A lot of confusion has been generated by the recent reopening of Chick-fil-A, especially since it coincided with the closing of Au Bon Pain, another dining venue that is often available in the Student Center.
According to Gina Groome, marketing manager for tiger dining, the decision to open Chick-fil-A early was based on problems the University was having getting the facilities they'd need to have breakfast at Chick-fil-A.
There was no way they were going to be able to have breakfast at Chick-fil-A as soon as they'd thought, so it was decided that Chick-fil-A should be made available to students over the summer.
"It wasn't going to be done in time to open in the fall," Groome said. "So then we got back together and said, 'OK, well let's go ahead and open up Chick-fil-A now that we know we're going to have to wait until a later date to do breakfast.' So that was when we all got together and decided we were going to go ahead and open up Chick-fil-A."
David Robinson, contact administrator for dining services, said though the University was unable to bring breakfast into Chick-fil-A as soon as they had planned, it was still going forward with plans for expansion.
"Because we were unable to get the drawings ready. We're looking at hopefully doing the expansions over Christmas break," Robinson said.
Robinson also said in order to reduce product waste and labor requirements after the reopening of Chick-fil-A, it was necessary to close ABP. Because Chick-fil-A is so popular with students, Robinson said replacing APB was better for both students and the University.
Many students, however, were confused and frustrated by the sudden change, including Brentley Choate, sophomore in pre-architecture.
"It was kind of frustrating to me that it was closed the whole summer," Choate said. "Then I kind of got over it and went to ABP, but then they closed ABP down and re-opened Chick-fil-A. That was what was frustrating to me."
Laura Kneiss, senior in marketing, also said though she was glad Chick-fil-A is now open, she is disappointed that one of the healthier food options in the Student Center isn't available any more.
"I missed it because I was here the first of the summer," Kneiss said. "But now if it means that APB is closed, it's kind of a double-edged sword. I only like Chick-fil-A for the grilled chicken sandwich because it's healthy, but everything else is fried. ABP has a more healthy selection. There's not a lot of healthy options here in the dining area."
Groome said ABP is considered a healthier option, and this fact has been taken into account in the University's decision to replace it with Chick-fil-A. Popular support of Chick-fil-A influenced the choice close ABP ultimately.
"There are healthier choices at Chick-fil-A other than French fries and a sandwich and things like that," Groome said. "We've also talked to students who said they were getting tired of ABP, and they kept asking us when is Chick-fil-A going to open. So there are both sides of the coin represented there."
Kneiss said she is still unsatisfied with the quality of food provided on campus, and she wishes there were more healthy options for her to choose from nearby.
"Even if everything was open, I'm still not satisfied with the healthy choices that we have," Kneiss said. "Nathan's, Papa John's, Chick-fil-A -- a lot of it is fried and unhealthy. Even Home Cooking downstairs has a lot of unhealthy options that I don't really care for. I don't want to have to be force to eat it just because there's nothing else on campus."
According to David Robinson, however, ABP will be available to students during Camp War Eagle sessions for those seeking healthier alternatives.
Though ABP is only open at certain times, this healthy option will be available intermittently over the summer.
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