Dining Services’ contract renewal could land Taco Bell on campus

Michael Pasco
Contributing Writer

VCU could be the next college to receive an on-campus Taco Bell. In fact, there’s a possibility for many of VCU’s dining locations to change next year.

The current contract with Aramark Educational Services, the company that provides for VCU’s dining locations, expires this summer. All vending, catering and dining locations on the Monroe Park campus will be renegotiated by the contract’s expiration on June 30, 2013.

According to a VCU official at a Student Admissions Ambassadors’ meeting last Monday, Taco Bell’s corporate office did say VCU could have the restaurant on campus — but the university will not be able to promise students a Taco Bell until February at the earliest, according to Business Services assistant director Dan McDonald.

“Just because VCU Dining Services has approval from the corporate offices of brands like Taco Bell doesn’t mean that they will definitely be part of the dining program next year,” said Tamara Highsmith, manager of sales and customer service for VCU Dining Services.

“I would love having a Taco Bell on campus because it’s my go-to place for a late night meal,” said Student Ambassador Joanna Santorum.

Students attending the meeting turned to Twitter and Facebook to talk about this development. In a couple hours, the rumor quickly became “We are definitely getting a Taco Bell.”

“Taco Bell is perfect for college students. It doesn’t cost much and tastes great,” VCU student Anthony Jones said.

Aramark has provided dining services for VCU under several contracts since the 1980s, and renegotiates contracts every decade. The company has brought many national brands to campus and provides supplies for Shafer, Cary Street Market and Deli, Commons Convenience, Jonah’s and Nao and Zen.

When deciding upon new restaurant locations on campus, national brands — such as IHOP, Pizza Hut and Chik-fil-A — can work with Aramark to get a location at VCU, or the university may make a request to the brand through Aramark as well. Those companies that do respond present ideas to the university as how to best implement their establishment on campus, Highsmith said.

A group of students, staff and faculty members will be deciding on potential new dining locations with VCU’s interests in mind. A separate committee of students and staff members will still need to approve these ideas, said Kristan Cole, Public Relations Manager for VCU Dining Services.

Some students at the meeting expressed dissatisfaction with Zoca, which was VCU’s answer to students’ requests for Taco Bell.

If it does replace the Zoca in the Commons, Taco Bell would be subject to the same closing hoursas the rest of the facility. The Commons closes at 9 p.m.