Construction has begun on a new national chain restaurant at Southern Arkansas University that may be open as soon as February 1, 2018, for the campus and the community.
Panda Express Chinese Kitchen, a “fast casual Chinese restaurant,” will open in the clubhouse of the University Village apartment complex on the east end of campus. There were many hurdles to overcome in bringing Panda to SAU, but the administration was fueled by student polling that indicated a preference for on-campus Asian dining.
“SAU is excited to be bringing something to our campus, not only for our students but for the community,” Dr. Trey Berry, president of SAU, said. “We think this new addition will bring variety to our food services, but also a national chain to Magnolia.”
The gated service road leading from East University Street to the University Village clubhouse will be opened and paved to accommodate traffic so that diners from outside SAU can easily access Panda. There will be signage on University Street and the clubhouse, and seating inside for more than 20 people.
“This new dining option has many benefits, from relieving the pressure on our Blue and Gold Cafeteria in the Reynolds Center to offering more options,” said Dr. Donna Allen, vice president for student affairs. “Also, the clubhouse is a nice facility and has been underutilized. We are replacing the convenience store there, which was not viable, with what we know will be a popular dining option.”
Alain Verbeiren, Aramark’s food services director at SAU, said Panda will offer students as well as the Magnolia community an affordable dining option and quality food. It will serve the full menu of American Chinese cuisine. Entrees include Orange Chicken, Kung Pao Chicken, Broccoli Beef, Shanghai Angus Steak, and Honey Walnut Shrimp. Side items include chow mein, fried rice, mixed vegetables, and white-and-brown steamed rice. He said the food Panda offers is a great value because it is “really fresh, tastes great, and for a great price.”
Verbeiren said he hopes the restaurant will operate six days a week, 12 months a year. The restaurant area will seat more than 20 guests, and there will be overflow seating available in the clubhouse. A portion of the clubhouse will be renovated for the incoming restaurant, which will contain 1,185 square feet. Food Service Renovations, based in Morrow, Georgia, will be in charge of the project.
The addition of Panda will also add up to 20 new jobs to the area, adding to SAU Aramark’s current total of 125 employees. New Panda staff members will receive four weeks of training, and management staff up to five weeks. Anyone interested in applying for a position with Panda may visit www.aramark.com, Verbeiren said.
Verbeiren said the restaurant will be “consistent in quality and hospitality” with other on-campus offerings such as Chick-fil-A and Subway. Similar to getting Panda, SAU administration had many challenges to overcome in acquiring the Chick-fil-A franchise in 2012. Yet, the restaurant in the Bruce Center at SAU has exceeded national averages in sales, according to Verbeiren, and has expanded annually to add new items such as breakfast and shakes. The cafeteria also expanded this fall to accommodate SAU’s growing enrollment and added a Mongolian Grill, which has also proven to be popular with the students.
Panda Restaurant Group, Inc. is family owned, and SAU had to obtain the approval of Panda’s board to open the new restaurant. Gia Naffarrete of Panda flew in from Rosemead, California, on June 28, 2017, to look at the area and tour campus. Aramark regional and corporate offices approved the venture, and Panda’s board gave its approval on September 27.
