What Will College Dining Look Like This Fall?
At the outset of 2020, none of us could have predicted what the first half of the year would bring. Almost overnight, educational institutions were forced to pivot from normal patterns to distance/remote learning, and food service operations screeched to a halt.
We previously discussed the impact Generation Alpha will have on facility design and processes, however, the realities of a post Covid-19 world will further drive changes in how institutions will have to adapt.
Social distancing (both required and self-imposed) practices will shift food consumption into all available spaces, forcing the need to provide a much higher percentage of takeout options. This will require flexible designs both in back of house operations, and student interaction spaces. Furthermore, this behavior change will require dining room layouts and circulation patterns to be reconsidered and reconfigured. Maintaining the recommended six-foot distances may prove challenging, especially for facilities with immovable fixtures.
Masks are likely to be part of the new normal, making it more difficult for staff to efficiently communicate with guests. As a result, the utilization of mobile (touchless) ordering will increase since it reduces necessary human interaction. The cost of implementing such systems could be offset by labor savings and improved efficiency.
Catering and food delivery will most certainly play an increasing role, causing a shift in human resource utilization and related facility changes. Improved back-of-house egress points, and access to delivery vehicles, will be required to maintain efficient operations.
No matter how students interact with facilities, starting in the fall of 2020, dramatically increased cleaning and sanitizing cycles will be required. Traditionally, cleaning stations have been hidden from view, but customers will now likely prefer to see clear evidence that cleanliness is a priority. Providing resources for guests to clean their own spaces before use will also become commonplace.
Regardless of how this all shakes out, there will no doubt be reduced student volume (and revenue) for the balance of 2020 and possibly beyond. Some universities have already announced partial or total distance learning schedules for the fall, while others are planning modified schedules that start early and end live classes at Thanksgiving.
With cleanliness and sanitation at the top of operational concerns, attention to HVAC systems and airflow should be paramount for facility managers. From duct cleaning, to increased filter change frequency, customers will demand to know how air quality is being monitored and assured.
Remaining adaptable within your existing infrastructure will be key to immediate success, but long-term planning for greater flexibility will ensure your facilities will be able to meet the demands of the future, whatever they may be.
Edge is ready to help with your short, medium and long-term planning and design needs, and once you’ve set your direction we are ready with all the resources to support an efficient and accurate execution. The specific of the future may be in question but who you reply upon for support need not be.