Mo Food, Mo Opportunities: Chartwell’s Food Service Changes Give Students More of What They’re Hungry For

Change is in the air, and in the Pitt-Greensburg cafeteria. 

This fall, there have been many changes in Chartwells Food Services. Grill Nation has been rebranded into True Burger, and it is open until 11 p.m. Monday through Friday. Wraps and smoothies have been added to the Coffee House menu. The dining hall’s original four-week menu rotation has evolved into an eight-week rotation to offer students more diverse options–including college-student staples like mac-and-cheese bites. 

Director of Chartwells Food Services Shawn Clements hopes the changes will keep things fresh, while still making sure favorite dishes are always on the menu. 

“The fan favorites seem to be chicken tenders and General Tso’s chicken,” Clements said. “We are busier on those days. As far a new fan favorite, nothing has emerged quite yet. But at the Coffee House, the smoothies have really taken off.” 

Clements said the changes came about when he compared food service at other universities and decided Pitt-Greensburg was overdue for some updates. 

“I saw what [other schools]were doing versus what we were doing and it was obvious that it was time for a change,” Clements said. 

Clements worked closely with Leigh Hoffman, dean of Student Life and Success, in planning new options. He and his staff also listened to students. 

“We did a survey last semester. I took those results and looked at the big picture,” Clements said. 

The changes bring more than new food options. New work opportunities are available for students beyond the usual work-study offerings. 

True Burger is offering evening shifts. The Coffee House is looking for staff for morning and afternoon hours, and the dining hall also offers morning and evening availability. 

More work opportunities mean more possibilities, too. The Coffee House, which has had to shorten its hours due to lack of workers, could be open more often–good news for students who need their caffeine at all hours. 

“If we can get enough students [employed], we can possibly look at opening the Coffee House back to its original hours,” Clements said.

But wait, according to Clements, more changes are in the works. 

“We do have more plans for improvements and innovations. One of the things we will be working on and planning is to get mobile ordering on campus,” Clements said. “That will be a game changer.”

For more information about work opportunities at Chartwells, contact Shawn Clements (clements@pitt.edu) or Margo Elder (mae193@pitt.edu)