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                                                                   EXHIBIT 23A

                              ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP

                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


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         As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the
incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement of our report dated
November 10, 1997, included in the Annual Report of ARAMARK Corporation on
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 3, 1997 and to all references to our
Firm included in or made part of this Registration Statement.


                                           /s/  Arthur Andersen LLP


Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

May 19, 1998

