programs play a pivotal role in bringing people together and profoundly enhancing the campus experience. These award-winning initiatives reflect how collegiate dining professionals are evolving their operations, strategies and services to meet the moment while keeping student health and well-being at the center of their work.”

Sodexo and all 2026 Loyal E. Horton Dining Awards winners will be further recognized during the NACUFS 2026 National Conference, set for July in New Orleans, Louisiana.

To learn more about Sodexo, visit us.sodexo.com.

About NACUFS

The National Association of College & University Food Services (NACUFS) was founded in 1958 by a group of college and university foodservice professionals from across the United States. Since its inception, NACUFS has focused on its mission to support and promote excellence in collegiate dining by providing members with the programs and resources they need to excel, from benchmarking and best practices to educational programming and professional networking.

About Sodexo North America

Sodexo North America is a division of Sodexo Group, a global leader in food and services shaping better everyday experiences at every moment in life: work, heal, learn and play. Operating in all 50 U.S. states, Canada, Puerto Rico and Guam, Sodexo North America is committed to meeting the challenges of everyday life with a dual goal: to improve the quality of life of our employees and those we serve, and to contribute to the economic, social and environmental progress in the communities where we operate. Founded in Marseille in 1966 by Pierre Bellon, Sodexo Group stands out for its independence, its founding family shareholding and its responsible business model. Sodexo is included in the CAC Next 20, CAC SBT 1.5, FTSE 4 Good and DJSI indices.