Caterers see a $3.2bn market in feeding AI data centre workers
September 29, 2026 - 1:02 pm
QTS Hillsboro data center buildings, Hillsboro, OR, USA
Credit: Hrach Hovhannisyan via Shutterstock.com
Feeding, housing, and entertaining the workforce behind AI data centers could be worth $3.2bn annually to catering companies by 2032, according to a report by Bloomberg, citing analysts at Bloomberg Intelligence.
Companies like Aramark, Compass Group, and Sodexo are already on the job, handling tasks ranging from laundry to providing food services throughout the day. The report considers both existing and upcoming data center sites.
Analysts Stuart Gordon and Evgeniy Batchvarov predict several years of strong demand ahead as data centers expand across the US, requiring more catering, cleaning, and building maintenance.
Aramark has been the most proactive, announcing in August that data center contracts will generate between $400 million and $500 million in additional revenue during its 2027 and 2028 financial years. They've secured a deal to manage dining, gyms, and entertainment at a Texas data center project employing over 4,000 people.
Citi analysts estimate this deal could generate around $100m in annual revenue once fully operational. The service package, branded Nexus, aims to attract scarce tradespeople by combining housekeeping, meals, transport, and fitness.
“Statistics are saying that the country will be short about 500,000 skilled laborers by 2028,” said Aramark CEO John Zillmer at an investor conference this month.
Bloomberg Intelligence projects Aramark to capture around 35% of the market, Compass around 30%, and Sodexo roughly 20%. While smaller, Sodexo has secured a significant deal with Meta to cater offices, data centers, and conference venues worldwide.
Compass CEO Dominic Blakemore noted that their segment serving hyperscalers, the largest cloud companies, is experiencing the fastest growth, benefiting not only caterers but also builders and manufacturers that supply these projects.
“If you start with Aramark, it looks like the opportunity is real,” said Citi analyst Leo Carrington to Bloomberg.
Although revenue is expected to peak in 2032 before dropping by approximately half due to a construction slowdown, the surge is still significant.
The massive investments in data centers, including a $40 billion takeover led by BlackRock and a $1 billion investment in Helix by Samsung, highlight the industry's growth.
However, public opposition to new data centers is growing, with 61% of American voters opposed in a recent New York Times/Siena poll, up 12 percentage points from previous surveys. Over 500 towns in the US have already banned such buildings.
Given these pressures, Carrington notes that investors are now scrutinizing caterer contracts individually.