Friday, August 27th, 2010

Lawrence Tech’s new food services provider, ARAMARK, has worked tirelessly over the summer to implement a new approach to dining services, Real Food on Campus (RFoC), and make major improvements to campus food facilities.

Lawrence Technological University has awarded a 10-year contract to ARAMARK to provide food services on campus. ARAMARK has invested more than $750,000 in renovating the dining facilities and building the Einstein Bros. Bagels shop in the Buell Management Building atrium and the Provisions on Demand Express (POD) shop in the University Technology and Learning Center (UTLC) lobby.

ARAMARK is a major supplier to college campuses, including the food services at Saginaw Valley State University, Central Michigan University, Grand Valley State University and the University of Toledo.

Nancy Thomas is the new campus dining director at Lawrence Tech. She previously worked for ARAMARK at the University of Michigan-Dearborn and worked in food services at Oakland University. The new executive chef is Leo Tykoski, who has worked for ARAMARK for 10 years and has won awards for his ice sculptures and culinary creations.

“ARAMARK was chosen with the aim of enhancing the student experience, improving the ambiance for dining, increasing the days and hours of dining services, and adding dining choices to meet the various lifestyles of our community,” Dean of Students Kevin Finn said.

The centerpiece of the new food services program is ARAMARK’s RFoC, which offers “all you care to eat” meal options that include five staffed food stations: comfort food, deli, exhibition, grill, pizza and pasta, produce market (soups and salads) and bakery.

The principle behind RFoC is providing healthier food at affordable prices, and many students will find that they will spend less money than they did last year for better food, according to Finn.

Access to RFoC is restricted to people who have paid for a meal. Temporary seating has been added in the atrium for other diners.  The atrium will be renovated later this academic year to provide more spaces to relax, relate, and connect.

ARAMARK has replaced Larry Joe’s coffee and snack bar in the atrium with Einstein Bros. Bagels, which offers more food and drink options as well as longer hours.

Students also have an additional choice for food and drink at the UTLC’s POD Express, which is like a mini-convenience store or kiosk. The POD Express will offer grab-and-go sandwiches and salads, as well as brewed Starbucks coffee.

ARAMARK recently partnered with Papa John’s Pizza nationwide as its provider for pizza on campus. Orders can be placed at (313) 863-7272 and students can use their Devil Dollars to make this purchase.

Pricing and meal plans
The single-meal prices for RFoC are $5.50 for breakfast, $6.75 for lunch, and $8 for dinner. Lower prices are available with meal plans, and under the most comprehensive plan, the average cost of a meal drops to $3.93.  Several options are available for students, faculty, and staff. Contact Monica McEachern with ARAMARK at ext. 3203 for more information on a meal plan that fits your budget and schedule.

Once a plan has been purchased, the employee or student I.D. will be swiped when entering the RFoC to record payment. 

Each meal plan includes Blue Devil Dollars, which work like a debit card and can be used at all Lawrence Tech dining locations: the RFoC, Einstein Bros. Bagels, P.O.D. Express, or for Papa John’s Pizza Delivery.

Carry out containers are available for a one-time purchase fee of $5. This allows diners to take meals back to their rooms or offices. When diners return the containers, they are given a clean container for the next meal.

Hours of operation
Café Lawrence RFoC:
Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Friday 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.,
Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m. to1 p.m. and 5-7 p.m.

Einstein Bros. Bagels:
Monday-Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Friday 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

POD Express:
Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Due to its expanded hours of operation, the RFoC will not close down for or accommodate special events. Therefore, special events will be held at other campus locations.  Groups can take advantage of the various seating options in the cafeteria. 

Additionally, ARAMARK is available to cater meetings or special events. Contact Thomas  at ext. 3203 for more information.

ARAMARK is a leader in professional services, providing award-winning food services, facilities management, and uniform and career apparel to health care institutions, universities and school districts, stadiums and arenas, and businesses around the world.  Headquartered in Philadelphia, it has approximately 260,000 employees serving clients in 22 countries.

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