Food trucks are also welcome additions. “These offer our campus community exciting menu solutions, when and where they want, anytime they want,” Henry says.
Above: HUB2GO delivers to special events.
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“We’ve also just introduced Subway Caters, because the market for HUB2GO has been so strong,” says Henry. HUB2GO registers about $90,000 a year. Subway Caters is expected to bring in about $10,000 this year.
Left: Culinary Chameleon’s bright graphics attract attention wherever it appears on campus. Below: The Bear Tracks food truck offers Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, a variety of beverages, and packaged foods.
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Culinary Chameleon, which is found on campus Monday through Friday or during a special event, is 32 feet long, and 11 feet tall. “This is really a kitchen on wheels,” says Henry. Equipment includes a four-basket double fryer, four-foot griddle, three-compartment sink, hand sink, threedoor full-sized refrigerator, single-door full-sized freezer, two-burner range, full-sized warming cabinet, pastry case, iced display case, refrigerated prep table, and a three-well steam table. The truck cost $250,000, about a quarter of the cost to build a typical restaurant kitchen. The truck runs off a generator and much of the equipment uses propane gas so the truck can be of assistance during emergencies, as well as regular service. “The Culinary Chameleon changes its colors by featuring new menu items on an ongoing basis,” says Henry. The menu includes burritos, breakfast burritos, salad bowls, quesadillas, tacos, sides, desserts, and beverages. “The truck will record $1 million in sales this year, setting a new record,” he says. An online map shows the locations, so customers can find them during specified hours. A clever, compelling dining website allows customers to vote for the next Culinary Chameleon featured menu item. Currently, the choices are nachos, hard tacos, enchiladas, and sopes. After pressing a button to indicate one’s choice, viewers can see how others have voted. Another food truck, Bear Tracks, features Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf®, hand-crafted beverages, ice-blended beverages, pre-packaged sandwiches, salads, made-to-order parfaits, and specialty oatmeal such as Bananas Foster and berry crunch. Operating hours are 7a.m. until 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday. A third truck featuring soft-serve ice cream, the Moo Truck, will begin operating soon. A fourth truck is scheduled to arrive in August to focus on athletic concessions. u