Contact: Robbie Ward
STARKVILLE, Miss.--Beginning May 28, Mississippi State's historic George Perry Cafeteria will serve an "all you care to eat" format--a single price for an unlimited amount of food at each meal.
Perry's change from a la carte pricing includes anyone dining at the university's primary dining service facility located in the heart of campus.
In January, the 129-year-old land-grant institution chose to end its traditional in-house food service operation and contract responsibilities to the Philadelphia, Pa.-based Aramark Corp. The new single-price format covers all food served, regardless of the amount.
Bill Broyles, assistant vice president of student affairs, said Tuesday [May 15] the university and Aramark had planned earlier to change the pricing format late in the summer. Logistics necessary to deal with numerous seasonal activities made the earlier change more appropriate, he added.
"It helps us with our summer-camp meal plans," Broyles said. "It's easier for us to operate if we've got one price."
Cafeteria prices after the changeover will be $4.50 for breakfast, $6.50 for lunch and $7.50 for dinner. Prices will increase slightly when the fall semester begins.
Along with a change in the way patrons pay for food at the campus eatery, the cafeteria will increase its variety and healthy food options, Broyles said.
While the change from established methods of food and beverage purchasing may cause some to alter their routines, improvements to overall dining operations "will provide better quality and service throughout campus," Broyles observed.
"Someone wanting just a cup of coffee may choose to go to the State Fountain Bakery instead," Broyles said of the popular coffee and pastry shop located below the cafeteria's north end.
When the fall semester begins in August, students, university employees and campus visitors also will have a variety of other dining options.
With completed renovation of the Colvard Student Union, the Gaddis Hunt Commons food court will be available adjacent to the cafeteria. The commons will feature a Chick-fil-A outlet, Sbarro Italian restaurant, Miso Noodle and Sushi Bar, Zoca Mexican Grille, and a full-service Starbucks, as well as Aramark's C-Store, an express convenience store.
In the fall of 2008, the 86-year-old Perry Cafeteria will undergo renovations to improve its ability to meet the dining needs of a 21st century campus community.
Broyles said Aramark representatives continue to work on campus to ensure a smooth transition of the dining services to the private manager.
Aramark, which provides food and support services to more than 400 colleges and universities nationwide, has consistently been ranked since 1998 among the top three on Fortune magazine's list of "America's Most Admired Companies." It also was ranked first in its industry in the 2007 Fortune 500 survey. The company officially begins operating the university's dining facilities July 1.
Other scheduled MSU dining changes include:
--A full-service Burger King restaurant at the Roberts Building near Sessums and McKee residence halls on the eastern side of campus;
--A refurbished State Fountain Bakery (coffees, fresh-baked-daily items, Freshens brand smoothies); Food for Thought Featuring Einstein Brothers Bagels in Mitchell Memorial Library (specialty bagels and sandwiches); and an Einstein Express at Roy H. Ruby Residence Hall. In addition, a convenience store will open at Hurst Residence Hall in the Northeast Village complex.
--A new south-campus delicatessen and convenience store at Hathorn Residence Hall, also serving adjacent Rice and Cresswell residence halls.
--Renovation of Pegasus Dining Room at the Wise Center, home of the College of Veterinary Medicine.
For more information, contact Broyles at 662 325-7532 or bill.broyles@msstate.edu.
For more information about Mississippi State University, see http://www.msstate.edu/.