Advanced Fresh Concepts (AFC) Sushi Bar and Grab and Go will replace the Burger King that once occupied the Treehouse Snack Bar, located between Brooks Gym and Ball Hall.
The decision to close Burger King came last spring, although the contract process for renovating the Treehouse was delayed until mid-August.
Student spending habits were the primary reason for making the change, according to Dr. Tony Warner, assistant vice president for the University Center/ID System Services.
“We had been watching sales volume drop,” he said of the Burger King. “We were selling more non-Burger King products than Burger King products. That was a pretty good signal to us that a change was needed.
“Students are buying healthier food and it’s what they’ve been asking for,” Warner added.
The decision to make the change was made jointly by Aramark Campus Dining Services and the university. Renovations at the Treehouse should be completed within four to six weeks.
Once renovations are complete, the Treehouse will feature prepared food products ideal for students pressed for time.
“Most of the items will be packaged, ready to go and include a wide variety of sandwiches and salads,” said Director of Food Services Darrel Humphrey.
Students will also be able to purchase ice cream at both the Treehouse and Java City in the Culp Center.
Elsewhere on campus, additional renovations started in the D.P. Culp Center on Tuesday, as workers began demolition of the entryway facing J.L. Seehorn Jr. Drive. The front entrance will be closed, including both of the exterior doors leading into BucMart, for four to six weeks.
Warner understands student frustration with the renovations, and other options were considered, including a plan to move all the restaurants from the Atrium into the Cave.
“We considered a move, but decided the cost to the students would have been too high,” Warner said. “It cost us $36,000 to move Java City (Java City was temporarily moved to the Atrium while the Cave underwent renovations). It would have cost us several times more to move those restaurants on a temporary basis.
“It was a trade-off,” Warner added. “It was the best scenario we could come up with to balance food services with the need to conduct renovations.”
The interior ramp of the Culp Center will also be closed for seven to 10 days for renovations.

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