May 19, 2008

Purdue Union Commons restaurant complex wins national award

Flatbreads
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Competing in the 35th Loyal E. Horton Dining Awards, Purdue took second place among large universities in the retail sales-multiple concepts/outlets category. Competitors were graded on the quality and variety of menus, presentation of prepared foods, marketing and advertising, and business considerations such as managing food costs and matching retail trends.

Completed in November 2007, the $7 million Purdue Union Commons transformed a 25-year-old cafeteria into an underground urban streetscape of international fast casual restaurants such as the Purdue-developed Lemongrass and Flatbreads that serve Asian and Mediterranean cuisine. La Salsa Fresh Mexican Grill and Villa Fresh Italian Kitchen concepts have been licensed in. Even faster dining options are available at the Urban Market, an upscale convenience store featuring organic foods, Zia Juice bar serving smoothies, and Loops cereal bar featuring dozens of childhood favorites updated with a wide selection of toppings.

Gary Goldberg, Purdue Memorial Union director of dining services, said students were polled to help create a complex designed to appeal to a new generation of customers.

"Today's students, who have been eating at themed restaurants for several years, expect a dining experience that will stimulate all of their senses while quickly providing them healthy, affordable options," Goldberg said. "We're pleased that our students and food service professionals across the nation concur that we have succeeded in meeting or surpassing those expectations."

Named for a NACUFS founder and past president, the Loyal E. Horton Award salutes the most successful ideas in menus, presentations, special event planning and new dining concepts.

Advertised throughout the community with billboard–sized graphics wrapped around a local CityBus, Union Commons has established itself as one of the most popular dining options for off-campus visitors to Purdue, especially among those who stay at the Union Club Hotel. This summer Purdue Memorial Union will modernize a nearby dining space that is used as a gathering space for Union Commons customers as well as diners from several other Union restaurants, including Starbucks, Oasis Café and Pappy's Sweet Shop.

"We're working to create dining options that appeal not only to students, but also to Purdue staff and guests," said John A. Sautter, vice president for Housing and Food Services. "In summer, our student clientele is largely replaced with youth camps and professional conferences. It is also an excellent time for our neighbors to try our new restaurants."

Writer: Jim Schenke, (765) 494-6262, jschenke@purdue.edu  

Sources:   Gary Goldberg, (765) 494-1000, gcgoldberg@purdue.edu

John Sautter, (765) 494-8931, jasautter@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

PHOTO CAPTION:

Flatbreads, a gourmet sandwich, soup and salad restaurant, is part of the new Union Commons at the Purdue Memorial Union that was named one of the nation's top two complexes of on-campus retail restaurants. (Purdue Memorial Union photo/David Haan)

A publication-quality photo is available at https://www.purdue.edu/uns/images/+2008/flatbreads-PMUcommons.jpg

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