Also upgrading the Chick-fil-a.
Delta State University is on its way to becoming a dream dining destination. School officials are excited about new national food chains opening up on the campus in the Nowell Student Union building.
“About a year ago, the University put out a Request For Proposal for a new food service vendor,” said Kelvin Davis, Director of Student Business Services. “And the response we got back was tremendous. We saw a number of presentations, but ended up going with Sodexo as our new food service operator because of the great potential they saw for Delta State.
Jerry Fyre, Food Service Manager who oversees the operations, said that student and city population are the main factors in major chains deciding where to locate as is what other food and dining establishments are already in the area. “There is a good deal of criteria that goes into these decisions,” he says, “and Delta State and Cleveland met them all.”
“We were also fortunate enough to get a Starbucks on campus about a year ago,” Davis, a Cleveland native and DSU employee since 2015, said, “as well as a Burger Bistro. Both restaurants joined our Burrito Bowl concept which was already in our retail area. Our Starbucks is the only location within 100 miles of Memphis or Jackson, as a matter of fact,” Davis added. “And, of course, not only can the students partake of what we offer here at Delta State, the general public can do the same–non-students are and will be welcomed. We are working right now in preparation for re-opening in the fall and are excited about our new additions.” The popular, Georgia-based Chick-fil-a has been on campus since 2004, Davis said, but as a smaller version of what the new location will end up being. “In the fall it will offer an expanded menu, ranging from the world famous chicken sandwich to milkshakes to salads to many additional menu items that have not been served in the past,” he said.”Plus, Firehouse Subs, a great, well-known national chain will be opening here in August. The variety will be fantastic!”
“Having all of these top-notch and well-loved establishments on campus actually acts as a recruitment and retention tool,” Davis went on to add. “Students love having variety and it truly does factor into their decision on where they want to go to school–it adds to their quality of life. That said, we are fortunate to have such outstanding national chains here at Delta State.”
By Jack criss
The Bolivar Bullet