Avendra International Celebrates 25 Years of Hospitality Procurement Excellence
Key Takeaways:
Avendra International is celebrating 25 years of supporting hospitality operators with procurement solutions that improve efficiency, reduce costs, and strengthen supply assurance.
Founded in 2001 by major hotel hospitality brands, Avendra has hospitality in its DNA.
AI‑powered tools like Mosaic Supply Chain AI and the integration of Hospitality IQ accelerated decision‑making and improved sustainability data accuracy.
The company continues to focus on global growth while honoring its founding principle: hospitality works better when organizations work together.
In 2026, Avendra International proudly celebrates 25 years of hospitality excellence; a milestone shaped by the clients, partners, and teams who have trusted us to support their operations, protect their supply chains, and help them deliver exceptional guest experiences.
Founded by leading hospitality brands and built on the belief that organizations are stronger together, Avendra International has grown from a bold industry concept into a leading global professional procurement services provider, serving hotels, resorts, casual restaurant chains, theme parks, cruise ships, healthcare operators, leisure destinations, and educational institutions across multiple continents.
From the beginning, our approach has been simple: listen to our clients, understand their goals, and meet their needs with solutions that make a real difference.
It’s why our guiding promise is one we stand firmly behind: We get it, and we can help.
“Our success over the past 25 years is really a reflection of our clients’ success,” said Walt Sheffler, President of Avendra International. “From day one, Avendra has existed to support operators with the tools, insights, and partnerships they need to focus on what matters most: their guests.”
Built by Hospitality Leaders
Avendra was founded in 2001 by five globally respected hospitality companies. Their vision was simple but powerful: combine collective buying power with industry expertise to unlock greater value for operators at the local level.
That hospitality-first foundation remains part of Avendra International’s DNA today.
In 2002, Avendra expanded beyond its founding group and began supporting hospitality organizations industry-wide.
“We were created by hospitality for hospitality,” Sheffler said. “That purpose continues to guide every decision we make.”
A Service-Driven Approach That Sets Us Apart
As the company grew, so did our belief that global procurement only works when paired with local expertise.
In 2003, Avendra launched its Field Support and Customer Relations Managers, creating a service model that connects clients with experts who truly understand local market conditions, cultural dynamics, and operational needs. This hands-on support remains one of our strongest differentiators.
We strengthened our digital capabilities in 2015 with the acquisition of iBuyEfficient, paving the way for modern, data-driven procurement tools that make purchasing more efficient for operators worldwide.
“The industry doesn’t stand still, and neither do our clients,” Sheffler said. “We’ve grown by listening closely, staying hands-on, and delivering solutions that create real value at the property level, the above-property level, and across organizations.”
Strategic Growth and Global Expansion
A defining moment came in 2017, when Avendra was acquired by Aramark, a global leader in foodservice and facilities management. This milestone expanded our capabilities, strengthened our supply chain intelligence, and accelerated innovation across procurement and technology.
That same year, Avendra acquired Pelican Procurement Services in the United Kingdom—our first major step into Europe.
Over the next several years, Avendra continued expanding its global reach:
2019: Acquisition of Trinity Purchasing, extending service across Ireland, Belgium, France, Germany, and the Netherlands
2022: Acquisition of Expert Cost Control, further strengthening support in Ireland
2023: Acquisition of First Choice Purchasing and the regionalization of European supply chains to drive collaboration and efficiency
Each addition deepened our local expertise and strengthened our ability to serve hospitality clients in diverse markets.
Becoming Avendra International
In 2024, Avendra officially rebranded as Avendra International, signaling our expanding global footprint and our ambition to become a fully global professional procurement services provider by 2030.
Later that year, Avendra International acquired Quantum, a global procurement organization serving Spain, Portugal, Germany, the Netherlands, Zanzibar, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Jamaica. Quantum brought expertise across food and beverage, housekeeping, energy, telecommunications, insurance, maintenance, and more, strengthening our ability to support diverse sectors and markets.
Advancing AI, Insight, and Sustainability
In 2025, we integrated AI‑powered insights into our e‑procurement experience to make decisions faster and clearer for every user. Mosaic Supply Chain AI began delivering real‑time, data‑backed recommendations—turning weeks of analysis into instant guidance—powered by Aramark’s Hospitality IQ platform. Through our MaetaData acquisition, we enhanced rapid AI capabilities for sustainability, expanding category coverage and improving attribution, which deepened the accuracy and impact of client sustainability reporting.
Today, Avendra International stands at the intersection of global procurement strength and local market knowledge, delivering scalable solutions that help clients operate more efficiently, sustainably, and competitively.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Hospitality Procurement
As we celebrate 25 years, we remain deeply committed to advancing the industries we serve through innovation, global partnerships, and local expertise that create real value.
“Avendra was built by people who believed hospitality works better when we work together,” Sheffler said. “As we honor our history, we’re also focused on what’s next. We will continue to innovate, expand globally, and deliver even greater value for our clients and partners around the world.”
Looking ahead, Avendra International will continue to support operators with solutions designed to:
Reduce costs
Improve efficiency
Strengthen supply assurance
Advance sustainability goals
Support long-term growth
And always with a personalized approach driven by local experts who understand the cultural, industry, and operational nuances of each market.
25 Years of Partnership, Progress, and Purpose
This milestone belongs to our clients, partners, suppliers, and teams who made the journey possible. From our hospitality‑first beginnings to a global platform, your success is our mission. As we look to the next 25 years, our promise remains: We get it, and we can help.
AVENDRA INTERNATIONAL CELEBRATES 25 YEARS OF HOSPITALITY PROCUREMENT EXCELLENCE
FAQs
What is Avendra International?
Avendra International is a global professional procurement services provider to a wide range of organizations, specializing in hospitality, leisure, healthcare, and education sectors. It connects operators with supplier networks, technology platforms, and local experts to reduce costs and improve operational efficiency.
What industries does Avendra International support?
While rooted in hospitality, Avendra International now supports hotels, resorts, restaurants, healthcare operators, educational institutions, leisure venues, and multi‑site operators across the globe.
What sets Avendra’s service model apart?
Avendra pairs global procurement resources with local market expertise through dedicated field support teams. This ensures operators receive personalized service that reflects regional realities, cultural nuances, and operational needs.
