News Summary
Winthrop University has announced a significant change in its food services, selecting Chartwells as the new vendor, resulting in nearly 180 job losses at Sodexo. This transition is anticipated to affect 177 employees, including cashiers, cooks, and food service workers. The decision follows a competitive bidding process and aims to address staffing challenges without compromising the quality of dining experiences on campus. Chartwells will also interview displaced workers, offering hope for some to retain employment in the same sector during this challenging time for the local workforce.
Rock Hill, South Carolina – Winthrop University is set to undergo a major transition in its food services, with the announcement that it has chosen Chartwells as its new vendor, leading to nearly 180 job losses at the current provider, Sodexo. The preliminary notification from Sodexo indicated that 177 employees in York County will be laid off due to this change, effective July 31.
The affected positions include 55 cashiers, 22 utility workers, 18 food service workers, 17 cooks, and 15 baristas, along with managerial and supervisory roles. The layoffs represent a significant impact on the local workforce, as Winthrop University has approximately 5,000 students and a total of more than 650 employees.
Winthrop University President Edward Serna confirmed that this decision follows a comprehensive bidding process that led to Chartwells’ selection, a division of Compass Group USA based in Charlotte. While the university’s shift to an external vendor is expected to reconfigure its food service operations, it also raises concerns regarding job security for existing workers.
In communication to staff earlier this year, potential job losses were foreseen, with estimates of 50 to 60 employees at risk due to outsourcing decisions that also touched on maintenance and utility positions. However, the decisions to shift vendors are stated to be unrelated to funding cuts or cost-saving measures. Instead, they are a reflection of challenges in maintaining adequate staffing levels in the labor market.
Chartwells is known for serving over 320 colleges and universities across the nation and will be tasked with interviewing workers who are displaced by this transition, potentially allowing some affected employees a chance to retain employment in the same field.
The WARN (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification) notice filed by Sodexo marks the first job loss notification this year affecting York, Lancaster, or Chester counties, within a larger trend where South Carolina has recorded 25 WARN notices impacting over 3,200 jobs collectively. This contraction coincides with the state’s current unemployment rate of 4.1%, which aligns with the national average, although the Rock Hill region has reported a marginally lower rate of 3.9% in the first quarter of the year.
Despite the layoffs, Sodexo maintains its operations in the Rock Hill School District, where it employs over 115 workers. There are still job openings available through Sodexo in various locations across South Carolina, which might offer opportunities for those affected by the layoffs at Winthrop University.
This transition at Winthrop University follows a trend of outsourcing that has been successfully implemented in other sectors such as food service, bookstores, and even campus police jobs. The university’s decision reflects an ongoing adjustment to operational strategies aimed at addressing staffing issues without sacrificing the quality and service of its dining experiences for students.
As Chartwells prepares to take over food services, the focus will now lie on ensuring a smooth transition while maintaining the welfare of the impacted workforce. The upcoming weeks will be critical as both Sodexo and Chartwells navigate these changes and provide clarity to affected employees.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
USDA Announces Major Workforce Relocation Plans
Uber Invests $300 Million in Lucid for Autonomous Vehicles
Wildfires Devastate Western North Carolina and Prompt Evacuations
NASCAR Car Wash Celebrates Grand Opening in Rock Hill
South Carolina Ranked 19th Best State for Business in 2024
Greenville Celebrates Michelin’s 50 Years in South Carolina
Rock Hill Celebrates Local Leaders with Dream Keeper Award
Cincinnati Welcomes Changes at Kroger with New Leadership Announcement
Tattoo Bill’s in Charlotte Celebrates 25 Years of Family and Ink
Additional Resources
- Herald Online
- Wikipedia: Outsourcing
- Sodexo Careers
- Google Search: Food Service Vendors
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Job Loss
Author: STAFF HERE ROCK HILL
The ROCK HILL STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERERockHill.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Rock Hill, York County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Come-See-Me Festival, Rock Hill Arts Festival, and motorsport events at the Rock Hill Velodrome. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Rock Hill Chamber of Commerce and the Culture & Heritage Museums, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and technology that power the local economy such as 3D Systems and Comporium. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
