Tenn. tech eyes sales, profits

Administrators at Tennessee Tech Univ. in Cookeville predict improved foodservice and consequently increased sales and profits this school year as a result of their new contract with Chartwells College and University Dining Services.

TTU turned over its foodservice operations to Chart- wells last month. Terry Rector, v.p. for business and fiscal affairs, projects that students will benefit from better dining facilities, while the yearly foodservice commission will exceed previous profits by approx. $300,000 to $400,000.

Time to change: Rector says that until July the univ. was the "only state public institution" still operating its own foodservices, but adds that bringing in a contractor was a necessary change.

"The contract provides substantial dollars for renovation of our facilities—roughly a $3.5 million investment over a five-year period," he adds.

Updated services: Chartwells' resident district manager John Rupert says the foodservice team will expand the retail foodcourt with a Wendy's outlet and an in-house sub shop; existing outlets include Sbarro, Taco Bell, a salad bar and a grill station.

Other changes on the horizon include the addition of a coffee cart in the library, the construction of a convenience store and a complete makeover of a residential dining facility that will include implementing more display cooking.