The Daily Tar Heel
URL: http://www.dailytarheel.com/index.php/article/2012/02/wendys_expected_to_open_in_the_union_by_august
Current Date: Thu, 24 May 2012 12:45:49 -0400
Wendy’s expected to open in the Union by August
| 
Tools
The bottom entrance of the Student Union on South Road is undergoing construction.
Possibly Related
- Pair of Church Street sexual battery cases being investigated by Chapel Hill police MAY 23
- UNC professor is named to the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of N.C. Board of Trustees MAY 23
- Kenan-Flagler study finds a perception gap in women’s leadership opportunities MAY 23
- WakeMed withdraws offer to purchase Rex Healthcare MAY 22
- Governor’s School pushes for restoration of funding MAY 22
The South Road entrance to the Student Union will be closed for roughly the next eight weeks, marking one of the first visible steps in bringing a 24-hour Wendy’s to campus.
Construction on the fast food restaurant will begin when the current Union renovations are completed in May, said Scott Myers, director of food and vending for Carolina Dining Services.
Myers said he expects the Wendy’s to open in August in time for Week of Welcome.
Carolina Dining Services plans to hire as many students as possible to work in the new restaurant, he said, especially since the late night hours won’t conflict with class schedules.
The new Wendy’s will cost $1.7 million, $1.5 million of which will come from student fees. The remaining money will be provided by Auxiliary Services, Myers said.
The other changes in the Union are part of an ongoing $7 million renovation project, which will bring the building in compliance with health and safety codes, said Tony Patterson, senior associate director of the Union.
“It won’t look a ton different,” he said.
The renovations, which are limited to the bottom floor, will include new flooring and carpeting and the installation of new fire alarms and sprinkler heads, said Scott Hudson, senior associate director of operations for the Union.
The renovations represent phase one of planned renovations to the Union. Phase two, which would have added more meeting rooms and a performance space, was voted down in a referendum last year.
Hudson said phase one will remove the Cabaret, expand lounge space and add new meeting rooms in the building’s east wing.
Patterson said the first-floor multipurpose room, which UNC Student Television had used as a studio, will be split in half. STV will be granted exclusive use of a portion of the space, and the remainder will be allotted for the Union’s marketing and design department.
Jordan Powell, a junior journalism major, said he is excited for the new restaurant.
“Wendy’s — that’s all we need,” he said.
Paul Hartley, general manager of Alpine Bagel Cafe, said he doesn’t think Wendy’s will affect business, even though Alpine is now the only food venue in the Union. He said the differences in the products will ensure customers for both restaurants.
“People can’t get enough of the Alpine bagel,” he said.
Ryan Volatile, a junior business major, said he is excited about the new Wendy’s but thinks the other changes are unnecessary.
“There’s plenty of meeting space already,” he said. “You can always meet in empty classrooms at night.”
Savannah Helvey, a junior biology and education major, said she doesn’t think UNC needs a Wendy’s.
Helvey said it detracts from the fair-trade missions of places like Alpine Bagel Cafe and 1.5.0.
She also said the renovations seem unnecessary.
“There are rooms in Davis (Library) people don’t always utilize,” she said. “(The renovations) might not be the best use of space or students’ money.”
Contact the University Editor at university@dailytarheel.com.
Online Poll:
Do you think fracking can be done safely?
14 comments
As a parent I’m furious to read this article. Why on earth would student fees be used to pay for a junk food venue? Wendy’s makes plenty of money; it’s a profitable franchise and in general, franchisees fund the restaurants. Is UNC the franchisee? If so, wouldn’t the university make all profits? So why the heck should students pay for it?
Also, I’m shocked that a university with a teaching hospital attached would consider adding junk food venues in the face of news about growing obesity and food-related health issues. Does UNC not read its own, and related, research?
This doesn’t seem like the best use of our tuition money especially with recent hikes.
This is so upsetting. Is there really a need on campus for a Wendy’s? Is the trek to Carrboro just too strenuous? And more importantly (at least to me), is it worth removing one of the very few performance and rehearsal spaces that we have on this campus? Performing arts groups struggle and battle every semester over rehearsal and performing space. I guess if anyone was in doubt over the university’s declining value of the performing arts, that doubt has been eradicated.
