In November 2011, Bridgewater College hired PKC to assist it with rebidding its foodservice contract. Our team began this project with a review of the foodservice operations on campus and information related to them. The review included touring the campus and facilities, talking with key stakeholders and meeting with several student groups on campus in order to determine their levels of satisfaction with the current campus dining program and to determine their current eating and lifestyle habits along with establishing goals for the financial outcome of the contract. Following the on-campus discovery process, PKC developed a web-based survey to test the early findings and potential recommendations.
PKC then returned to campus to present the findings and recommendations including solutions for meal plan challenges, facility design/functionality issues and general customer concerns. Upon approval of the recommendations from the College, PKC moved forward in putting together a comprehensive Request for Proposal document to secure a qualified operator to implement and manage the new and exciting program.
The process resulted in a contract featuring enforceable details pertaining to the daily operation of the foodservice to ensure success programmatically and financially. Operations were consolidated and a renovation of the Dining Commons seating area, funded by the new contractor, was completed. Student satisfaction with the meal plans and facilities soared the following academic year and the College maintained an attractive financial arrangement in addition to the capital investment received.
