Aramark at AOK Rhineland/Hamburg
As a full-service caterer, Aramark is one of the leading providers in corporate catering in Germany. At Aramark, District Manager Fabian Eekhoff is responsible for the customer AOK Rhineland /Hamburg in Cologne. The goal of implementing VisioLab in the corporate restaurant was to further improve service and increase efficiency.
During the tender phase for AOK’s corporate catering, a gastronomic concept with three independent counters was developed, intended to be operated by a chef and a rotating cashier. It quickly became apparent that the cashier needed to be relieved. Aramark sought a solution that met the gastronomic requirements and provided added value to guests through automation and digitalization. Eekhoff stated, “We immediately realized that we needed relief in the checkout process. The question arose: What should we focus on? Our clear priority is the gastronomic service. And where can we create added value through automation or digitalization, both for us as caterers and for AOK employees?”
After thoroughly evaluating various providers, Aramark chose VisioLab’s AI-based self-checkout solution. The system had already proven its performance and user-friendliness during a pilot phase at another Aramark location. “We started with a checkout rate of about 10 percent, and then increased it to 35 to 40 percent, clearly demonstrating a point of efficiency. Waiting times were reduced because more guests could be served without needing an additional staff member.” This pilot phase allowed Aramark to observe the practical application and benefits of the VisioLab solution in a real-world environment. At AOK, this efficiency was integrated from the beginning and continuously improved, accelerating and simplifying the entire checkout process. Eekhoff explains, “At AOK Rhineland /Hamburg, we started this way from the beginning [...] it is certainly faster.” Support and training of staff by VisioLab were also crucial. They ensured that employees and guests quickly became familiar with and could efficiently use the new system. Eekhoff emphasizes, “At the beginning, you always need people to implement the whole system and train the staff. VisioLab is, for me, the leading provider. That’s why we decided to continue our path with VisioLab.”
The installation and commissioning went smoothly. “The commissioning of the system was absolutely straightforward for me, as someone who wants to focus on our gastronomic work,” says Eekhoff. Furthermore, Aramark benefited from the collaboration between VisioLab and the cash register provider Cash Control. Fabian Eekhoff comments, “The collaboration between VisioLab and the cash service provider was perfect. Problems were not passed on to the operations management but resolved directly between them.”
VisioLab was able to overcome the previous challenges of automation and digitalization. “One of the challenges in gastronomy is the shortage of labor. We are currently struggling to find traditional cash register staff on the market. Therefore, we had to focus on how we could automate or digitize. Not to reduce staff, but to fill the gap that exists,” Eekhoff explains. With the installation of the VisioLab solution, Aramark was able to further improve its service while also increasing efficiency. Meeting Individual Needs: At AOK Rhineland/Hamburg, Aramark offers component-based catering. VisioLab has particularly stood out in the market with its component recognition feature. Fabian Eekhoff states, “I have to say, we did vendor comparisons, and VisioLab has solved the issue of components and differently composed meals the best in the end.”
Adapting to specific requirements with high accuracy and efficiency makes VisioLab a valuable solution for various gastronomic environments. Aramark was able to reduce its administrative burden while ensuring high service quality. Guest Reactions: Guests reacted positively to the new system. The intuitive and user-friendly operation was well-received and quickly led to routine use. The clear and visual presentation of dishes and prices significantly contributed to acceptance, as guests always knew exactly which dishes they had chosen and what they cost. “The guest immediately sees what the system has recognized and what’s on my tray - that makes it intuitive and clear.” Training of Employees: The collaboration and implementation of the system were facilitated and successfully carried out by the human element behind the technology. “The implementation and training of staff by VisioLab were perfect, and that was important. The customer’s
employees were open-minded and almost playfully enjoyed interacting with the system [...] the operation is intuitive and now routine,” says Eekhoff.
VisioLab has proven that it not only offers innovative technologies but also provides excellent service that meets customer needs and fosters long-term partnerships. This was a decisive factor for Aramark to successfully implement the project with the client AOK Rheinland/Hamburg and ensure that all requirements and challenges were quickly and efficiently resolved. Fabian Eekhoff emphasizes: “There is a team behind VisioLab, without whom we would not have carried out the project. That’s important!” The introduction of VisioLab’s self-checkout solution in Aramark’s corporate restaurant in Cologne has streamlined operations.
