Chartwells Losing SCSU Dining Contract, 153 Workers To Be Laid Off

(KNSI) – More than 150 workers at St. Cloud State University’s dining operation are set to lose their jobs this summer after food service contractor Chartwells lost its service contract with the school.

Compass Group USA, which operates as Chartwells, notified the State Rapid Response Team of the permanent closure and layoffs of 153 people in a federal filing. The layoffs are scheduled to begin on July 1st.

Nearly every role at the campus operation is being eliminated. That includes cooks, food service workers, a general manager, an executive chef, a financial analyst, and the assistant director of dining services. Hourly supervisors, food unit leads, bookkeepers, a unit marketing manager, and interns are also on the list.

The workers are not represented by a union, and the filing notes that no bumping rights exist. Chartwells says it is helping affected employees find other positions within the broader Compass Group. Chartwells has provided dining services at St. Cloud State since 2016, when the university ended a 10-year partnership with Sodexo. The operation was rebranded as Huskies Dining in 2023.

St. Cloud State told KNSI News, “Sodexo was selected last month as the university’s new campus dining partner, with the contract beginning July 1st, 2026. As is typical with dining services transitions, Sodexo has been in contact with current full-time employees and student workers about future opportunities, and many long-serving Garvey Commons staff have successfully navigated similar changes over their decades on campus. We will be able to provide further details on the employee rehiring process in the coming weeks.”

Chartwells is also closing its operation at Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, where 64 employees will be laid off on the same July 1st date, also due to the loss of a service contract.

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