Equity Investments

3 Months Ended

Dec. 28, 2012

Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]

EQUITY INVESTMENTS:

The Company’s principal equity method investment is its 50% ownership interest in AIM Services Co., Ltd., a Japanese food and support services company (approximately $215.8 million and $233.4 million at December 28, 2012 and September 28, 2012, respectively, which is included in “Other Assets” in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets). Summarized financial information for AIM Services Co., Ltd. follows (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended		Three Months Ended
	December 28, 2012		December 30, 2011
Sales	$	480,901	$	484,202
Gross profit	56,740		58,644
Net income	9,402		10,832

ARAMARK’s equity in undistributed earnings of AIM Services Co., Ltd., net of amortization related to purchase accounting for the Transaction, was $3.9 million for the three months ended December 28, 2012. ARAMARK’s equity in undistributed earnings of AIM Services Co., Ltd., net of amortization related to purchase accounting for the Transaction, was $4.4 million for the three months ended December 30, 2011.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for equity method investments and joint ventures. Equity method investments are investments that give the investor the ability to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of an investee. Joint ventures are entities owned and operated by a small group of businesses as a separate and specific business or project for the mutual benefit of the members of the group.

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