A budget decision made by University Dining Services has changed catering options in the Nebraska Union and Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center.
Beginning Aug. 21, the Lincoln-based Chez Hay Catering will now be the exclusive caterer for events in the Nebraska Union and Gaughan Center. The choice was made after a competitive bid process sparked by Dining Services' decision to stop providing catering to the two buildings.
"The decision to no longer provide catering services to the Nebraska Union and Gaughan Multicultural Center was made strictly based on budget and us not being able to break even," said Ron Burke, director of UNL Housing Dining Services. "There were no hard feelings involved. We have regrouped and continue to offer catering services out of the East Union to other venues across City and East campuses."
Charlie Francis, director of the Nebraska Unions, said UNL issued a request for proposals in the spring to find a caterer for the two buildings. The request drew five bids and after a review by a committee that included staff from the Nebraska Union, students and a faculty representative, Chez Hay was awarded the contract.
"We have signed a lease agreement and Chez Hay is now the exclusive provider of catering services to the Nebraska Union and Gaughan Center," said Francis. "They will provide both food and all beverage needs for events in these two facilities."
For more information on Chez Hay, go to http://www.chezhay.com. The Chez Hay website offers information on menus available for UNL events. For more information, or to order, call 489-7445.
Francis said the Nebraska Union website is currently being revamped to provide information on the change.
"Dining Services was a great business partner to the Nebraska Unions and we appreciate the years of services they provided to our customers and the university community," said Francis.
Dining Services' budget decision also involved closing the Quic-Kick store in the Stadium Parking Garage and the Corner Bakery in the Nebraska Union. The bakery is now run by the Nebraska Union and the Husker Authentic stadium shop is expanding into the Quic-Kick location.
"We also were not making money at either of those locations, so it was a good time to rethink our operations," said Burke. "We did open new convenience stores in Knoll and Abel residence halls, which allowed us to shift operations from the old locations to the new."
Through the reorganization, Dining Services did not cut any employee positions. Burke said workers at Quic-Kick moved to the two new convenience stores, while employees in the Nebraska Union catering location were absorbed into other Dining Services positions in residence halls.
Burke said Dining Services is also adding new meal delivery packages that will be available through catering in the East Union. For more information on Dining Services' catering options, go to http://go.unl.edu/qzy.
- Troy Fedderson, University Communications