By Bob Romantic
GCU News Bureau
Grand Canyon University will be the new home for Chick-fil-A and Subway restaurants as well as one of the largest Starbucks outlets in the country when those retail dining options come to the Phoenix campus for the 2013-14 school year.
“I am super excited about Chick-fil-A coming here,” said Audriana Bell, a freshman from Casa Grande, as she sat with classmate Javier Gonzalez on Wednesday afternoon in Thunder Alley. “And I could eat Subway every day. I totally could.
“As long as the meal swipes still work, I’m good.”
Chick-fil-A and Subway will be located in Thunder Alley, while Starbucks will encompass half of the second floor of the four-story expansion at the Student Union. The only other retail outlet on campus is Zoyo Yogurt, which came on board in August. Meal plans will be valid at all of the retail restaurants.
“This just furthers the dining options for students,” said Bob Machen, senior vice president for campus development. “The more positive experience we can give them, the better.”
Subway and Chick-fil-A will replace Jazzman’s and Cobrizo’s in Thunder Alley. Subway will operate in the space where Jazzman’s coffee shop currently resides. Chick-fil-A takes the spot on the north end of Thunder Alley where Mein Bowl operates, with Mein Bowl sliding over into the space where Cobrizo’s exists.
The main floor of Thunder Alley will be closed for construction during the summer (the bottom floor remains open). Food services during the summer will operate out of the Student Union dining hall.
Thunder Alley renovation is expected to be completed before students return for the fall semester, although hours of operation for the individual restaurants have not yet been determined.
The new Starbucks will create a coffee shop/bookstore feel for the four-story, 58,000-square-foot addition to the Student Union, which will feature a glass, arena-like façade overlooking the campus.
The first floor will be an extension of the current Student Union dining area. Starbucks, which will encompass 6,200 square feet, will reside on the second floor along with a large seating area and balcony. Fleming Library will move to the third and fourth floors of the Union.
“Starbucks will be a place where kids can go and hang out,” Machen said. “They may not even get coffee. A lot of people just like the experience of sitting there in a Starbucks. And they will have some great views.”
Contact Bob Romantic at 639.7611 or [email protected].
