(Photo Credits to The University of Wisconsin Green Bay. The picture on the left shows Einstein Bros. Bagel’s new to-go order pick-up. Pictured on the right is the coffee house and Starbucks before renovations.)
Students at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay (UWGB) are paying a substantial cost for their dining plans. With recent changes to the campus coffee shop, many are questioning whether they’re getting their money’s worth or not. Replacing Starbucks with Einstein Bros. Bagel has sparked a mix of opinions across campus.
Some students love the variety, while others miss their Starbucks favorites. The updated coffee house now offers an expanded menu of bagels, breakfast sandwiches, and new coffee blends. While the physical space has undergone major renovation with new seating and fresh decoration, the biggest change is the switch from the familiar Starbucks brand to Einstein Bros. Bagel. Starbucks used to offer a wide variety of drinks that many students were familiar with. They also had a small variety of bagels, muffins, and other pastries.
Mia Laufer, a senior at UWGB, shared her perspective on the new changes. “I used to get Starbucks almost every day between classes,” she said. “While I like the bagels, I miss my favorite Starbucks drinks. It’s a little frustrating because I’m paying the same amount for the dining plan, but it feels like I have fewer options for drinks. I think the new food is great and was definitely needed but there are very limited options for drinks now.”
The change has raised questions about value for money. With students investing in meal plans, some feel that losing Starbucks limits their choices, especially for specialty drinks. Others argue that the broader food selection at Einstein Bros. Bagels offers better value and variety.
Students now have a variety of new food options from Einstein Bros. Bagels. It offers food such as Bagel with Schmear, Classic Egg sandwiches, Signature egg sandwiches, Classic lunch, Deli sandwiches, Hot and Toasty bagels, and a variety of sweets.
Bryssa Lenz, also a senior at UWGB and a former employee of the campus dining services, acknowledged that she misses Starbucks but emphasized the benefits of the new offerings. “I have previously worked for UWGB dining and loved it. I really loved being able to get my favorite Starbucks drinks before class or even on the weekends. Einstein Bros. Bagels doesn’t capture my taste as much. The coffee is okay, and there really isn’t much for options, but the bagels and the sandwiches are really good,” Lenz said.
As much as Lenz misses the Starbucks choices for drinks, she argues that the change offers additional variety and gives students a new variety of meal options on campus. As students adapt to the new change this semester, the University Union Dining and social media accounts are encouraging students to try the new options. At the end of the school year, students will receive an email to give feedback about the dining changes.
