Trill Burgers pop-up at the University of Houston successfully brings more guests to the dining center

The Trill Burgers pop-up at the University of Houston (UH) was effective in generating excitement around campus dining and ultimately bringing more diners in. 

UH dining services, which is managed by Chartwells Higher Education, brought Trill Burgers and Trill Tenders, a concept created by Houston Rapper Bun B, to campus this Oct. The products made their appearance in a pop-up at Cougar Woods Common, a dining center on campus, on Tuesday Oct. 15. 

“We thought it would be a great change in routine for the students and a way to deliver increased value to their meal plans,” said Chartwells Vice President of Operations Charles Pereira, in a statement. “The Trill Burger is a fresh and unique offering, unlike any burger we have served before.”

And the pop-up was effective in bringing students to campus dining, as the team saw a 61% increase in guests to the dining center compared to the previous week. In addition, during the pop-up, which ran from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., the team served 650 Trill Burger combos. During the event, the team also served “dirty” fountain drinks, where guests were encouraged to mix different syrups and creams to create individualized drinks. A DJ also played music featuring Bun B and his collaborating artists. 

Trill Burgers was launched in 2021 during the pandemic as a pop-up restaurant that served local culinary festivals. The concept gained popularity, when in 2022, it won Good Morning America’s United States of Burgers competition. Trill Burgers then started to make appearances at big music festivals like Coachella, Rolling Loud and Rock the Bells. 

“Trill Burgers has strong connections to the community just like so many of our students who call Houston home,” said Alexcis Mendoza, district marketing director, in a statement. “This pop-up also allows students to enjoy a nationally acclaimed burger without needing to leave campus. We’re bringing the food and the fun to them.”

The event was such a success that UH Dining is planning on teaming up with Trill Burgers again in November.