Chartwells has implemented new operational changes, and food lines to lunch service in order to, “offer more of a variety,” Nick Norris, director of dining said, going forward this year.
Donnie Darling, assistant director of dining services, said the switch from Armark to Chartwells calls for a new way the Bean can run in order to meet new requirements which include changing the food served in the lines daily during the lunch service, which means that omelettes will no longer be a daily occurrence.
“Now that we are a part of Chartwells, which is a Compass Group, we have made a lot necessary changes to better the Dining Account and over all dining experience for ACU,” Darling said. “With the new company comes a lot of overall changes to standards and compliance within new requirements.”
Student response to the new way the Bean operates has been mixed. Amanda Roden, sophomore Kinesiology major from Fort Worth, Tx is not in favor of the new changes, and said they are “disappointing.”
“It seems like everytime I go to the bean and pick up a dish, a cup or a bowl, it’s either soaking wet or still has food on it,” Roden said. “I would like to see more food out at meals times, because after Chapel, some people might be in a long line, like I do, and a lot of the times, by the time I get there, the food is empty, and I have to wait another 20 minutes to get another batch of food out.”
Roden has a 10-day meal plan which costs $2,060 for the year, and said for the amount of money, she “would like to know a little more about what they do with our money.” She said she is most outraged that the Bean will no longer serve omelettes
“A lot of people rely on omlettes for nutritional value,” Roden said. “A majority of students look forward to the omelettes. It’s just disappointing and quite frankly leaves may students hungry and unhappy.”
In response to negativity, Darling said negative responses to change is to be expected, but the mission of the transformation is to give everyone who visits the Bean a positive experience.
“The adjustment is one that will take time to understand and become comfortable, as with any type of change,” Darling said. “With any change you will be met some challenges, however, the new company has its own expectations that will create a better culture.”
However, according to a poll on Twitter which asked “Do you like the changes made to te bean under Chartwells, 118 students voted with 69% votes for “yes” and 31% votes for “no.” Grace Meroff, senior art education major Austin, Tx is one of those “yes” votes and said she does like the new food and atmosphere in the bean.
“Every stationed seemed improved so that’s nice,” Meroff said. “I had greek food, it was really good and I was really impressed, I had like five plates of food.”
Looking towards the future Darling said the ultimate goal of the Bean is to cultivate a more positive atmosphere for all who visit the bean.
“The overall goal is to create a welcoming, of the highest quality, dining experience for all of ACU,” Darling said. “A place that guests will want to come and spread the word about how great their visits to the Bean have become and continue to be.”
