College and University Foodservice Solutions

Serve On Campus Meals Quicker, 24/7

Keeping students on college and university campuses for meals, drinks, and snacks can be challenging. With so many other options available and delivery expanding, ordering offsite may seem easier for them. Plus many restaurants have late delivery near colleges and universities, making for steep competition.

For on-campus venues to stay in the mix, operators must stay on top of the latest food and technology trends. Providing online ordering and contactless pick-up, along with diverse menu choices, can help. Add in automation to speed up service and help with labor shortages and you have a recipe for success.

Middleby has the solutions to bring on-campus food to the head of the class. Our trusted equipment will allow colleges and universities to serve food 24/7, provide a variety of menu choices, and automate processes to free up staff. Middleby can equip college and university food venue kitchens of all sizes.

1 – Eliminating Labor Challenges in College and University Foodservice

If menu diversity and convenient foodservice are the vehicle for keeping students on campus, the drive, then, are the staff who run those operations. As just about every industry knows today, especially in foodservice, finding that staff can be a difficult and laborious task.

There are many ways to approach labor challenges in foodservice. From the basic human resources elements like great hiring, training, and retention programs to more innovative solutions that help make labor more efficient, staffing doesn’t have to be so daunting. Strategies like automation, contactless pickup, and equipment that’s easy to operate and is accessible for cross training, university foodservice can get ahead of the game.

2 – Keeping College Students On Campus During Meal Times

College students eating lunch

Yes, that is the real challenge for college foodservice directors. Keeping students on campus is the ultimate goal of increasing revenue in college dining facilities, so how can this be achieved? In reality, it goes back to trends.

Diverse menus and convenience will encourage students to stay on campus versus leave it. In fact, one could make the argument on-campus dining is much more convenient than walking across campus to a restaurant across the street. Speed of service, contactless pickup options, and the ability to place an order 24/7 can also help drive on-campus dining efforts.

3 – Emerging Trends In College and University Dining

College and university dining has always been a reflection of two things – the preferences of the college-aged demographic and the overall food and beverage trends that exist in other types of foodservice operations.

On today’s college campuses, a more diverse student body seeks a more diverse selection of menu items. Ever-busy college students continue to look for convenience as a driver of their food and beverage choices. And for Foodservice Directors, the goal to keep students on campus is even more challenging with a wide array of off-campus dining options.

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