Students have mixed opinions about a new food option on campus.
Chick-fil-A opened March 7 outside The Market at Alvin’s in Tom and Brenda McDaniel University Center, but the grand opening celebration was at 10 a.m. Thursday.
Students originally were told the Chick-fil-A would open in August 2017, but construction was delayed into spring.
Food service officials are still working out some logistics and hiring staff members.
Some employees are students, and some are from the caf or The Market at Alvin’s, but most were hired specifically to work at the Chick-fil-A.
Gerre Douglas, Chick-fil-A cashier, was hired through ZipRecruiter, a third-party website.
“I don’t think we are fully staffed,” Douglas said. “As far as the back of the house, I think they’re still hiring.”
The Compass Group, which is in charge of OCU’s food service company Chartwells, posted Chick-fil-A positions on ZipRecruiter.
Jackie Bennett, acting junior, said she is happy about Chick-fil-A.
“It gives people that don’t have a meal plan an option for hot food other than going to the caf,” Bennett said. “But I don’t like how much more expensive it is.”
Bennett also expressed concerns about the increased litter Chick-fil-A will produce on campus. She said she doesn’t like the Styrofoam cups because they take a long time to decompose.
“Just looking outside at the courtyard, there are trash cans full of Chick-fil-A bags,” she said. “I think it’s sad that that’s already happening to the trash cans all around campus. I also think we will always find things to complain about. In general, I’m pretty happy about it.”
Students can use meal swipes at Chick-fil-A, but only to a certain dollar amount. Employees said Monday that the meal swipe can be used for a regular No. 1 Chick-fil-A chicken meal or the No. 3 eight-count Chick-fil-A nuggets meal, as well as any order up to $8. The difference can be paid off with points or cash. They also said free drink refills were also mistakenly offered over Spring Break but will not be offered anymore.
Troy Freeman, music theater freshman, said he is concerned about the lack of vegetarian options.
“I don’t eat meat,” Freeman said. “Even the salad has chicken on it.”
The Chick-fil-A hours are:
– 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Thursday,
– 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays and
– 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays.
It is closed on Sundays.
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