Aramark Reports Earnings Results for Fiscal 2025

Fourth quarter and full year 2025 results include a 53rd week of operations

FISCAL 2025 YEAR-OVER-YEAR SUMMARY

• Record Annualized Gross New Business of $1.6 Billion; More Than 12% Higher than Fiscal '24
  • Retention rate at 96.3%; Strongest in Company history with many LOBs and countries even higher
  • Net New business at 5.6% of prior year revenue; Awarded largest contract win ever in FSS United States
    
    
    
    
• Revenue +6%; Organic Revenue +7%
  • Growth driven by net new business, base business volume, and the contribution from the 53rd week of an estimated 2%; Revenue in the prior year included portfolio exits in Facilities
  • Onboarding unprecedented level of new business; Worked closely with certain new large accounts on timing of site openings to ensure seamless transition into becoming Aramark clients
    
    
    
    
• Operating Income +12%; Adjusted Operating Income (AOI) +12%¹
  • Additional incentive-based compensation of approximately $25 million, or 3%, recorded in the fourth quarter associated with achieving record Net New business
  • Leveraged enhanced technology capabilities across portfolio; Profitability led by supply chain efficiencies and productivity
    
    
    
    
• GAAP EPS +23% to $1.22; Adjusted EPS +19%¹ to $1.82
  • Incentive-based compensation in the fourth quarter impacted GAAP EPS and Adjusted EPS by $0.07, or 7% and 5%, respectively
  • Strong confidence in the business and the significant growth opportunities ahead
    
    
    
    
• Achieved Leverage Ratio of 3.25x; Lowest Level in Nearly 20 Years
  • Net cash from operations +27%; Free Cash Flow +41%; Over $2.4 billion of cash availability
  • Repurchased in excess of 4 million shares; Raised quarterly dividend by 14%

Q4 YEAR-OVER-YEAR SUMMARY

• Revenue +14%; Organic Revenue +14%
  • Growth led by substantial new business, high retention levels, and base business volume somewhat offset by the timing of onboarding new business; Contribution from the 53rd week of an estimated 7%
  • Exited year-end at higher end of Company's long-term revenue growth model²
    
    
    
    
• Operating Income Unchanged; Adjusted Operating Income (AOI) +6%¹
  • Profitability reflected higher revenue levels, supply chain efficiencies, and above-unit cost management, along with the incentive-based compensation
  • Operating income included restructuring initiatives to further streamline operations
    
    
    
    
• GAAP EPS (28)% to $0.33; Adjusted EPS +6%¹ to $0.57
  • Incentive-based compensation impacted GAAP EPS and Adjusted EPS by $0.07, or 15% and 13%, respectively
  • GAAP EPS also included a non-cash asset impairment associated with a minority interest investment made in a previous fiscal year

Aramark (NYSE: ARMK) today reported results for the fourth quarter and full year of fiscal 2025.

“Fiscal 2025 represented many consequential milestones for the Company, contributing to the strong growth trajectory ahead,” said John Zillmer, Aramark CEO. “In addition to being awarded one of the most prestigious medical systems in the world, we delivered almost $1 billion in Annualized Net New business, added more than $1 billion of new purchasing spend in our Global Supply Chain network for a second consecutive year, and achieved a leverage ratio of 3.25x, a number we haven’t seen since prior to when Aramark went private in 2007.”

“We take delivering on our commitments very seriously. Our actions have centered on building a high performing business focused on providing exceptional hospitality to our clients and I want to reiterate that we are resolutely committed to achieving our financial objectives and generating significant shareholder value.”

FISCAL 2025 SUMMARY

Consolidated revenue was $18.5 billion, an increase of 6% year-over-year. The effect of currency translation reduced revenue by $70 million. Organic revenue grew 7% compared to the prior year period. Growth was strengthened by net new business and base business volume, somewhat offset by the Company's portfolio exits in Facilities in fiscal 2024. The contribution from the 53rd week increased revenue by an estimated 2%.

As Aramark began onboarding an unprecedented level of new business, the Company worked closely with certain large clients toward the end of the fourth quarter to prepare for a seamless transition to Aramark becoming their new Hospitality partner. In some cases, this led to a shift in the timing of new account openings. With many of these sites now up and running, the Company believes it is well positioned for strong performance in the quarters ahead.

Operating income increased 12% year-over-year to $792 million and AOI grew 12%¹ to $981 million, which represented an operating margin increase of 20 basis points and AOI margin expansion of nearly 25 basis points¹ year-over-year. Profitability growth resulted from higher revenue levels, expanded supply chain capabilities, and disciplined above-unit cost management. These increases more than offset additional incentive-based compensation recorded in the fourth quarter of approximately $25 million, or 3%, associated with achieving record Net New business.

