Food service provider at Royal Danish Library to take over canteen operations in more AU locations
Compass Group has won the tender to run canteens at Nobel Park, the Aarhus School of Dentistry, Aarhus BSS in the University Park, and Stakladen/the Conference Centre. The company already runs the canteen at the Royal Danish Library in Aarhus.
When Jespers Torvekøkken announced in February that it would withdraw from its canteen operation agreement at a number of canteens at Aarhus University from 31 May, the university had to look for a new provider.
A new agreement has now been entered into with Compass Group, which will take over the canteen operations in Nobel Park, Aarhus BSS in the University Park (formerly the Social Sciences canteen), Aarhus School of Dentistry, and catering for conferences and events at Stakladen/the Conference Centre. Compass Group has confirmed this.
The new canteens will be ready when the semester begins on 2 September. In Nobel Park, Compass Group is introducing its vegetarian concept Wicked Rabbit. There will also be a street food stall with meat options and the possibility to buy takeaway. Many already know the company and concept from the Royal Danish Library on Victor Albecks Vej, where Compass Group runs the canteen and street food stall. The Nobel Park café will be part of Compass Group’s concept Hav a Java, which the company describes as a classic café with barista coffee, freshly squeezed juice, breakfast and lunch waffles, sandwiches, salads, bagels and to-go food.
The Wicked Rabbit vegetarian food concept and a street food stall will also be introduced in the former Social Sciences canteen at Aarhus BSS. Here it will also be possible to buy takeaway.
At the Aarhus School of Dentistry, on the other hand, customers will be able to enjoy the Food & Co. concept, which the company describes as a “classic canteen with varied dishes”. A takeaway option will also be available.
In 2025-2026, Compass Group will also be responsible for running the canteen in Aarhus BSS’s new premises in the University City.
Reduced selection until 2 September
Until September, the Nobel Park canteen will offer a reduced selection of food, and at the School of Dentistry and Aarhus BSS in the University Park, staff and students will need to pre-order their lunch the day before and pick it up from a self-service fridge. This self-service option is being offered by Studenterlauget from Aarhus BSS, who have stepped in until Compass Group takes over in September.
The canteens will be completely closed from 24 August to 1 September, while Compass Group prepares for the reopening.
Jespers Torvekøkken in Emdrup
Even though Jespers Torvekøkken has withdrawn from the canteens in Aarhus, the company still runs the canteen at DPU in Emdrup. Omnibus spoke with the company’s CEO Ronny Saul in February, where he explained that it was impossible to run a profitable business within “the current contractual framework”.
Translated by Jessica Clarke Rasmussen.