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Building on a 50+ year partnership, the new agreement establishes a framework for AI-powered innovation, sustainability research, and experiential learning.
CHARLOTTE, N.C., Nov. 11, 2025 — Chartwells Higher Education has signed a comprehensive Master Collaboration Agreement (MCA) with Northeastern University, establishing a strategic five-year partnership focused on advancing innovation, exploration, and experiential learning opportunities in the food service and hospitality industry.
The agreement, which became effective June 5, 2025, supports collaborative projects spanning technology innovation, food safety analysis, executive training, and immersive education programs for students. Together, Chartwells and Northeastern will explore joint research initiatives on cutting-edge issues in food service, such as applying AI to improve menu planning, inventory management, and business flow predictions, assessing robotics and sensors to reduce workplace injuries, and enhancing food safety education for allergy-safe meal delivery.
The expanded partnership also provides professional development opportunities to Chartwells employees through customized executive training programs and experiential learning opportunities for students through co-ops, PhD research, and other projects.
Northeastern has been recognized as an industry leader in sustainability and innovation, becoming the first U.S. campus to have a LEED Gold-Certified dining facility with multiple 3-Star Certified Green Restaurants. The university also introduced a first-of-its-kind climate labeling program in campus dining locations like United Table and The Eatery at Stetson East to help students make more informed and sustainable food choices. The collaboration between Chartwells and Northeastern, which began in 1974, has also earned national recognition over the years, including multiple honors from the National Association of College & University Food Services (NACUFS).
“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,” said Chartwells CEO Eva Wojtalewski.
With Chartwells Higher Education headquartered in Charlotte and Northeastern’s growing campus presence in the city, the partnership creates a direct impact for students to engage with one of the region’s major hospitality employers.
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