Subway opened Jan. 12 in the Ferguson Center as a result of the University Food Service Committee and student surveys indicating that a new sub sandwich option would be desirable, said Kristina Hopton-Jones, director of University dining services.
The arrival of Subway marks the departure of Edy’s Ice Cream, which occupied the space where Subway is now situated.
“Edy’s was not a particularly popular brand with students, but the location was great,” Hopton-Jones said. “Since novelty ice cream is sold in the food court, it did not make sense to have a large, underutilized concept in such a great space in the Ferguson Center. When the decision was made to make a switch to Subway, Bama Dining felt like the area previously utilized by Edy’s in the seating area would provide the space and visibility needed to accommodate the popular Subway brand.”
Blimpie formerly supplied for students’ sub sandwich needs, but its contract with Bama Dining has ended and a new food option, a baked potato and hot dog station, resides there instead.
“The contract with Blimpie ended, but students still said that a sandwich shop was important to keep in the Ferguson Center,” Hopton-Jones said. “Subway was the obvious choice because of the nationally recognized specials, healthy options and brand popularity.”
Hopton-Jones said no other restaurants were considered for the space that Subway now occupies.
Bama Cash and Dining Dollars are accepted, she said.
Kelli Knox-Hall, senior assistant director of Ferguson operations, said the University Food Service Committee, which contributed to the decision to place Subway in the Ferguson Center, is comprised of faculty, staff and students.
“It is a committee put together by Auxiliary Services that meets on a monthly basis,” she said. “Auxiliary Services takes feedback and suggestions from that group … and will ask them to go eat at different Bama Dining locations.”
Eli Perez, a junior majoring in management, said the table space adjoining the area of the Food Court has always been congested when lunchtime rolls around.
“I think it’s always been an issue of space, but I think [Subway] gives more variety to the students already there,” he said. “With more students [enrolled], it’s going to be packed regardless… but Subway’s the way to go with sandwiches.”
Robert Schaefers, a senior majoring in operations management, said despite the added congestion to the table space, the opening of Subway was a good move.
“During the rush, it does create some congestion, but it was a good idea to get some more variety,” he said.
Caitlin Cody, a sophomore majoring in nursing, said the line at Subway has moved at a quick enough pace to prevent overcrowding.
“The line was moving pretty quickly,” she said. “It was moving so fast that people weren’t jutting out into the table spaces… but it’s going to be clustered no matter what.”
Subway will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
