Ilokivi lunch restaurant joins Semma Oy

News, Restaurant / 8.12.2023

The Student Union of the University of Jyväskylä JYY sells its Ilokivi lunch restaurant business to Semma Oy by decision of the Council of Representatives of the Student Union JYY. The operations of the Ilokivi lunch restaurant will be transferred in their entirety to Semma Oy on 1.1.2024. The transaction does not apply to Ilokivi Venue’s event business.

This is a measure in line with the business strategy of the Student Union, in which the lunch restaurant is transferred to JYY’s affiliate Semma Oy. The lunch restaurant staff will be transferred to Semma Oy as old employees.

In the future, JYY will focus on developing rental housing and high-quality premises especially for students through its business unit Soihtu. JYY will retain control of the business operations of Ilokivi Venue and develop it as part of Soihtu business unit.

“JYY will continue to work closely with all restaurant operators on the campuses of the University of Jyväskylä to develop student restaurant services. High-quality and nutritious food is one of the key factors in maintaining the ability to study. JYY’s ambition is that student life in Jyväskylä is the best in Finland’, says Konsta Tarnanen, Chair of the Board of Executives at Student Union JYY.

“The transfer of the lunch restaurant business to our affiliate, Semma Oy, is a significant change for the Student Union JYY. Emotionally it’s bittersweet, yet clearly justified. As part of Semma, which specializes in restaurant business as its core activity, Ilokivi has better prospects for success in the future than our current model at the Student Union allows”

Timo Lahtinen, Managing Director at Soihtu Business Unit of JYY.

Jarmo Sallinen, Managing Director of Semma Oy, wants to ensure a smooth transition: “It is great to have the traditional Ilokivi as part of Semma Oy’s restaurant operations. Ilokivi has enjoyed great respect among the university community for a long time, and we definitely want to make sure that this will continue to be the case in the future. As a first step, we want to make the transition as natural as possible and ensure that the atmosphere of Ilokivi and favourite foods are preserved.”

Semma and Ilokivi share an insightful understanding of the expectations of the University community and a common set of values. The vision of Semma is to be the most thought provoking campus restaurant in Finland, promising pleasant and tasty experiences to all old and new customers of Ilokivi also in the future.

More information:

Timo Lahtinen, Managing Director, Student Union JYY, Soihtu Business Unit of JYY
+358 44 970 2160, timo.lahtinen@soihtu.fi

Jarmo Sallinen, Managing Director, Semma Oy
+358 44 710 9513, jarmo.sallinen@semma.fi

The JYY student union of the University of Jyväskylä is an association under public law, to which every undergraduate student of the University of Jyväskylä automatically joins. JYY oversees the interests of its members at the university and in society, and owns the Soihtu Business Unit, through which it manages and develops high-quality housing primarily for the needs of students. Visit website: jyy.fi

Semma Oy offers versatile restaurant, cafe, bakery and catering services, especially in the campus area of the University of Jyväskylä. As a joint venture with the University of Jyväskylä, the Student Union JYY and Compass Group FS Finland Oy, Semma aims to be a unique restaurant campus that respects the old traditions of Seminaarinmäki. Semma Oy currently has a total of 14 locations, one own bakery, and almost 100 employees. Visit website: semma.fi