In a $2.6 million renovation, the Hub did away with Einstein Bros. Bagels and expanded the Chick-fil-A for the restaurant’s breakfast.
Some of Chick-fil-A’s breakfast menu, including items like chicken biscuits, are now available from 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
The expansion project didn’t go over budget, Eddie Daniels, the assistant vice president of UF’s business services division, wrote in an email. Along with the Chick-fil-A expansion, the Starbucks, Provision on Demand (POD), restrooms and common spaces were all updated.
The money came from reinvesting the revenue from the dining programs, not from student fees, Daniels said.
“We think the new facility is great,” Daniels said. “Expanded seating and better queueing will help students during both breakfast and lunch.”
Students have been asking for Chick-fil-A breakfast for six to seven years, but it wasn’t possible until this expansion, Daniels said.
He said it’s too early to have sales data, but early reports show students are enjoying the new breakfast items.
Jill Rodriguez, the marketing program manager for Gator Dining Services, wrote in an email the expansion required them to take over the prep area in the back of the Hub to add extra equipment.
Brandon Rosenthal, a 21-year-old UF computer engineering senior, didn’t see the need for the change.
“I think because we already have another Chick-fil-A on campus, it seemed kind of unnecessary,” Rosenthal said. “Overall, I don’t see how it’s really benefiting the student population.”
@Christina_M18
cmorales@alligator.org
