Written by Jessica Ardrey
If you’re not a freshman, there is a good chance you’ve noticed the changes in the student center.
If you are a freshman, you might have wondered why the seniors were so excited the first day back. To sum it up, the deli moved, the burgers got technical, and now there is fried rice.
Last year, when ARAMARK surveyed the student body about what kinds of food they would like to see offered in the student center, a top suggestion was Asian food. After previewing various restaurants, they decided on Jump Asian, a national brand out of Ohio. Representatives visited the campus, specified certain remodels and trained Harding workers on recipes and procedures before school started.
“We felt like it was the best fit for what the students were asking,” said Sue Blanton, cafeteria manager at Harding. “They have a really good variety with all the different combinations and options.”
Sweet and sour chicken is not the only new addition to the menu. Because multiple students voiced a desire for sushi, ARAMARK complied. However, the sushi served on campus will not actually be produced by ARAMARK.
“We sensed that [sushi] was out of what we would be able to do, but we also knew that that’s what the students want,” Blanton said.
Instead, ARAMARK will bring in sushi from Searcy’s China Star Buffet to be sold Monday through Friday.
Another big change in the student center is the Burger Studio, which is an ARAMARK concept restaurant. There are now two large touch screens used to place orders. Blanton said these kiosks were dreamed up by students, for students. College kids from all over the country worked together to create the concept for Burger Studio. Harding is the first to open the restaurant in the region, and will host other ARAMARK managers interested in the restaurant.
“The thing is, students these days are all about the high-tech. They walk right up to it and know exactly what to do,” Blanton said. ” This is their creation, and we’re just trying to implement it to the universities.”
So far, there have been a few glitches with the kiosks, but Blanton said that just comes with learning the new products.
In order to make room for Jump Asian Express, what was once Montague’s Deli moved into the pit next to Taco Bell Express. With the new location came a new name: Bison Bistro 1924.
“We really just wanted to honor the school itself and its beginning,” Blanton said.
The Bistro added some new items, such as bagels and a new “skinny” wheat bread. There are also plans to add specialty sandwiches.
Freshëns Smoothie Company, which used to be next to Taco Bell Express, is no longer in the student center. Blanton said it was removed after much consideration, a decision based on the response of the students.
“The Smoothie Company was more seasonal, so it didn’t offer as much for the students year round,” Blanton said. “Plus, with Java City offering smoothies, we felt that at least the students weren’t losing that aspect.”
