University Adding Dining Options, Launching Meal Exchange Program

Panda Express, Larger Chick-fil-A, IHOP Express, Ben and Jerry's, Moes, 2Mato Scheduled to Open Fall 2015

The renovated Student Union Dining Hall, which is opening this fall, will feature a Panda Express, Moe's Southwest Grill, a larger Chick-fil-A and 2Mato, a pizza and pasta concept.

Dining options are growing again at The University of Texas at Dallas. The fall semester will usher in four fast-food choices in the renovated Student Union Dining Hall, a second restaurant at Parking Structure 3 and an ice cream shop in the Comet Café.

Renovations are in progress to convert the Student Union Dining Hall into an open, food-court-style venue. The renovated dining hall will feature a Panda Express, Moe's Southwest Grill, a larger Chick-fil-A and 2Mato, a pizza and pasta concept.

Each new retail venue will have its own cash register and checkout counter, which will increase efficiency. A Ben and Jerry’s ice cream shop will take the place of the current Chick-fil-A location in the Comet Café. The Student Union Dining Hall will remain closed throughout the summer. The Comet Café and Outtakes Grab n' Go will be open for their summer hours.

“We are excited to bring these new dining options to our University, and believe they will help us expand our menu offerings and services to better meet the needs of our campus community. It is Auxiliary Services’ ultimate goal to enhance the student experience as seamlessly as possible.” Bob Fishbein,

assistant vice president

of Auxiliary Services

“These renovations are part of our overall strategy to enhance the services available to our faculty, staff and students,” said Dr. Calvin Jamison, vice president for the Office of Administration. “This is another important step in the transformation of our campus and creating the infrastructure and amenities needed to support our rapidly growing University.”

Construction of IHOP Express is also underway. The restaurant, in Parking Structure 3 next to Einstein Bros Bagels, will offer indoor and patio seating for up to 140 people, and a large menu with options for breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night dining.

All construction is expected to be completed in time for the start of the fall semester.

Also starting this fall, customers with the Comet and Green meal plans will be able to take advantage of a new Meal Exchange program that allows users to trade one dining hall meal swipe per day for a retail meal combo.

“We want those on meal plans to be able to take full advantage of all the new retail offerings on campus,” said Carrie Chutes, assistant director of food and retail services. “The Meal Exchange program helps us offer more variety, value and flexibility for our meal plan users.”

“We are excited to bring these new dining options to our University, and believe they will help us expand our menu offerings and services to better meet the needs of our campus community,” said Bob Fishbein, assistant vice president of Auxiliary Services. “It is Auxiliary Services’ ultimate goal to enhance the student experience as seamlessly as possible.”

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