Chartwells Higher Education has entered into a new Master Collaboration Agreement with Northeastern University, expanding a partnership that has lasted over fifty years. The multi-year agreement, effective June 5, 2025, establishes a structured framework for collaborative work in innovation, sustainability research, and experiential learning across the food service and hospitality sectors.
The collaboration will include research initiatives that apply AI to menu planning, inventory management, and business flow forecasting, as well as studies on robotics and sensor technologies designed to reduce workplace injuries. The partnership will also advance food safety innovation through new allergy-safe meal delivery, education, and assessment programs.
The agreement is also designed to expand student engagement and workforce development. Students will have access to experiential learning opportunities through co-ops, research fellowships, and additional project-based engagements. Chartwells team members will benefit from customized executive training programs offered through Northeastern.
The relationship between the organizations has included national recognition for campus dining innovation. Northeastern was the first university in the United States to open a LEED Gold Certified dining facility featuring multiple 3 Star Certified Green Restaurants. The university also introduced a climate labeling initiative at locations such as United Table and The Eatery at Stetson East that helps students make informed choices related to sustainability. The long-standing partnership between Chartwells and Northeastern began in 1974 and has been honored multiple times by the National Association of College and University Food Services.
Chartwells Higher Education is headquartered in Charlotte, and Northeastern continues to expand its campus presence in the city. This geographic alignment enables students, particularly those interested in the hospitality and food service fields, to engage directly with a significant regional employer.
Northeastern University, founded in 1898, is a global research university recognized for leadership in experiential learning and for integrating real-world experience into education, research, and innovation. The university offers undergraduate and graduate programs across ten colleges and schools and maintains a research enterprise aligned with solving complex global challenges.
Chartwells Higher Education offers food service management and hospitality programs to over 320 colleges and universities across the United States, with a focus on culinary excellence, nutrition, sustainability, and the creation of engaging dining environments.
KEY QUOTES:
“This partnership isn’t just about research or innovation, it’s about people. Together with Northeastern’s students and faculty, we’re exploring the future of hospitality in ways that have a positive impact on the community. Whether that’s teaming up on food safety assessments, experimenting with AI-enabled kitchens, or creating new educational pathways, it all comes back to turning big ideas into real solutions that matter in everyday life.”
Eva Wojtalewski, CEO, Chartwells Higher Education
