News Summary
The University of South Florida has permanently suspended BurgerFi and Starbucks located in Pinnacle Hall following a transition in dining providers. This move aims to reduce dining service costs at the university. Both establishments, originally opened in 2018, were managed by Aramark and are now closed, prompting student concerns over food accessibility. USF is exploring future options for the vacated spaces while other campus dining options remain operational.
Tampa — The University of South Florida (USF) has permanently suspended the operations of BurgerFi and Starbucks located in Pinnacle Hall. This decision follows a recent transition in dining providers from Aramark to Chartwells, which took effect in June 2023. The primary aim of the change is to reduce the costs associated with dining services at the university.
A spokesperson for USF’s Business and Finance indicated that the operations of these two restaurants were suspended because they were leased and directly managed by Aramark. Both BurgerFi and Starbucks initially opened their doors alongside Pinnacle, Endeavor, and Horizon Halls in the fall of 2018, catering to the needs of students living in those facilities.
While BurgerFi and Starbucks will not resume operations, other restaurants across the campus, including those in the Marshall Student Center food court, continue to operate independently and remain available to students. As for the spaces left vacant by the closure in Pinnacle Hall, USF is actively planning for future use, although no specific timeline for reopening has been set.
USF’s development partners, including Harrison Street Real Estate Capital and Capstone Development Partners, are currently exploring options for new retail spaces within Pinnacle Hall. However, it remains uncertain whether the previous restaurants will come back or if new dining alternatives will be introduced.
The suspension of BurgerFi and Starbucks has prompted concerns among students regarding accessibility to food and beverages before classes. Reports indicate that some students have found it less convenient to procure meals and snacks since the closure. Specifically, a sophomore chemistry major noted that the Starbucks had been a convenient and frequently visited option on campus. Another sophomore who used to frequent Starbucks daily referred to it as one of the few nearby coffee spots in The Village, expressing disappointment over its absence.
In response to the closure, some students have resorted to making coffee in their dorms, indicating a preference for Starbucks over alternative coffee outlets available on campus. This shift in student behavior underscores the popularity and reliance on the Starbucks location in Pinnacle Hall.
Additionally, there has been a noticeable increase in the lines at other food options on campus since the suspension of BurgerFi and Starbucks, suggesting a significant impact on student dining habits. Students have begun suggesting the introduction of new dining choices or additional amenities to replace the former BurgerFi location, with some proposing the idea of a student lounge or study space to foster a better social atmosphere and enhance campus amenities.
As USF navigates the transition in its dining services and plans for the future of Pinnacle Hall, it is clear that the closure of BurgerFi and Starbucks has created a gap in food services that many students feel in their daily routines.
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Additional Resources
- USF Oracle: USF Dining Switch Forces Closure of Starbucks
- Sun Sentinel: 50 Rodent Droppings in Kitchen, No Potable Running Water, 5 South Florida Restaurants Shut
- NBC Miami: South Florida Restaurants Facing Strong Headwinds
- Local 10: Several South Florida Restaurants Shuttering as Cost of Doing Business Increases
- The Palm Beaches: Flavor South Florida
Author: STAFF HERE TAMPA WRITER
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