Aramark launches first Just Walk Out store in a US corporate headquarters

As more employees return to the office, business leaders face a changing workforce with evolving needs. Many recognize that employees value convenience when purchasing food or beverage items at the office and are usually on a mission-driven shopping trip. They shop on the go, quickly selecting items—whether arriving at the office, taking lunch or a break, or leaving to commute home.

Aramark, a Fortune 200 global leader in food and facilities management, aims to meet growing demands for convenient, 24/7 workplace nourishment. In June, Aramark opened The Market at its global headquarters in Center City, Philadelphia. The Market is the first Just Walk Out technology store to open in a US corporate HQ.

The Market at Aramark. Source: Aramark

Meeting at The (optimized) Market

Aramark provides food services and facilities management in 15 countries worldwide. Its customers include educational institutions, Fortune 500 companies, sports teams, healthcare providers, destinations and cultural attractions, and numerous municipalities. Aramark’s riverfront Philadelphia HQ hosts more than 1,200 management and support associates and offers a dynamic work environment with exciting amenities. The Market has an extensive retail selection, including grab-and-go meals, sweet and savory snacks, and fridges stocked with soft drinks, waters, and juices.

The Market at Aramark. Source: Aramark

“The LifeWorks café in our Aramark headquarters in Philadelphia is a great example of how the guest experience is always top of mind for us,” said Greta Patel, regional vice president of LifeWorks Restaurant Group. “Every part of the journey is mapped out, creating a seamless and efficient experience. The Market, with Just Walk Out technology, adds to the overall employee experience, allowing guests to move quickly through the store and get back to their day.”

Shopping hassle free

Just Walk Out technology is a checkout-free shopping experience. Customers scan a credit card to enter The Market, grab what they need, and simply walk out without waiting in line. Just Walk Out technology uses deep learning, sensor fusion, and AI and computer vision (RFID technology) to automatically detect when customers take or return items. It tracks acquired items using a virtual cart. When the customer leaves, they’re charged for the items they take.

This technology can also track a group of people shopping together. When a group enters the store using a single credit card, the system tracks each individual but associates the group with the same payment method. This is especially useful for hosted shopping trips, where an Aramark employee purchases items for a meeting. When the group exits, the system recognizes which people were shopping together and generates one receipt for the collective transaction.

Grabbing goods to keep going

Just Walk Out stores in office environments help businesses increase sales, reduce theft, and showcase innovation. The Market at Aramark enables extended operating hours and optimizes staffing, giving store associates more time to focus on higher-value tasks—even during peak hours—which reduces operating costs without sacrificing sales.

“Wherever people are busy or in a hurry, we see the value of Just Walk Out technology,” said Jon Jenkins, VP of Just Walk Out technology by Amazon. “If you’re in the office, you may only have a few minutes between meetings to grab a bite and a drink and get back to your desk. The Market by Aramark provides a fast, friction-free employee shopping experience.”

The Market at Aramark. Source: Aramark

Other Just Walk Out locations in partnership with Aramark include the Viking Market at North Park University in Chicago, Lesley on the Go at Lesley University (with Aramark Collegiate Hospitality), and Minute Maid Park and Coors Field (with Aramark Sports + Entertainment).

Learn more at justwalkout.com and connect with us on LinkedIn.