Envision Strategies developed a streamlined plan to unify the University of Michigan’s dining operations into what is now Michigan Dining, grounded in an updated campuswide demand analysis and a strategic review of how new dining halls will shift distribution across Central Campus. The work identified opportunities to consolidate underperforming residential venues, repurpose select retail spaces into hybrid dining concepts, and realign hours and service models to better match student traffic patterns and evolving expectations. In parallel, Envision created a comprehensive financial projection and Business Plan to guide the transition to this consolidated model. This included evaluating meal plan strategy, introducing options such as curated meal exchanges and expanded stored‑value programs, and modeling long‑term operational and revenue impacts to ensure the new Michigan Dining structure remains both student‑centered and financially sustainable.

Watch our Thought Leaders in Foodservice Interview between Mindy and Steve Giardini