Sodexo Live opens new aviation academy near Atlanta Airport aimed at improving lounge services

The focus of this initiative is on team bonding and skills building, ultimately aiming to improve customer service and employee retention at various work sites including airports. The training center will offer five-day sessions for managers initially; however, front-line employees will also have opportunities for one- or two-day in-person trainings.

"In order to elevate the overall business, we have to start with our leaders," Arica Allen, Vice President of Hospitality and Innovation for Sodexo's Global Aviation Group said. "This center is a testament to that. "

Dubbed an "aviation academy," it features classrooms for teaching sessions and a realistic lounge setup designed for practical training purposes. This includes a living room-type space with an interactive screen and full bar with various seating areas along with coffee bar setups and dining areas.

One notable feature was a busser robot seen during TPG's visit—a technology becoming increasingly common in hotel restaurants and lounges globally.

Additionally, there is an attached culinary warehouse servicing Atlanta's eight Delta Sky Clubs—marking Sodexo Live's first own supply center instead of relying on outside vendors.

When asked about investing heavily in employee training Allen responded: "It has to mean an elevated customer experience... We're not just in the service industry; we're in the hospitality industry which is very emotional. "

Sodexo Live isn't stopping here; they're also adding five new full-time training positions dedicated solely towards their airport lounge portfolio—a move expected to significantly impact culture across their global lounges.