University News

"Eat Mor Chikin" …. Chick-fil-A Coming to WIU-Macomb Campus Fall 2018

June 7, 2018

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MACOMB, IL -- A continued investment in Western Illinois University from Sodexo is bringing a popular restaurant to the Macomb campus in mid-Fall 2018.

Chick-fil-A, "the home of the original chicken sandwich," will open on the WIU-Macomb campus during the fall semester, with the grand opening of the "express" version of the restaurant set for mid-Fall 2018, according to John Biernbaum, associate vice president for student services-University Housing and Dining Services (UHDS). The newest line up in the University Union Food Court will replace Sbarro, which closed at the end of the spring semester. The renovation of the former Sbarro site is funded by a donation from Sodexo, which, along with UHDS, will oversee Chick-fil-A Express on the WIU campus.

"We are excited to continue to invest in Western, and to provide another food choice that our students and members of our campus and local communities have asked for," said Kay Martin, Sodexo senior vice president-universities. "Chick-fil-A is one of the largest quick-service restaurant chains in the country. It is a financially sound company that will add even greater value to the University Union and our food service offerings."

Along with Chick-fil-A, the Union Food Court also features Burger King, Einstein Bros. Bagels and the One Stop Rocky Shop. Biernbaum explained the University's five-year contract with Sbarro is set to end this summer, and that got the ball rolling for UHDS and Sodexo to begin looking at other franchise opportunities. Per the current agreement with Sbarro, WIU could not house another pizza-related franchise in the Union for one year. This led to an in-depth look at what students were eating in the residence hall dining center, what they were asking for in terms of other food choices on campus, peer institutions within the state, as well as the space available to house a new franchisee.

"We looked at all of that, and we also reviewed what is currently available in our community. It is important for us to be good community partners, and to not compete with local and franchised businesses within the city of Macomb," Biernbaum added. "After much consideration, including looking at the successes of the Chick-fil-A Express venues at other public institutions in the state, we determined that this was a fiscally responsible decision for Western, and that our students and local community would be happy to see this choice added to our line-up."

The hours will be determined once the renovations are complete.



Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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