The Dish on UW-Green Bay’s Dining Services

By Keyonna Gellin, Collin Bouressa, Lauren Knisbeck & Valeria Tavarez

The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay (UW-Green Bay) has a handful of dining options, five of which are overseen by Chartwells – the university’s caterer. One thing that students on campus may take note of is the changes to dining locations that happen every few years.

The current list of dining options offered by Chartwells is:

• Common Grounds Coffeehouse
• Melt Lab & Fry Shack
• Phoenix Street Subs
• Crave
• Social House At The Marketplace

According to Kylie Eben, Chartwells’ product marketing specialist for UW-Green Bay, the process involves many steps. “Changes to locations are proposed to the client (UW-Green Bay’s Union), based on constant feedback we receive in our Dine on Campus form, in person, or via email,” Eben says. Chartwells rebrands their locations to keep things fresh for the people on campus. That’s why locations may look different this year. The Melt Lab & Fry Shack was previously known as the Green Bay Grill. Social House At The Marketplace was formerly called The Marketplace.

The rebranding process starts with Chartwells making suggestions to their client (UW-Green Bay) based on feedback and considering requests. The cost of supplies and demand for products also impact their menu changes. Chartwells requests themes and brand ideas from other campuses and marketers. Once an idea is pitched, Chartwells conducts focus groups to offer tastings to see how the community reacts. Once an option is approved, a timeline is crafted, any necessary equipment is identified, and the transition process begins.

The menu guidelines come from corporate, with a team of culinary leaders, including campus chefs meeting to discuss menus and feedback. Eben explained that Social House at the Marketplace is considered an 80/20 menu, meaning that the executive chef can alter 20% of the menu based on feedback and local product availability. According to Eben, Social House At The Marketplace is the most popular dining option on campus.

The university offers multiple meal plans for students. 80% of the students here at UW-Green Bay are commuters.

UW-Green Bay offers the All Access, Phoenix 14,  Flex 25, 50, 75, and Bay Block plans to students on and off campus. The flex plan numbers refer to the number of meals students have access to per semester. For example, the Flex 25 plan offers students 25 meals per semester for $265. The Phoenix 14 plan gives students 14 meals per week at Social House and four transfer meals per week for $1,500 per semester. The Phoenix All Access plan gives students unlimited access to Social House and six transfer meals per week for $1,600, which is the most expensive option. Students living in traditional residence halls are limited to the All Access and Phoenix 14 plans. With the meal plans, students receive Phlash Cash amounts that range from $50 – $500. Unlike the meal plans, Phlash Cash never expires as long as you are enrolled at UW-Green Bay. On-campus students are required to select a meal plan or opt out during the Housing check-in process.

UW-Green Bay students shared t heir input on the dining plan. Most of their issues lay with the Social House At The Marketplace. UWGB student Chee Lee says, “I never go to the Marketplace… [it] makes me feel like I’m wasting so much money. ” Perceived value of the dining options may differ amongst the student body. Olivia Gibson states, “[the food on campus] is better than high school food.” Kendahl Kivisto explains her experience with on-campus dining. “I did try to use campus food options, but I found it very difficult with the dietary restrictions I have, such as gluten-free and low-carb foods due to my heart condition. I did eat at the cafeteria one time, and there was nothing sustainable for me to eat with my restrictions, which was very upsetting.” Students do have good things to say about the dining options. UW-Green Bay student Angelina Esparza says, “I get an iced chai almost every day, and I love the burrito bowls!”

The mobile app is the saving grace for students’ hectic schedules. Esparza explains, “[the mobile app] is so convenient when going from one class straight to another; I order right before my class ends, swing by to pick it up, then on the way to my next [class].”

When asked what he would change, Lee says, “The time when the [Social House At The] Market Place opens and when the menu changes. For example, on weekends, the Market Place opens at 10:00 AM, which is ridiculous.” Lee later explains why a 10:00 AM open troubles him, “The food tastes like it’s been sitting for like an hour just slowly overcooking from the heat.” Gibson states that though not a lot of students stay on campus over the weekend, there isn’t much offered for the students that are staying. “I would love to see higher quality food or better options, especially during the weekends,” Gibson states.

Esparza expresses a desire to see more variety in on-campus options. “Einstein’s bagel place or a ramen place, something a little fancier to help students change it up.” Coincidentally, Chartwells is bringing Einstein Bros. Bagels to campus in the fall of 2024. It will be in the Common Grounds Coffeehouse, and they will be switching over to Caribou Coffee and offering hot breakfast sandwiches. It seems that changing the dining options is a steady routine for UW-Green Bay’s dining service to help satisfy its students.