Chick-fil-A is the newest addition to campus and is bringing more than just long lines and new smells.
On Thursday, March 21, 2024, the University of Wyoming opened its newest restaurant on campus and the third of its kind in the state (second to remain open), Chick-fil-A. One of the goals of the restaurant is to bring more people into the Wyoming Union from on and off campus.
“One thing that we have been working towards, and I know the campus has been working towards, is bringing more people into the Union and making the Union feel a little more like it did pre-COVID,” Dining Director Amy Bey said.
One high school student, Andrew, visited campus on opening day with hopes to get Chick-fil-A, but had to make other plans due to the length of the line.
“I went to Panda on the opening day because the line was out the door and we had to make it back for class,” he said.
These new faces on campus brought a new energy to the Union.
“I can’t always tell the difference between people from off campus and on campus, but it feels – energized,” Bey said. “There was almost a little too much energy right at the first lunch, but not in a bad way. We were ready for it.”
With 1,184 transactions between three registers and online mobile orders, the restaurant saw success just over their projections.
Even with the draw that Chick-fil-A brings, the other restaurants on campus, specifically Panda Express didn’t see much change to their revenue.
“Honestly, I think Panda did almost the same as it always does. It was definitely a smaller line than the Chick-fil-A, but as far as the patrons and the revenue for that day, it looks to be pretty similar to what it has been in the past,” Bey said.
Despite the data of students requesting Chick-fil-A and its monetary success on opening day, Chick-fil-A isn’t some students’ first choice.
“I’m a bit disappointed that they got rid of the old options because I feel like all of the options on campus [now] are just fried fast food. Right now, [Chick-fil-A] feels like a better option than Panda Express, just as far as what’s going to make my body feel a bit better, but overall it would be nice to have more healthy options on campus,” James Vislosky, a geology major said. “I feel like it’s more of a downgrade than anything.”
