For the Oakland University freshman visiting the Pioneer food court to grab a quick lunch, nothing is out of the ordinary. Nothing is missing -— nothing looks strange. Everything seems to be as it should. For returning OU students, they may notice changes, but they may not know the reason.

As fall semester began on Sept. 1, so did business for Papa John’s and Chop’d & Wrap’d. The pizzeria and wrap restaurants, respectively, replace food court fixtures Famous Famiglia and Wild Greens. The Grizz Express replaces the Oakland bookstore extension as well.

Gerald Gatto, dining district manager of OU, said that for each restaurant, there were specific reasons for departure. The pizzeria Famiglia, Gatto said, did not hit home with Oakland students.

Better value, quality

“Famous Famiglia did not have any brand recognition to the students here at the university,” Gatto said. “People could not associate with the restaurant and we needed a pizza that gave more value to students.”

Gatto made mention of how Papa John’s was a recognizable brand and could connect with students.

“Looking at Papa John’s, they do a lot of advertising,” Gatto said. “There are a lot of restaurants that a lot of people can be familiar with, and it was within the right value that we were looking for.”

To define what is meant by “value,” Gatto suggested both quality of food and customer satisfaction were paramount.

He compares an original slice of Famiglia pizza to the 8-inch personal pizza Papa John’s serves at Pioneer food court. Gatto said that Famiglia’s is only equivalent to a slice and a half of the Papa John’s entire pizza.

“So, when you get a personal pizza,” Gatto said. “You are getting more value in the product.”

Gatto also made reference to how students could not relate to the garlic knots served by Famiglia. With the cheese sticks that Papa John’s serves, he believes it will satisfy the customer’s desires for a breadstick product.

Healthier options

On the other side of both the palate and the food court, Chop’d & Wrap’d replaces Wild Greens, but for different reasons.

“There was a (wrap and sandwich) program we had many years ago, and it went over very well,” Gatto said. “We started to hear, ‘we don’t have enough wrap, sandwich varieties in the food court.’ “

Gatto said a wrap helps today’s student eat healthy while on the go.

“It (the wrap) is portable so you can carry it to class and eat it in your hand,” Gatto said. “Unlike a salad, where you need to sit down and eat it with a fork.”

Chop’d & Wrap’d is an unfamiliar name because it was created by Oakland University’s Executive Chef and Chartwells regional chef of the year John Miller.

Miller was informed by Gatto that he would be in charge of designing a restaurant in the food court that was similar to Wild Greens’ structure. For inspiration, Miller looked to Lebanese restaurant, The Honey Tree.

“I saw that a lot of people were ordering salads and they were given the option of wrapping them,” Miller said. “So I encompassed all of our salads into which they could be wrapped or composed.”

Chop’d & Wrap’d distinguishes itself from Subway by offering a wider variety of vegetables. Miller said that Chop’d & Wrap’d serves at least 20 different types of vegetables. Another way that Chop’d & Wrap’d separates itself from a standard sub or pita shop is that it provides students with more locally grown ingredients.

“Students looking for a healthy meal and who want to support the local economy should purchase from Chop’d & Wrap’d,” Miller said.

On-the-go choices

For most of last year, the upper level of the Oakland bookstore was closed. Chartwells was approached by OU regarding the potential of turning the former bookstore extension into a quick food stop.

“Because the program is (open) from 11 to 11, and that is after the food court is closed, there’s still something for students to eat,” Gatto said. “It’s not just a sandwich and a bagel. It’s a whole salad, fresh food components, hummus and dip, and if you want something fun to eat -— we have sliders and burritos.”

When asked if he has seen a change in the Pioneer Food Court, Gatto agreed and said that he saw it in more than just one way.

“I don’t think the students ten years ago were as educated as they are now on health, nutrition and exercise,” Gatto said.

Along with a greater education, today’s students also have more options from which to create a healthy, delectable and affordable diet.

For more information about Chartwells, visit oakland.edu/dining