Au Bon Pain, Moe’s Tex Mex join renovated university food court

Just in time for the fall semester, which begins Thursday, Sept. 3, Oakland University has reopened the food court and other eateries in its student center following a $3.5 million update.

After three months, new food concepts such as Au Bon Pain, Moe’s Tex Mex, Panda Express and a salad concept called Create have joined a roster that already included Subway and the state’s first Chick-Fil-A location.

“It turned out exactly the way it was designed,” Oakland Center director Richard Fekel said. “I’ve never seen renderings so accurate.”

“There’s been a lot of buzz about the new concepts we have.”

The size of the storefront at Chick-Fil-A, which has become a regional attraction, has been increased. Its menu also will feature more options, including breakfast items.

“That will add a new segment of the student population we didn’t have before,” Fekel said.

Subway, the food court’s most in-demand dining option, Fekel said, has added a second adjacent location.

Check-out stations have been included at each restaurant in an effort to expedite service times. The food court previously had six registers at its exit.

“At the very least, customers won’t feel like they have to get into a new line after leaving another,” Fekel said.

The Oakland Center, the student center on the Rochester-area campus of more than 20,000 students, will also soon be getting new tables and chairs, as well, Fekel noted.

Chartwells resident district manager Mark McCormic said student input helped steer the project.

“We have strong relationships with all these concepts and we think we have a good idea what our customers want,” he said, noting Au Bon Pain will feature nutritious grab-and-go items such as pastries and baked goods.

Located near the west entrance to the Oakland Center, Au Bon Pain has replaced Cafe O’Bears. Papa John’s Pizza has also been replaced in the food court.