The effect of currency translation reduced operating income by $4 million.

Aramark's earnings per share in fiscal 2025 was $1.22, compared to $0.99 in fiscal 2024. Adjusted earnings per share increased 19%¹ to $1.82. The additional incentive-based compensation in the fourth quarter impacted Adjusted EPS by approximately 5%, or $0.07.

FOURTH QUARTER RESULTS

Consolidated revenue was $5.0 billion in the fourth quarter, a 14% increase year-over-year both on a GAAP and organic revenue basis, primarily driven by substantial new business, high retention levels, and base business volume. The contribution from the 53rd week increased revenue by an estimated 7%.

The effect of currency translation increased GAAP revenue by $22 million.

• FSS United States revenue growth was led by 1) Business & Industry continuing its strong pace of record net new business; 2) Education with high retention rates, meal plan optimization, and benefits from increased student enrollment; and 3) Healthcare reporting its best performance in over two years—which more than offset a shift in the timing of new account openings and a majority of the Company's MLB teams within Sports & Entertainment ultimately falling out of playoff contention towards the end of the quarter.
• FSS International delivered another strong quarter of revenue growth, with broad-based contributions across geographies, particularly in the U.K., Canada, Ireland, Spain and Latin America. Top performing industries included Business & Industry, Healthcare, Education, and Extractive Services. Revenue on a GAAP basis reflected the effect of currency translation as referenced above.

In the fourth quarter, operating income was unchanged at $218 million compared to the prior year, and AOI grew 6%¹ to $289 million. GAAP Operating Income reflected restructuring initiatives to further optimize operations. AOI growth was from higher revenue levels, leveraging technology capabilities, particularly in supply chain, and above-unit cost management. These increases more than offset elevated expenses in incentive-based compensation (approximately $25 million) and certain medical prescription claims ($5 million), as well as some new business start-up costs largely in Higher Education and Collegiate Sports. Excluding these items, AOI margin would have increased by an additional 70 basis points. The Company has taken actions to decrease future medical expenses, specifically related to certain elective lifestyle prescriptions.

• FSS United States experienced higher revenue levels, enhanced technology capabilities, particularly within supply chain, and disciplined above-unit cost management, which more than offset the expense items referenced above. Excluding these items, AOI would have increased by an additional 12%.
  
  
  
  Aramark also took the opportunity to make some strategic reinvestments within Destinations, which included property development, digital marketing optimization, and other enhancements to drive the guest experience.
• FSS International benefited from increased revenue, disciplined management of operating costs, and supply chain efficiencies.
  
  
  
  Operating income in the quarter included severance charges from restructuring initiatives to further optimize operations.
• Corporate expenses reflected higher incentive-based compensation.

Aramark's earnings per share in the fourth quarter was $0.33, compared to $0.46 in fiscal 2024. GAAP EPS in the quarter reflected a non-cash asset impairment associated with a minority interest investment made in a previous fiscal year. Adjusted earnings per share increased 6%¹ to $0.57. The additional incentive-based compensation impacted Adjusted EPS by 13%, or $0.07.

CASH FLOW AND CAPITAL STRUCTURE

Net cash provided by operating activities increased 27% to $921 million in fiscal 2025 and Free Cash Flow grew 41% to $454 million. The year-over-year increase was led by stronger cash from operations and favorable working capital. In the fourth quarter, the Company had a significant source of cash driven by the Collegiate Hospitality business, consistent with Aramark's historical seasonality.

The Company's leverage ratio improved to 3.25x at the end of September 2025, compared to 3.41x a year ago, and represented the lowest level in nearly 20 years. Aramark continues to take proactive actions to further enhance the Company's strong balance sheet and reduce its leverage ratio. In the fiscal year, Aramark repurchased in excess of 4 million shares of stock. Subsequent to year-end, the Company has repurchased shares in the market under a 10b5-1 program.

Aramark’s capital allocation priorities remain unchanged: 1) invest in the business to drive and propel growth; 2) reduce leverage below 3.0x; 3) grow quarterly dividend payments; and 4) repurchase Aramark stock using excess cash generation.

At fiscal year-end, the Company had over $2.4 billion in cash availability.

DIVIDEND DECLARATION

Aramark's Board of Directors approved a 14% increase to Aramark's quarterly dividend. The dividend of $0.12 per share of common stock will be payable on December 17, 2025, to stockholders of record at the close of business on December 5, 2025.

