KPU partners with new food service provider
Dana Hospitality is taking over on-campus food operations, serving up fresh, locally sourced, and diet-diverse offerings
The Cloverdale Corral at KPU's Tech campus serves a variety of grilled foods. (Claudia Culley)
Kwantlen Polytechnic University announced last month they’ve partnered with a new food service provider to continue and build on current food service operations at the institution.
Dana Hospitality, a Canadian-owned and operated food service management company, is now running campus cafeteria spaces, catering, and Tim Hortons locations, which were previously overseen by food service provider Chartwells Canada.
Chartwells had been KPU’s food service provider since 2021, but cafeterias run by the company closed across campuses last May due to low profits following the return of in-person classes after the COVID-19 pandemic.
After these operational challenges, KPU started a procurement process in search of a new food service provider, in which Dana Hospitality was awarded the contract, says KPU Director of Ancillary Services Dan Jackson.
“We felt that [Dana Hospitality] was a very good fit,” he says.
“They were going to provide the type of food, diversity, and menu that KPU needs, and they also brought an innovative proposal when it comes to how the food services operations will be run.”
Part of this proposal was introducing a new micro-market, which is now operating at the Langley campus, and offers a variety of salads and sandwiches. Dana Hospitality also focuses on cooking from scratch using fresh, local ingredients, Jackson says.
“Everything that you’ll eat will be cooked fresh from scratch, including sauces [and] all of their bread products,” he says, adding that there will be vegan, vegetarian, and halal food options.
Those employed by Chartwells who were working at KPU were also given the opportunity to continue their employment with Dana Hospitality.
“There are relationships that were formed with those frontline staff members, they’re part of the KPU community,” Jackson says. “The last time I spoke to Dana [Hospitality], the majority of staff have agreed to stay on.”
In addition to the Langley campus micro-market, Dana Hospitality has rebranded the Tech campus cafeteria to the “Cloverdale Corral,” which is now offering burgers, poutine, flatbreads, and breakfast foods. They’ve also taken over catering at the university, offering a menu with sandwiches, salads, platters, hot lunch buffets, and bite-sized snacks among other items. Tim Hortons offerings will remain the same.
“Dana is excited to be serving fresh and delicious food on all service points across the KPU campuses,” wrote Yazan Kanaan, Dana Hospitality district manager for B.C., Alberta, and Saskatchewan, in an email statement to The Runner.
“We are committed to creating unique and delightful culinary experiences tailored to meet the diverse tastes and preferences of the KPU community …. We are also dedicated to continuous improvement and are eager to hear feedback as we build this food service experience alongside KPU.”
While the cafeterias at the Surrey and Richmond campuses will remain closed, Jackson says there is potential for these spaces to reopen if foot traffic and sales in the operating food spaces increase.
In terms of pricing, ensuring there is value in the food offerings was key when picking the new food service provider, Jackson says.
“I think one of the challenges that we’re all faced with these days is inflationary increases, so everybody’s feeling the pinch,” he says.
“Making the right choices when you’re spending your hard-earned money is challenging at times. So … what you’ll see is very competitive pricing.”
To learn more about KPU’s food services, visit kpu.ca/food-services.
