The Dining of a new age
As The University's Aramark contract runs out, dining
By: Megan Harris
Issue date: 9/17/08 Section: News
As The University of Memphis enters its final year under an Aramark contract, officials are preparing for what could bring several new changes to the face of dining services in the fall of 2009.
The new contract will cover every aspect of University cuisine, including everything from pricing and the kinds of food offered to what the meals are served on and what company will be responsible for getting them to The U of M promptly. It will affect not only the Tiger Den, but the new university center and every other dining facility on campus, including Einstein Bros, the Blue Zone and the various kiosks.
The request for a proposal, a 25-30 page document outlining the wants and needs of campus dining over the next 10 years, will be submitted for public bids sometime in the next two months. Once awarded, the contract could be worth $1.5 million in investment dollars alone, though the final worth won't be known for years to come.
Residence Life and Dining Services Associate Dean Danny Armitage is preparing the RFP. He and representatives from across the campus have been working to refine the ideas of student focus groups and employee suggestions into one cohesive plan.
"We have to include everything we want, everything we already know and everything we're looking for in this proposal," Armitage said. "Every detail, no matter how minute, needs to be accounted for so each company and vendor will know how to best meet our needs."
The biggest change could be the vendors themselves. Currently, students enjoy products from Chik-fil-a, Quizno's, Subway and more, but the new contract opens up a multitude of fresh possibilities.
Armitage said The University has considered Taco Bell, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Pizza Hut, Burger King, McAlister's, Arby's, Sonic, A&W and the Panda Express all as viable options.
"It all depends on menus and food costs," Armitage said. "Plus, we're trying to get information so when we talk to those companies, we'll be as informed as possible. You can't have certain chains in the same place, like Wendy's and Burger King, Quizno's and Subway or Chik-fil-a and KFC Express. The companies won't allow it."
The new contract will cover every aspect of University cuisine, including everything from pricing and the kinds of food offered to what the meals are served on and what company will be responsible for getting them to The U of M promptly. It will affect not only the Tiger Den, but the new university center and every other dining facility on campus, including Einstein Bros, the Blue Zone and the various kiosks.
The request for a proposal, a 25-30 page document outlining the wants and needs of campus dining over the next 10 years, will be submitted for public bids sometime in the next two months. Once awarded, the contract could be worth $1.5 million in investment dollars alone, though the final worth won't be known for years to come.
Residence Life and Dining Services Associate Dean Danny Armitage is preparing the RFP. He and representatives from across the campus have been working to refine the ideas of student focus groups and employee suggestions into one cohesive plan.
"We have to include everything we want, everything we already know and everything we're looking for in this proposal," Armitage said. "Every detail, no matter how minute, needs to be accounted for so each company and vendor will know how to best meet our needs."
The biggest change could be the vendors themselves. Currently, students enjoy products from Chik-fil-a, Quizno's, Subway and more, but the new contract opens up a multitude of fresh possibilities.
Armitage said The University has considered Taco Bell, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Pizza Hut, Burger King, McAlister's, Arby's, Sonic, A&W and the Panda Express all as viable options.
"It all depends on menus and food costs," Armitage said. "Plus, we're trying to get information so when we talk to those companies, we'll be as informed as possible. You can't have certain chains in the same place, like Wendy's and Burger King, Quizno's and Subway or Chik-fil-a and KFC Express. The companies won't allow it."