30k students, 1.5million fees = 50$ per student. You better order a lot of 99c menu items to get your money’s worth.
Wendy’s is great though. Not really sure why it costs us so much though
“Students demand 24hr food service, complain when given 24hr food service.” “Students vote down referendum enabling new, improved performance space, complain at lack of performance space.”
Get over it. There has been a constant need for a food venue that is available after hours. Not everyone wants to eat bagels every time they study late at night. This is going to be a great addition that I know a lot of students are excited about!
The renovation “will bring the building in compliance with health and safety codes.” How ironic. This should BE a health code violation. Great point JJ about UNC not reading its own research.
This is disgusting, infuriating, and humiliating. I can’t believe I’m part of a university that would invite such an ethically and environmentally destructive chain to UNC- we already have enough of this with Subway and Chick Fil A. I wish I was graduating this year so I wouldn’t have to see such a vile corporation literally and metaphorically sicken my campus. For all UNC students do well… this is the most backwards move we have made.
Students, wake up. Fast food chains are a huge part of a food system that commits human and animal rights abuses on a massive scale; exploits natural resources; contributes to deforestation, climate change, obesity, diabetes, and heart disease; pollutes air, water, and soil… the list goes on. It’s against everything that we collectively stand for. Pick an issue—poverty, hunger, environmental degradation, human rights violations—you name it; the fast food industry has systematically amplified and entrenched these problems. We may not be paying for them with our $0.99 for a burger or our student fees- but trust me, we are paying for them. Read a damn book: Fast Food Nation to start.
The Wendy’s is here for now but soon future UNC students will force it out… they’ll look back at us and wonder, what the hell were they thinking?
Please boycott Wendy’s and eat at 1.5.0. instead- it’s amazingly delicious and truly embraces the idea of corporate social and environmental responsibility.
Wow. Most of these responses are reasonable, but then there’s the grand winner at the end. I was expecting a bizarre hippie backlash, and Jamie just delivered in spades. “Future UNC students will force out Wendy’s?” No, they won’t, because unlike you, most people just choose to not patronize businesses that they don’t particularly like, instead of causing a scene and being presumptuous enough to tell others what to do. Nobody’s requiring you to get your weekly fill of delicious Frosty. Do all of us normal people a favor, and drop the condescending attitude of faux enlightenment on the proper way to live.
And as far as 1.5.0, here’s their menu from today:
$6.50 Combo (Served with Your Choice of Side)
Local Turkey Bacon and Swiss Melt on Local Artisan Texas Toast
Entree for $5.39
$6.50 Vegetarian Combo (Served with Your Choice of Side)
Curried Cauliflower, Eggplant and Tomato with Jasmine Rice
Entree for $5.39
$6.50 Entree
Scoop of Carolina Chicken Salad on 1.5.0. Salad
Turkey, bacon and cheese sandwich for $6.50? Thanks, but no thanks. A double stack and a snack wrap still only comes out to $2.50 or so.
I love Wendy’s and try to have at least one Frosty every day.
All should know that Wendy’s was selected and voted on by the student body a number of years ago. This was not a decision made by the Union.
This is a great addition, especially when waiting for the bus on south rd
People shouldn’t come down on the student union over tuition hikes… it the one place on campus that is really for the students. Any addition here should be praised and welcome. the fact is that building codes change and all buildings have to be brought up to code at some point. the campus is growing and the need for more food option are expanding also
Just imagine that wonderful Alpine smell being permeated by a sickening wave of fried chicken goo and french fries. That’s enough to make me never study in the Union again.
I can’t wait to get Frostys at Wendy’s with my new boyfriend Large Ham Sandwich.
Join the discussion
You Should Know
The Daily Tar Heel reserves the right to remove any comment deemed racially derogatory, inflammatory, or spammatory. Repeat offenders may have their IP address banned from posting future comments. Please be nice.
If this is the first time you've commented, your comment won't appear until you've verified your email address.
Formatting Options:
- Links: "my link":http://my.url.com
- Bold: *something!*
- Italic: _OMG!_
Serving UNC students and the community since 1893
© 2012 DTH Publishing Corp. All rights reserved.
Flag this comment