Michelle Norton
Staff Writer
The University of Houston System Board of Regents Executive Committee approved a bid Monday for a new consolidated food service for three of its four universities.
Chartwells, a national food service vendor specializing in education submitted a bid totaling an estimated $4.2 million. They were selected based on creative food concepts, financial investments and creative renovation plans, as well as comprehensive vending and catering.
Division Administrator Diane Murphy attributed the success of Chartwells' bid to its extensive research and focus groups last semester, saying, "Their proposal was good because they listened to the students, faculty and staff."
The bid included all campuses except UH-Victoria due to the extensive cost of including a university so far from the other three.
According to Executive Director of Auxiliary Services Ann Lamar, the proposal included renovation within the bid and produce alterations at the University Center and University Center Satellite.
"In order to improve traffic flow in the food service areas, Chartwells will rearrange the cash registers and food lines to accommodate students," she said.
Within the Horizons Cafeteria and the Oberholtzer Residence Hall, changes will include expansion to the number of carts and service sites.
Chartwells will sell both its own in-house food as well as brand name foods. In-house food, exclusive to Chartwells, will consist of sandwiches, pizza, pasta and coffee while brand food will include restaurants such as Burger King and Wendy's.
Lobbying for the position of food service with Chartwells last April, Aramark Educational Services, which has been the food-service provider at UH-Main Campus for 30 years and Sodexho-Marriott Educational Services.
Aramark's bid included the presence of historically underutilized businesses and plans for renovation and investment. SES's bid also included comprehensive renovations as well.
Less comprehensive bids were also proposed by Hospitality Food Services for concessions at athletic facilities and Culinaire International for management positions at Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management.
These positions, however, were covered in the bid by Chartwells. Chartwells will cater to the luxury boxes in Robertson Stadium as well as Hofheinz Pavilion.
Voicing the same concerns as many of her fellow students, Monica Quintero, president of the Students' Association said, "I hope that the new company will offer competitive prices because Aramark was expensive."
Chartwells proposed an average decrease of 10 percent to all food items in all campus facilities to adjust to the specific needs of the students.
For commuters, at least one restaurant will remain open during non-peak hours, and carts located on campus will supply students with sandwiches and coffee.
In response to the system wide expansion of food services, a system administrator will be elected under Vice Chancellor/ Vice President Administration & Finance Randy Harris.
UH administrators will discuss the transition process in their scheduled meeting with Chartwells later this week. The meeting will determine times and dates that major renovation projects will occur. The Chartwells contract will be finalized June 18 by the UHS Regents.