Students are patiently waiting for the opening of Popeye’s and Burger King within the Smith Brown Memorial Union. The Southern University’s food service committee met last semester to discuss the opening of the two vendors. According to a statement made by Paul Butler, former director of food services, the proposed date for the vendors were to be fully operational by January 13.
“Burger King and Popeye’s will open this month,” said Deloris W. Brown, a representative of Aramark. “The delay is due to some unforeseen infrastructure challenges the contractors are working to resolve,” continued Brown.
The infrastructure challenges may involve Hurricane Gustav damages or the amount of space available to construct.
The opening of the two vendors also will give students an opportunity to work on campus. Students who are interested can apply in the campus dining office located at the E.N. Mayberry Hall Annex.
“I need a job and it would be great for me to work on campus because I could save gas, said Roslyn Roberts, a freshman biology major from Lafayette.
The opening of the vendors may seem exciting to many but some students have an unwelcoming spirit towards the opening of Burger King and Popeye’s.
“The food they produce isn’t good for the body. We need healthier options instead of thinking about the dollar”, said Luke McKnight, sophomore English major from Baton Rouge. “I wouldn’t recommend anyone to eat this food because it’s genetically engineered. I’m not trying to start a protest, but we need to be aware of what we consume.”
Other venues in the working stages are Java City and Quiznos. The proposed opening date is still on schedule to open in Fall 2010. Java City is a coffee shop with a similar resemblance of Barnes and Nobel and will be located on the first floor of John B. Cade Library and Quiznos will be located in architecture building.
“We are working with the university doing continued renovations to the food court over the summer and these projects will be completed as scheduled.” concluded Brown.