Compass Group USA, which operates as Chartwells Higher Education, recently notified state officials it will not renew its contract with Texas State, triggering a permanent closure of its campus operations and layoffs effective May 31.
According to a WARN notice obtained by Chron, 183 employees across a range of roles—from cooks and cashiers to supervisors and delivery drivers—will be affected by the shutdown.
Chartwells said the closure is expected to be permanent, though some workers may have a chance to stay on through a new vendor.
“We anticipate that impacted employees will be offered the opportunity to continue their employment by applying with the incoming service provider,” the company said in its notice.
Chartwells has long managed dining operations at Texas State and is part of Compass Group, one of the largest campus food service providers in the country. At Texas State, Chartwells had been responsible for day-to-day campus dining services, making its exit a significant operational shift for the university.
“Texas State University appreciates the long and positive relationship it has shared with Chartwells,” Jayme Blaschke, a spokesperson for the University told Chron via email.
The closure does not necessarily mean campus dining will disappear, but it does mark a full transition as the university moves to a new provider.
“Following a national search and competitive RFP process, a new vendor has been selected, and the university is currently negotiating and finalizing contract details,” Blaschke added. “As part of that process, TXST is working with the selected vendor to address opportunities for affected Chartwells employees.”
For workers, however, the change introduces uncertainty at a time when their jobs are effectively tied to a contract they didn’t control.
Dining and Cooking