Sodexo Delivers Flawless Concert Experience at University of Tulsa

Dining team executes large-scale event with over 60,000 attendees in just 60 days

Apr. 17, 2026 at 1:03am

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A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a collection of premium, polished objects such as a microphone, a sound mixer, and a set of event credentials, arranged elegantly on a clean, monochromatic background to conceptually represent the scale and coordination of a large-scale concert event.Sodexo's meticulous planning and execution delivered a seamless concert experience for over 60,000 attendees at the University of Tulsa.Today in Tulsa

When the University of Tulsa hosted a two-day concert by Zach Bryan that drew over 60,000 attendees, the Sodexo dining team sprang into action, rapidly preparing and executing a flawless large-scale event. Under the leadership of District Manager Josh Gilkey, the team coordinated staffing, sourced over 5,000 cases of beverages, and partnered with 10 local food trucks to deliver a seamless experience for concertgoers.

Why it matters

Sodexo's ability to execute a high-profile, high-stakes event on a tight timeline demonstrates the company's operational expertise and commitment to delivering exceptional experiences for clients and customers, even under challenging circumstances.

The details

In just 60 days, the Sodexo team planned and executed every aspect of the concert experience, from staffing over 300 employees to sourcing over 5,000 cases of beverages and coordinating with 10 local food trucks. They maintained regular campus dining operations while also preparing the event spaces, ensuring everything was in place before the crowds arrived.

  • The two-day Zach Bryan concert took place on April 3 and 4, 2026.
  • Sodexo had just 60 days to prepare for the event.

The players

Josh Gilkey

District Manager at Sodexo, who led the planning efforts for the concert event.

Ed Daugherty

Executive Campus/Regional Director of Dining at Sodexo, who reflected on the team's shared commitment to execution and delivering exceptional experiences.

Zach Bryan

The country music artist whose 'With Heaven on Tour' concert event was held at the University of Tulsa.

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What they’re saying

“This is what Sodexo is all about. It's who we are. No one person makes this happen. It takes all of us.”

— Ed Daugherty, Executive Campus/Regional Director of Dining, Sodexo

“We're in the experience business. Days like this remind us exactly why we do what we do.”

— Ed Daugherty, Executive Campus/Regional Director of Dining, Sodexo

The takeaway

Sodexo's ability to rapidly mobilize resources, coordinate a large team, and deliver a flawless concert experience for over 60,000 attendees showcases the company's operational excellence and commitment to creating exceptional experiences for its clients and customers.