In the Fall 2012, PKC was retained by Ewing Cole Architects and Kutztown University (KU) to assist in the development of a campus-wide master plan. Our scope of work included providing recommendations for the significant enhancement of dining services on campus and an overall evaluation and assessment of the campus dining services. As part of the process, our team studied KU’s strategic master plan and considered how the planned changes to the campus and the University’s initiatives would impact the foodservice operations. An important goal of the University was to create a best-in-class residential and retail dining program.
Our team kept these goals in mind as we completed in-depth market research with the KU campus community and used the market research to create recommendations for the implementation of an Anytime Dining Program which provides meal plan holders with unlimited access to upgraded foodservice facilities, 24 hours a day seven days per week.
Additionally, our team recommended the elimination of meal periods, meal plan equivalencies and restrictions on the number of meals that may be eaten each day. We also provided recommendations that included direction regarding the renovation of South Dining Hall and Cub Café and for retail dining concepts in the Academic Forum. Our recommendations provided KU with a strategic plan for a more contemporary and customer preference-based dining program that also supports the University’s mission and strategic plan well into the future. PKC also assisted the University with all aspects of renegotiating its foodservice contract with its current operator through an incumbent-only bid process. This effort included the development and issuance the incumbent-only RFP, evaluating the incumbent operator’s bid response and conducting contract negotiations with KU and its foodservice operator. The result was a signed agreement.
KU recently completed the $8.7 million makeover of the Cub Café. This venue has been transformed from an area that featured limited food stations into an Anytime Dining venue that features made-to-order offerings and all-you-care-to-eat service. In addition, the seating area of the Café now features a wide array of seating options ranging from traditional tables to bar seating, high tops, lounge areas and two oversized round booths. Student response has been extremely positive.
