Elior North America and Celebrity Chef Fabio Viviani Launch All-Day Retail Dining Brands Designed for the Modern University Experience

New partnership to introduce flexible, high-impact dining models designed to boost student satisfaction and drive growth across all dayparts

HOUSTON, Oct. 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Elior North America, a leading foodservice provider in collaboration with Fabio Viviani Hospitality (FVH), have introduced a dynamic portfolio of chef-driven, all-day dining brands tailored for Elior Collegiate Dining. These innovative brands are crafted to elevate the student dining experience, foster on-campus engagement, and drive revenue across all meal periods, from early morning to late night.

Elior's passion for food is well known and experienced through innovative culinary collaborations, including this one with Celebrity Chef Fabio Viviani. Through this partnership, acclaimed chef and culinary personality Viviani has helped develop a collection of scalable, culinary-forward brands that reflect evolving student tastes, diverse dietary needs, and lifestyle preferences. As a renowned restaurateur, Top Chef fan favorite, and experienced hospitality entrepreneur, Viviani is known for creating high-impact dining experiences that combine culinary creativity with broad consumer appeal, making him a natural partner for redefining the modern campus dining experience.

What sets Viviani's brands apart is not only the vibrant experience and engagement they bring to campus, but the food itself. Each brand celebrates authentic preparation methods, fresh and seasonal ingredients, and flavors rooted in the traditions and cultures they represent. From scratch-made pasta sauces and wood-fired pizzas to allergen-friendly, clean-eating dishes, the menus are designed to deliver both comfort and discovery in every bite. These culinary details transform each restaurant into a true destination, drawing students back not just for convenience, but for memorable food experiences.

Through this partnership Viviani has worked closely with the Elior North America culinary teams to create chef-crafted brands that were developed as QSRs (quick service restaurants) that cater to diverse tastes and dietary needs including: 

• Good Habit - A fresh take on the classic American diner
• Santorini - Elevated Greek and Mediterranean Street Food 
• Buona Napoli - An old-school Italian meets modern pizza and calzone counter
• Thrive - A completely allergen-aware concept built around clean eating, free of common allergens 
• Primi - Made-to-order pasta with house made sauces 
• Taco Santo – A fast casual Mexican street food featuring tacos, burritos and bowls
• Oak & Ash – BBQ featuring regional traditions from brisket to pulled pork and scratch made sauces
• Dolce Vita – A modern Italian café experience featuring rich coffee roasts and warm pastries
• Performance Eatery – A next gen-generation health-conscious concept to fuel athletes and active individuals
• Sandwich Shoppe & Deli – bold sandwiches with bold flavors pressed to perfection

"These brands are destinations in themselves," said Chris Aquilino Chief Culinary Officer of Elior North America. "They're designed not just to serve food, but to create experiences that bring students together and foster a sense of community. By partnering with Fabio Viviani Hospitality, we're excited to offer students vibrant, chef-driven options that reflect their tastes, support their lifestyles, and contribute to a stronger, more connected campus culture, one incredible bite at a time."

"Food is the easiest way to make people feel at home. With Elior North America, we're creating dining spaces where students can relax, recharge, and actually look forward to mealtime," said Chef Fabio Vivani. "This is how we cook for our own children, with fresh ingredients, bold flavors, and food that makes you feel good. For parents, it's peace of mind knowing their students are nourished, happy, and surrounded by a sense of community every day. With our food, students look forward to dining, not just eating because they have to eat. Fresh pasta, wood-fired pizza, bold flavors, this is the kind of food that gets you excited."

"The partnership between Elior North America and Fabio Vivani is evidence of our 'Why can't we?' mindset put into action," said Travis Young Senior President of Education for Elior North America. "With the culinary creativity and innovation from Fabio Viviani Hospitality, and Elior's commitment to meeting students where they are at, we are bringing a dining experience to campuses across the country that is second-to-none."

Unlike traditional campus dining programs, these chef-driven brands are designed for maximum flexibility and all-day appeal, thriving across every meal period, from breakfast and lunch to late-night, takeout, and delivery. This approach not only captures untapped revenue potential during off-peak hours but also supports students' on-the-go lifestyles. By offering elevated dining experiences paired with social-ready visuals and immersive marketing, the brands help drive student loyalty, engagement, and a deeper connection to campus culture.

The partnership is already underway, with new dining brands live at West Virginia University and Frostburg State University, and planned rollouts at additional campuses across the country.

For more information on this partnership and Elior North America, visit www.elior-na.com, and www.elior-collegiatedining.com. 

About Elior North America
Elior North America is a family of distinct hospitality companies with more than 50 years of industry experience, and 16,000 team members united in our passion for food, service and excellence. We share an appetite for growth which drives all of us to continually reimagine our customers' experience. The company is part of the European contract catering firm Elior Group. Learn more at www.elior-na.com.

About Fabio Viviani
Fabio Viviani is a celebrity chef, hospitality developer, restaurateur, best-selling cookbook author, and television personality. Born and raised in Florence, Italy, Fabio moved to the United States in 2005 to pursue greater opportunities in the culinary world. His passion for hospitality and raw talent, paired with his signature charisma, quickly propelled him to nationwide fame. Fabio first captured America's attention in 2008 as a standout contestant on Bravo's hit series Top Chef, where he was voted "Fan Favorite." His success on the show led to a return appearance on Top Chef: All Stars and launched a thriving career that has spanned over two decades. Since then, Fabio has opened more than 40 restaurants, bars, and hospitality venues across the country, with many more in development. Through his company, Fabio Viviani Hospitality (FVH), he leads a growing portfolio of acclaimed establishments, including LAGO, Giostra, Seville, Taverna Toscana, Taverna Costale, Adelina, Chuck Lager and more. Expanding into the world of casinos and resorts, Fabio and the FVH team now oversee food and beverage operations at Morongo Casino Resort in California, and the newly opened Wind Creek Casino in Chicago. Beyond traditional restaurants, Fabio is an innovator in the culinary space. In 2022, he launched JARS, a revolutionary gourmet dessert concept that has rapidly expanded to locations in Chicago, Southern California, Northern California, and St. Louis. He is also a partner in CookUnity, a national meal delivery service that connects consumers with handcrafted meals from top chefs around the country. Fabio's influence extends far beyond the kitchen. A regular guest on national and regional television programs, he continues to captivate audiences with his cooking expertise and engaging personality. His social media platforms and YouTube channel have become go-to destinations for food lovers seeking recipes, cooking tips, and entertaining content. An accomplished author, Fabio has published four successful cookbooks, including the New York Times best-seller Fabio's Italian Kitchen.

He is currently featured on the latest season of Food Network's Tournament of Champions with Guy Fieri.
To learn more about Fabio Viviani, visit www.FabioViviani.com.

SOURCE Elior North America