BUSINESS UPDATE

In fiscal 2025, Aramark capitalized on extensive new business opportunities, resulting in annualized gross new business wins of $1.6 billion—more than 12% greater than fiscal 2024. The Company also achieved a client retention rate of 96.3% with many LOBs and countries even higher. Combined, this represented unprecedented annualized Net New business for the Company at 5.6% of prior year revenue, which included the largest contract win ever awarded in FSS United States history—and is also one of the most prestigious medical systems in the world—scheduled to commence operations early in the new year.

Aramark believes in its continued ability to achieve Net New business of at least 4% to 5% of prior year revenue—with retention levels above 95%. The new business pipeline across the organization is significant, including in first-time outsourcing, and Aramark is already off to another strong start at this early stage in the new fiscal year.

The Company is also focused on accelerating profitability from its multiple operating levers, which include differentiated supply chain capabilities and disciplined cost management, building upon Aramark's efficiencies and scale.

OUTLOOK

The Company provides its expectations for organic revenue growth, Adjusted Operating Income growth (constant currency), Adjusted Earnings per Share growth (constant currency) and Net Debt to Covenant Adjusted EBITDA ("Leverage Ratio") on a non-GAAP basis, and does not provide a reconciliation of such forward-looking non-GAAP measures to GAAP due to the inherent difficulty in forecasting and quantifying certain amounts that are necessary for such reconciliations, including adjustments that could be made for the effect of currency translation. The fiscal 2026 outlook reflects management's current assumptions regarding numerous evolving factors that are difficult to accurately predict, including those discussed in the Risk Factors set forth in the Company's filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

Aramark currently anticipates its full-year financial performance for fiscal 2026 as follows:

“We enter fiscal 2026 with great confidence,” Zillmer added. “Our teams are focused on driving performance, and we are already seeing success in leveraging enterprise-wide capabilities, starting operations for a record number of new clients, maintaining our retention momentum, optimizing Global Supply Chain strategies, and lastly pursuing another year of significant growth opportunities.”

CONFERENCE CALL SCHEDULED

The Company has scheduled a conference call at 8:30 a.m. ET today to discuss its earnings and outlook. This call and related materials can be heard and reviewed, either live or on a delayed basis, on the Company's website, www.aramark.com, on the investor relations page.

About Aramark

Aramark (NYSE: ARMK) proudly serves the world’s leading educational institutions, Fortune 500 companies, world champion sports teams, prominent healthcare providers, iconic destinations and cultural attractions, and numerous municipalities in 16 countries around the world with food and facilities management. Because of our hospitality culture, our employees strive to do great things for each other, our partners, our communities, and the planet. Aramark has been recognized on FORTUNE’s list of “World’s Most Admired Companies,” The Civic 50 by Points of Light 2024, Fair360’s “Top 50 Companies for Diversity” and “Top Companies for Black Executives,” Newsweek’s list of “America’s Most Responsible Companies 2024,” the HRC’s “Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality,” and earned a score of 100 on the Disability Equality Index. Learn more at www.aramark.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, X, and Instagram.

Selected Operational and Financial Metrics

Adjusted Revenue (Organic)

Adjusted Revenue (Organic) represents revenue, adjusted to eliminate the impact of currency translation.

Adjusted Operating Income

Adjusted Operating Income represents operating income adjusted to eliminate the change in amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets; severance and other charges; spin-off related charges and other items impacting comparability.

Adjusted Operating Income (Constant Currency)

Adjusted Operating Income (Constant Currency) represents Adjusted Operating Income adjusted to eliminate the impact of currency translation.

Adjusted Net Income

Adjusted Net Income represents net income attributable to Aramark stockholders adjusted to eliminate the change in amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets; severance and other charges; spin-off related charges; loss (gain) on equity investments, net; the effect of debt repayments and refinancings on interest expense, net, and other items impacting comparability, less the tax impact of these adjustments. The tax effect for Adjusted Net Income for our United States earnings is calculated using a blended United States federal and state tax rate. The tax effect for Adjusted Net Income in jurisdictions outside the United States is calculated at the local country tax rate.

Adjusted Net Income (Constant Currency)

Adjusted Net Income (Constant Currency) represents Adjusted Net Income adjusted to eliminate the impact of currency translation.

Adjusted EPS

Adjusted EPS represents Adjusted Net Income divided by diluted weighted average shares outstanding.

Adjusted EPS (Constant Currency)

Adjusted EPS (Constant Currency) represents Adjusted EPS adjusted to eliminate the impact of currency translation.

Covenant Adjusted EBITDA

Covenant Adjusted EBITDA represents net income attributable to Aramark stockholders adjusted for interest expense, net; provision for income taxes; depreciation and amortization and certain other items as defined in our debt agreements required in calculating covenant ratios and debt compliance. We also use Net Debt for our ratio to Covenant Adjusted EBITDA, which is calculated as total long-term borrowings less cash and cash equivalents and short-term marketable securities.

