Compass Group has just opened four new cafés at Aarhus University (AU). The expansion marks another step in a long-term partnership, where since 2024 we have been part of the university’s everyday life through the operation of a meeting and conference centre as well as several canteens and cafés.
Compass Group already operates the canteens in Nobelparken, the Aarhus BSS canteen in Universitetsparken, and the canteen at the School of Dentistry.
Since 26 January, we have also opened new cafés in Universitetsbyen, including the canteen at Universitetsstrøget and the canteen in the City Auditorium, as well as taken over the operation of the canteen in Molecular Biology in Universitetsbyen and Kitchen.
AU is working strategically to develop the campus as a place where people not only study and work, but also spend time, meet, and engage in communities. Café and food offerings play a central role here as social gathering points that connect daily life before, during, and after classes. This is exactly the ambition we are proud to support.
Esben Luplau, Market Director for Education Sites at Compass Group, says:
“At Compass Group, we see cafés and canteens as much more than places to eat. They are important settings for community, relationships, and wellbeing on campus. AU’s visions for the new university district are a strong match with our approach to food and meals as something that brings people together and creates life on campus. Our collaboration with AU has been characterised by trust and shared ambitions, and that is exactly what makes it possible to develop solutions that add value to students’ everyday lives.”
At Compass Group, we are also proud that our existing cafés at AU have a guest satisfaction score of 92.3%, demonstrating a strong foundation that we continue to build on with the new cafés.
The expansion supports AU’s ambition to create a vibrant and attractive study environment where social meeting places are a natural part of campus life.
Peter Bachmann Vestergaard, Technical Manager at Aarhus BSS, Aarhus University, says:
“There are many details that need to fall into place when a new canteen operator starts at AU, and this start-up has been particularly complex due to the launch of the new cafés in Universitetsbyen. Throughout the process, Compass Group has worked professionally with the task and has been responsive to AU’s visions for the canteens and expectations for the collaboration. The use of the canteens confirms that Compass has had a strong start, and AU looks forward to continuing the development of catering services at the university together with Compass Group.”
In 2027, Compass Group will further expand at AU, where we will, among other things, take responsibility for a large new canteen as part of the upcoming university district.