In this episode of Thought Leaders in Foodservice, Rob White of Envision Strategies explored Boston University's innovative dining program with Paul Riel, Associate Vice President of Auxiliary Services. Operating in an urban setting, BU's dining services faces unique challenges serving 35,000 students, with 12,000 on meal plans across its city campus.
Paul shared how BU leverages advanced dashboard technology to monitor key performance metrics, enabling rapid operational adjustments. The conversation highlighted three strategic priorities: enhancing student dining experiences, reducing operational barriers, and addressing food insecurity within their community.
While gathering meaningful student feedback remains challenging, Paul discussed BU's creative approaches to understanding and responding to evolving student needs. Their solutions bridge the gap between service delivery and student satisfaction, setting new standards for campus dining excellence, and demonstrating how data-driven decisions and strategic planning can transform campus dining operations.
If you have questions that you’d love to hear answered by some of the industry’s most influential operators, be sure to comment them below! And be sure to subscribe to our newsletter below: