The food court at the Johnson Center will undergo renovations starting during spring break to bring in several new restaurants, including Chipotle. Creative Services file photo.
Mason Dining options will undergo a number of changes this year, starting as early as spring break, and Patriots should prepare themselves to say hello to some new choices.
Chipotle, Steak & Shake, Blaze Pizza and Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill are just a few of the brands that will be offered on the Fairfax Campus in the coming months.
The updates, according to Marc Fournier, assistant vice president of Auxiliary Enterprises, are a result of community feedback obtained through surveys and focus groups conducted by dining about the current options on campus and what people hope to see in the future.
The survey showed that George Mason University is now transitioning from feeding the millennial student to the Generation Z student. John Teeple, director of Mason Dining, says Generation Z wants to see fresher options on campus, which means food that is almost completely assembled in front of them.
Following spring break, Burger King, Erbert & Gerbert and Jorge’s will be exiting and the Johnson Center food court will be walled off for construction. Blaze Pizza, a custom oven-fired pizza brand, and Steak & Shake, with its freshly made steak burgers, will be moving into the Johnson Center, along with Chipotle.
A desire for more ethnic food options was also included in a number of survey responses. Garbanzo, a Mediterranean-style grill, will be joining the Johnson Center food court and will offer halal meat as part of their menu. Star Ginger will be expanding its location to offer more of its Asian-inspired cuisine.
According to Fournier, survey results indicated that students were spending approximately $20 a week on snack foods, like coffee and small meals. To satisfy these cravings, Dunkin Donuts will open the week of March 20 in Tidewater. Plans to move Auntie Anne’s to the east side of the Johnson Center near Freshens have begun but are currently awaiting state approval, Fournier said.
Another addition to the campus food scene will be food trucks. Steak & Shake will be opening up with a food truck during the Johnson Center renovations alongside the Mason-owned “Hungry Patriot,” which will offer a rotating menu every few weeks based on consumer feedback. Both trucks will be parked in the circle by the Mason statue.
As far as remaining restaurants go, IndAroma and Red Hot & Blue will be moved downstairs and use the kitchen space from the Bistro to remain open during these renovations. Taco Bell also plans to close following graduation, and AFC Sushi will occupy that space in the fall.
Although there are many changes, Teeple said Mason Dining will continue to adjust its services based on future feedback from members of the Mason community.
“The reoccurring reason that we make change is because of the student,” Teeple said. “That’s why we’re here.”