Beyond Bland: Upgrading the cafeteria experience
Eating in the cafeteria – the idea of it can bring several things to mind. Maybe it makes you think back to those square pizzas on Fridays (if you’re, ahem, of a certain age). It could also bring to mind experiences with inconsistent food quality or a menu that was repetitive and off-putting – or both. The good news is that customer perception can be changed if we harness the potential to renew and reset its reputation.
Limited selection, the absence of variety, or a lackluster dining environment can be off-putting. Cafeteria-style dining has come a long way over the last few decades, and there is still more potential to renew and reset its reputation:
Elevating the Experience – In dining services, you never just serve food; you’re also creating an experience. Elements like attractive furniture in an inviting layout can make a difference. Comfortable seating (e.g., two-top tables are located away from group seating, there are no tables near the kitchen doors, etc.) in good condition can help diners relax and enjoy their experience. The psychology of environmental spaces is essential to understanding how to improve Dining Services. We are beginning to discover more about adapting to the customer while maintaining high-performance operations and lowering costs.
A Nation of Nibblers – More people are moving away from “three squares a day” toward a “graze all day” eating pattern. Updating your menu to accommodate diners who are looking for smaller meals eaten more often can attract a growing population that is still largely underserved using the conventional “breakfast, lunch, and dinner” menu.
Wok & Roll – Are your menu offerings looking a bit tired? Fusion cuisine can help with that. It can be as broadly themed as “East Meets West” with sloppy joe bao buns, as familiar as a Mexican pizza, or as unusual as a sushirrito (that would be sushi wrapped burrito-style in sheets of nori). Distinctive, innovative combinations can have a big payoff, but the opposite can also be true. Having authentic and well-sourced recipes from reliable sources can connect with your students. In our experience, completing an assessment of student preference before the beginning of the semester is always a good idea.
Whether your dining service could use a professional review or if you are interested in learning how similar operations are performing, we’re here to support the renewal of your customers’ dining experience. Just click the button below to reach out to us.
