Beta, Beets, and Beverage Stations: Your off-season optimized
Now that summer is well underway, it’s normal to see some reduction in foot traffic. But a loss of volume doesn’t have to mean lost productivity. July is great for downtime innovations. If you’ve been waiting for the right time to introduce new technology, new ways to eat local, or to refine aspects of your operation in a low-risk environment, there’s no time like the present.
Beta and the Beast – Have you heard the one about the dining operation that launched new tech without a hitch? Neither have we. But summer’s low foot traffic is ideal for testing new systems without disrupting peak service. IT and facilities teams are usually less tied up, so software and hardware installs go more smoothly. Plus, a smaller customer base often means more forgiving early adopters. (1) After all, nothing builds character like troubleshooting a kiosk in flip-flops.
From Cubicles to Cucumbers – Summer’s bounty is undeniable, and tapping into that resource can mean increasing the amount of local foods made available to your customers. Dining operations are leaning into the season by offering community-supported agriculture (CSA) boxes for customers to take home. GE Analytical Instruments in Boulder, CO teamed up with Grant Family Farms to deliver CSA boxes directly to employees. The farm handles logistics, so that GE has minimal administrative involvement. (2) That goes to show that productivity really does grow from the ground up.
While You Were Out - Renovations, redesigns, and deferred maintenance are best done when the crowds are away. With students off campus and employees on PTO or hybrid schedules, short shutdowns have minimal impact. Last summer, Virginia Tech tackled three dining spaces and restroom upgrades. (3) The House of Representatives is next, with three dining locations getting a facelift this summer. (4) Because fewer feet often mean faster fixes.
Interested in reinventing your steam tables without losing your cool? Just click the button below to find out why we specialize in summer success – minus the sunburn.
1. Bouhnick, G. (2022, December 8). The good, the bad, and the ugly side of your early adopters [2022 updated]. The Mobile Spoon.
2. Workplace CSAs: A summary of models. Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project. (2013, October).
3. Garner, E. (2024, May 30). Dining Services Plans Summer Renovations to Elevate the Student Experience. Virginia Tech News.
4. Papp, J. (2025, May 2). Starbucks to Replace Dunkin’ in House Dining Shake-up. Roll Call.
