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Ian Difina

Research Analyst at Oppenheimer

Ian Difina is an Executive Director and Senior Equity Research Analyst at Oppenheimer & Co., specializing in the coverage of consumer and retail companies with a particular focus on industry leaders such as McDonald's, Starbucks, and Chipotle. He has built a reputation for insightful analysis and accurate stock recommendations, consistently outperforming industry benchmarks with a ranking in the top quartile on platforms like TipRanks and maintaining a success rate near 66% with a strong average return. Difina began his career in equity research at Oppenheimer in the early 2010s, advancing through roles to his current position, and previously held research and analyst posts at other leading investment firms. He holds FINRA Series 7, 63, and 86/87 licenses, reinforcing his expertise and credibility in the financial sector.

Ian Difina's questions to Aramark (ARMK) leadership

Question · Q4 2025

Ian Difina inquired about the shift in timing for new account openings, asking if it was sector-specific, likely to continue, or influenced by economic factors, and also sought clarity on the 2026 cadence, particularly regarding the Penn Medicine contract ramp-up and other new deals.

Answer

CEO John Zillmer explained that the opening shifts occurred across multiple businesses, including corrections, workplace experience, and healthcare, primarily due to client-driven timing to ensure effective transitions. He noted that while significant in Q4 2025, such deferrals are not typical. Zillmer confirmed the Penn Medicine contract would begin operations in February 2026, staging over several months, and reiterated a robust new business pipeline for 2026 with a more normal cadence.

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