Qdoba, Subway and Einstein Bros. Bagels are coming to UCCS as soon as fall 2025.
The Taqueria and the Corner Deli at Cafe ‘65 are getting replaced by Qdoba and Subway. An Einstein Bros. Bagels will open in Summit Village.
According to Larry Lee, executive director of auxiliary services, the contracts and licensing with the three businesses are still underway, but he anticipates that they will be up and running by fall 2025.
Lee said that having these brands on campus will increase student engagement, especially because the demand for them is so high.
“What we are trying to accomplish in six months usually takes 18 months to complete, but the pent-up demand for national brands on campus is tangible, and we don’t want to wait another year,” Lee said.
Ryan Strating, a freshman electrical engineering major, said he likes Cafe ‘65, but would spend more time there if there was a Qdoba and Subway.
“I would come every single day. I love my Qdoba order, and the closest Subway is a 10-minute drive, so every time I go, I get two foot-longs so that I have leftovers,” Strating said.
Dionisio Marcelo, a junior psychology major, said he likes the current Cafe ‘65 options. “I like how the current options are very local to UCCS. The restaurants are not name brand, but are UCCS’ own,” he said.
Marcelo said he had concerns about the prices. “Putting a Qdoba and Subway [in] will increase the food options, but students are not the richest people, and prices add up,” Marcelo said.
Meals will be sold at commercial prices. Retail swipes will be eligible to be used at the new locations. Each swipe is worth $7.50, and each meal plan includes between one and three retail swipes a day.
To secure contracts and licensing with each franchise, UCCS has to pay a franchise fee and monthly royalties depending on revenue. The funding for these franchises comes from auxiliary services, which is funded by meal plan purchases and cash and credit sales.
“The costs of having these franchises should pay for themselves … What we are sure of is that demand will increase, thus increasing sales and revenue,” Lee said.
Student employees at Cafe ‘65 will still have jobs after the restaurants are replaced. “Chancellors are intent on student employees being student employees, so each franchise will be employed by students,” Lee said.
A lot of consideration went into choosing which restaurants fit best with the university’s needs, according to Lee. Dining and auxiliary services assessed Dunkin Donuts, Jersey Mikes and Jimmy Johns franchise details.
They ultimately chose Einstein Bros. Bagels and Subway because of their menus and student employment opportunities. Lee said Qdoba was a given, and that students were very vocal about wanting it on campus.
Coop, the chicken restaurant at the cafe, is not being replaced because there is not a chicken franchise that will allow students to be employed. Lee said that Olive, the pizza restaurant at the cafe, is not being replaced because according to studies he reviewed, students don’t differentiate between pizza brands.
Cafe ‘65 can be found on the second floor of University Center. Summit Village resident halls are located near Columbine Hall.
A sandwich is prepared at the Corner Deli in Cafe ‘65. Photo by Josiah Dolan.