Free Cash Flow

Free Cash Flow represents net cash provided by (used in) operating activities of continuing operations less net purchases of property and equipment and other. Management believes that the presentation of free cash flow provides useful information to investors because it represents a measure of cash flow available for distribution among all the security holders of the Company.

Net New Business

Net New Business is an internal statistical metric used to evaluate our new sales and retention performance. The calculation is defined as the annualized value of gross new business less the annualized value of lost business.

We use Adjusted Revenue (Organic), Adjusted Operating Income (including on a constant currency basis), Adjusted Net Income (including on a constant currency basis), Adjusted EPS (including on a constant currency basis), Covenant Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow as supplemental measures of our operating profitability and to control our cash operating costs. We believe these financial measures are useful to investors because they enable better comparisons of our historical results and allow our investors to evaluate our performance based on the same metrics that we use to evaluate our performance and trends in our results. These financial metrics are not measurements of financial performance under generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP. Our presentation of these metrics has limitations as an analytical tool and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. You should not consider these measures as alternatives to revenue, operating income, net income, earnings per share or net cash provided by (used in) operating activities of continuing operations, determined in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted Revenue (Organic), Adjusted Operating Income, Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted EPS, Covenant Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow as presented by us may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies because not all companies use identical calculations.

Explanatory Notes to the Non-GAAP Schedules

Amortization of Acquisition-Related Intangible Assets - adjustments to eliminate the change in amortization expense recognized on acquisition-related intangible assets.

Severance and Other Charges - adjustments to eliminate severance expenses in the applicable period ($23.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2025, $36.4 million for fiscal 2025, $6.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2024 and $13.0 million for fiscal 2024).

Spin-off Related Charges - adjustments to eliminate charges related to the Company's spin-off of the Uniform segment, including accounting and legal related expenses, third party advisory costs and other costs. Adjustment also eliminates charitable contribution expense for the contribution of Vestis shares to a donor advised fund in order to fund charitable contributions ($8.8 million for fiscal 2024).

Gains, Losses and Settlements impacting comparability - adjustments to eliminate certain transactions that are not indicative of the Company's ongoing operational performance, including expense for contingent consideration liabilities related to acquisition earn outs ($11.1 million for fiscal 2025, $8.7 million reversal for the fourth quarter of 2024 and $8.2 million reversal for fiscal 2024), non-cash charges for the impairments of assets ($8.9 million for both the fourth quarter and fiscal 2025), hyperinflation in Argentina ($2.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2025, $5.7 million for fiscal 2025, $0.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2024 and $5.4 million for fiscal 2024), legal charges related to an anti-trust review ($1.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2025 and $2.5 million for fiscal 2025), non-cash adjustments to inventory based on expected usage ($18.2 million for both the fourth quarter and fiscal 2024), charges related to a ruling on a foreign payroll tax matter ($6.8 million for both the fourth quarter and fiscal 2024), non-cash charge related to the impairment of a trade name ($3.3 million for fiscal 2024), legal fees ($1.1 million for both the fourth quarter and fiscal 2024) and other miscellaneous charges.

Loss (Gain) on Equity Investments, net - adjustments to eliminate the impact of a non-cash charge for the impairment of an equity investment ($19.5 million for both the fourth quarter and fiscal 2025) and the sale of the Company's equity investment in the San Antonio Spurs NBA franchise ($25.1 million gain for both the fourth quarter and fiscal 2024).

Effect of Debt Repayments and Refinancings on Interest Expense, net - adjustments to eliminate expenses associated with the repayment of borrowings and refinancings by the Company in the applicable period such as charges related to the payment of a call premium ($23.9 million for fiscal 2024), non-cash charges for the write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs ($2.5 million for fiscal 2025, $1.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2024 and $9.0 million for fiscal 2024) and the payment of third party costs ($5.8 million for fiscal 2025 and $0.2 million for both the fourth quarter and fiscal 2024). Adjustment also eliminates expenses associated with the repricing of the United States Term B-5 Loans due 2028 and United States Term B-6 Loans due 2030 such as non-cash charges for the write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs and discount ($1.2 million for fiscal 2024) and the payment of third party costs ($0.4 million for fiscal 2024). Additionally, the adjustment eliminates the impact on interest related to a ruling on a foreign payroll tax matter ($3.9 million for both the fourth quarter and fiscal 2024).

