Students Create "Burger Studio" Dining Concept
As a prelude to the Dining Halls of Distinction winners being announced until next week, here's a concept with some bite: Burger Studio, the first brand created entirely by students for Aramark.
Using electronic touch-screen ordering kiosks, students can design their own made-to-order burger by selecting a "meat" (Angus, chicken, or veggie) and then add-on's—from a list of more than 30 toppings, cheeses, and special sauces.
Hundreds of students from campuses served by Aramark helped create the concept, design, name, use of technology, and even the staff uniforms (organic cotton t-shirts, painter's hats, and jeans). Then the company conducted online focus groups and sponsored chat rooms to capture student feedback about all elements of the brand, from conception to delivery. The Burger Studio name was selected from more than 1,200 entries submitted in an online contest. Finally, student taste testers reviewed all menu items under consideration to ensure that the type of burger, fries, and buns would have mass student appeal (even if most creations are likely to have massive calorie counts, too).
Each Burger Studio is constructed with "green" in mind -- with sustainably-sourced materials and energy-efficient equipment and lighting, including countertops made from bamboo and laminate made from coffee beans and recycled fibers. Biodegradable packaging is made from 100% recycled materials, and take-out bags are made with non-chlorinated pulp.
Students at the University of Delaware, the University of Hartford, Middle Tennessee State University, Missouri Western State University, and Springfield College (Mass.) are the first to open Burger Studios, this fall. Additional locations will open early next year.
What a great idea. Those students involved in the design of that had to really feel proud. What a wonderful thing!
Posted by: Gina Shea | October 07, 2009 at 01:09 AM