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Planning a successful student union

By Porter, H David
Publication: Food Management
Date: Monday, July 1 2002
HEADNOTE

If you are planning to open a new student union foodservice, here are five key factors to consider.

Today's college students are savvy, sophisticated customers who bring high expectations to school with

them. As a result, many college FSDs have taken steps to provide them with a wider variety of services and concepts, such as marketplace-style serveries, convenience options and upscale facilities.

That trend is also having an impact on the design and programming at student unions. Our firm has worked extensively with clients nationwide to plan, design and create programming for many such projects and we have identified some common challenges facing FSDs and their staffs as they bring these facilities on line. Here are five critical factors to keep in mind:

Make sure you are on the student union planning team. First, get "plugged" into the campus loop. Be aware of projects your college or university has on the drawing board and what, if any, foodservice elements will be part of them. Make sure campus decision makers know who you are and why you need to be included in any planning meetings. Touch base with these decision makers regularly so that you don't miss your opportunity to be part of the planning team.

In addition, make sure to read these articles: