ARAMARK Completes Acquisition of Hospital Clinical Equipment Services Business of Premier, Inc.

Business Editors

PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 1, 2002

ARAMARK (NYSE:RMK), a world leader in managed services, announced that it has completed the acquisition of the Clinical Technology Services (CTS) business from Premier, Inc., one of the nation's largest alliances of not-for-profit hospitals and healthcare systems, for approximately $100 million in cash.

ARAMARK will now provide clinical equipment services - overseeing the management, maintenance and repair of clinical equipment - for an expanded client base of more than 340 healthcare institutions in the U.S., including 168 Premier member hospital and healthcare organizations across the country.

The acquisition further positions ARAMARK as a leading provider of managed services to healthcare institutions.

The company provides a broad range of managed services to more than 1,200 healthcare institutions around the world, including site operations and maintenance, energy management, housekeeping, patient transportation, laundry and linen, patient dietary planning and menu development, retail food services and other services.

About ARAMARK

ARAMARK is a world leader in providing managed services, including food, facility and other support services, uniform and career apparel and childcare and early education. ARAMARK has leadership positions serving the business, education, healthcare, government, sports and recreation sectors.

ARAMARK is ranked No. 1 in the outsourcing services category and is among the Top 50 companies overall in FORTUNE Magazine's 2002 "Most Admired Companies in America." Headquartered in Philadelphia, ARAMARK has approximately 200,000 employees serving customers in 17 countries.

Forward-Looking Statements

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor from civil litigation for forward-looking statements that reflect our current views as to future events and financial performance with respect to our operations. These statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts.

They use words such as "aim," "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "will be," "will continue," "will likely result," "project," "intend," "plan," "believe" and other words and terms of similar meaning in conjunction with a discussion of future operating or financial performance.

Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors (many of which are beyond our control) that could cause actual results to differ materially from the future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

The forward-looking statements regarding such matters are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by us in light of our experience and our perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors we believe are appropriate in the circumstances.

Factors that might cause such a difference include: unfavorable economic conditions, including ramifications of the September 11 terrorist attacks and other terrorist attacks, increased operating costs, shortages of qualified personnel and other factors leading to increased labor costs, costly compliance with governmental regulations, currency risks and other risks associated with international markets, risks associated with acquisitions, including our ability to integrate and derive the expected benefits from our acquisition of ServiceMaster Management Services and other acquisitions, competition, decline in attendance at client facilities, unpredictability of sales and expenses due to contract terms, significant leverage, claims relating to the provision of food services, liability associated with non-compliance with governmental regulations, including regulations pertaining to food services, the environment and childcare service, seasonality, adverse publicity concerning incidents at childcare centers and levels of enrollment in our education business.

For further information regarding risks and uncertainties associated with ARAMARK's business, please refer to the "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition" and "Risk Factors" sections of ARAMARK's SEC filings, including, but not limited to, its annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, copies of which may be obtained by contacting ARAMARK's investor relations department at www.aramark.com.

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect the events or circumstances arising after the date as of which they are made. As a result of these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements included herein or that may be made elsewhere from time to time by, or on behalf of, us.