College Power Players: Texas Tech

33. Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX

Dining Head: Kirk Rodriguez, managing director of hospitality services
Total Enrollment: 34,000
Students Living on Campus: 8,200
No. of Meal Plans Sold: 13,165
Annual Dining Program Revenues: $38 million
Cost Range of Residential Meal Plans: $2,945-$3,895/year
No. of Food Courts: 2
No. of Retail Outlets: 35
Management: self-operated
Website: www.hospitality.ttu.edu
Phone: (806) 742-1360

Increased enrollment has provided Texas Tech Dining with the opportunity to bring new locations to campus and renovate existing venues.  This past summer, it introduced a 3,974-sq.ft. Raider Exchange retail location that features display cooking choices and grab-n-go items geared toward the upperclass/graduate students living in a new nearby residence facility. It also has Tech’s first Freestyle Coke fountain.

Also new this fall is the StrEat food truck, a mobile extension of an established retail location in the Student Union but with a different menu. To keep its menu fresh and flexible, there will be a blend of new items added monthly.  

The Market at Stangel/Murdough, serving a large nearby freshman resident population, was renovated over the summer to create a food court atmosphere where entrées are prepared before customers. Encompassing a complete renovation of the kitchen, serving lines, menus and the seating area, the goal was to fashion a space that would better serve the growing population of the campus.

The Market hosts numerous options to satisfy the appetites of all students, including sub sandwiches, wraps, authentic Mexican foods, grilled items, Mongolian/wok foods, a full carvery, a rotating line with a unique menu each month, a build your own salad line, wings and a café that serves specialty coffees, smoothies and yogurt.  
It is also home to Fazoli’s premium Italian quick service restaurant and Day Break coffee roasters. All of these options are open for dine in and carry out and certain Market venues are open for late-night hours.

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