Tax Impact of Adjustments to Adjusted Net Income - adjustments to eliminate the net tax impact of the adjustments to Adjusted Net Income calculated based on a blended United States federal and state tax rate for United States adjustments and the local country tax rate for adjustments in jurisdictions outside the United States. Adjustment to eliminate the reversal of net valuation allowances recorded against deferred tax assets in foreign subsidiaries that were previously deemed to be not realizable ($9.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2025, $21.2 million for fiscal 2025 and $3.8 million for both the fourth quarter and fiscal 2024) and eliminates the impact of the state tax treatment related to the sale of a minority interest ($4.4 million charge for year-to-date 2025). Adjustment also eliminates the tax related impact of the Company's spin-off of the Uniform segment, including disallowed transaction costs ($3.6 million charge for fiscal 2025, $1.5 million benefit for the fourth quarter of 2024 and $1.1 million charge for fiscal 2024), a valuation allowance recorded based on the Company's ability to utilize foreign tax credits ($2.9 million charge for both the fourth quarter and fiscal 2025, $1.3 million benefit for the fourth quarter of 2024 and $5.8 million charge for fiscal 2024) and the restatement of the Company's deferred tax position ($2.1 million charge for the fourth quarter of 2024 and $0.2 million charge for fiscal 2024).

Effect of Currency Translation - adjustments to eliminate the impact that fluctuations in currency translation rates had on the comparative results by presenting the periods on a constant currency basis. Assumes constant foreign currency exchange rates based on the rates in effect for the prior year period being used in translation for the comparable current year period.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements reflect our current expectations as to future events based on certain assumptions and include any statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements under the heading "Outlook" and those related to our expectations regarding the performance of our business, our financial results, our operations, our liquidity and capital resources, the conditions in our industry and our growth strategy. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "outlook," "aim," "anticipate," "have confidence," "estimate," "expect," "will be," "will continue," "will likely result," "project," "intend," "plan," "believe," "see," "look to" and other words and terms of similar meaning or the negative versions of such words. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may change at any time, and actual results or outcomes may differ materially from those that we expected.

Some of the factors that we believe could affect or continue to affect our results include without limitation: unfavorable economic conditions; natural disasters, global calamities, climate change, pandemics, energy shortages, sports strikes and other adverse incidents; geopolitical events including, ongoing tensions in the Middle East, global supply chain disruptions, inflation, volatility and disruption of global financial markets; the impact of the United States' and other countries’ trade policies including the implementation of tariffs; the failure to retain current clients, renew existing client contracts and obtain new client contracts; a determination by clients to reduce their outsourcing or use of preferred vendors; competition in our industries; increased operating costs and obstacles to cost recovery due to the pricing and cancellation terms of our food and support services contracts; currency risks and other risks associated with international operations, including compliance with a broad range of laws and regulations, including the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act; risks associated with suppliers from whom our products are sourced; disruptions to our relationship with our distribution partners; the contract intensive nature of our business, which may lead to client disputes; the inability to hire and retain key or sufficiently qualified personnel or increases in labor costs; our expansion strategy and our ability to successfully integrate the businesses we acquire and costs and timing related thereto; continued or further unionization of our workforce; liability resulting from our participation in multiemployer defined benefit pension plans; laws and governmental regulations including those relating to food and beverages, the environment, wage and hour and government contracting; liability associated with noncompliance with applicable law or other governmental regulations; new interpretations of or changes in the enforcement of the government regulatory framework; increases or changes in income tax rates or tax-related laws; potential liabilities, increased costs, reputational harm, and other adverse effects based on our commitments and stakeholder expectations relating to environmental, social and governance considerations; the failure to maintain food safety throughout our supply chain, food-borne illness concerns and claims of illness or injury; a cybersecurity incident or other disruptions in the availability of our computer systems or privacy breaches; the use of artificial intelligence technologies within our business processes; our leverage; variable rate indebtedness that subjects us to interest rate risk; the inability to generate sufficient cash to service all of our indebtedness; debt agreements that limit our flexibility in operating our business; risks associated with the completed spin-off of Aramark Uniform and Career Apparel ("Uniform") as an independent publicly traded company to our stockholders; and other factors set forth under the headings "Part I, Item 1A Risk Factors," "Part I, Item 3 Legal Proceedings" and "Part II, Item 7 Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and other sections of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on November 19, 2024 as such factors may be updated from time to time in our other periodic filings with the SEC, which are accessible on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov and which may be obtained by contacting Aramark's investor relations department via its website at www.aramark.com. These factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included herein and in our other filings with the SEC. As a result of these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements included herein or that may be made elsewhere from time to time by, or on behalf of, us. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments, changes in our expectations, or otherwise, except as required by law.

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