The university asked and the students have responded–a Dunkin’ Donuts will replace Einstein Bros. Bagels in the Sherrod Library–but delays have officials scratching their heads as to when construction will begin.
“A survey went out [and] I think Einstein’s wasn’t as popular,” said Chief Operating Officer Jeremy Ross, who furthered that the survey also showed that students had a strong preference for adding a Dunkin’ Donuts to campus.
Ross said that the addition of Dunkin’ Donuts to on-campus dining options should be a refreshing change for students.
“I think the exciting part about Dunkin’ Donuts is [that] it’s a full menu,” Ross said. “I think it gives students a different price point and different selections.”
Ross specified that he was not entirely sure what the “full” menu would entail, but that the restaurant should have a variation of eight different coffees, cold brews and teas on-tap.
However, General Manager of Dining Services Bruce Reed was able to give more information about the menu.
“It will have the majority of everything you can get at Dunkin’ Donuts,” Reed said.
Reed was also able to confirm that construction of the Dunkin’ Donuts was in fact delayed, due to timing issues with the architect of the project.
Ross added that students can expect the entire construction process to take longer than the typical length for completing other dining establishments on campus, because the university must adhere to Dunkin’s strict guidelines for building.
Ross said that this means “a complete retrofit” for the space previously holding Einstein Bros. Bagels, as the university must use Dunkin’ Donuts approved colors, building materials and branding.
While the date of construction has yet to be determined, Reed assures that it will begin soon. To limit disruptions to faculty, staff and students who are in the Sherrod Library during construction, Reed said that officials will be installing a wall to limit noise, dust and debris.
According to Ross, the ultimate goal is for the construction of the Dunkin’ Donuts to be completed by the end of the year, as the estimated opening date is sometime in January 2024, and the restaurant will need time to stock inventory, as well as hire and train employees.
Ross shared that students might see changes coming to future dining facilities elsewhere on campus–stating that the facility located in the parking garage that contains Subway and the Garage Convenience Store are currently “under review.”
This means that university officials are currently reviewing how popular these options are with the ETSU community and considering potential options for the future.
While Reed would not give further information as to the future status of the dining options located at the parking garage, he did confirm that dining services officials are “continually looking at all of our operations.”
If university officials do decide to change the dining options located at the parking garage, Ross said that any new establishment would be selected after considering student opinion, as well as looking at trends in the popularity of restaurants located at other campuses.
