SALT LAKE CITY — University of Utah Dining is strengthening the connection between campus life and the surrounding Salt Lake City community by offering a growing lineup of local food and beverage partners to campus. Through collaborations with the Bean Yard Coffee House, Cupbop, The Other Side Donuts, Cilantree, Greek Kabobs and Hugo Coffee, the dining program is expanding student choice, supporting local businesses and helping create a more vibrant, community-centered campus experience.
The partnerships reflect a broader effort to build a dining program that goes beyond traditional campus food service. By bringing locally rooted brands directly to students, University of Utah Dining is helping make campus a place where students can gather, discover favorite local flavors and feel more connected to both the university and the surrounding city.
“Our goal is to connect students with local partners that have meaningful ties to the university and the broader community,” Resident District Manager Kyle Suerth said. “These partnerships help us build a program that is more than a typical dining experience. They support student engagement, create ‘destination’ gathering places and strengthen the campus community and culture.”
The Bean Yard brings a meaningful University of Utah connection to campus through an owner who is a U graduate, making the partnership a natural example of how alumni and local businesses can continue contributing to the student experience long after their time on campus.
“After spending years on this campus, it is exciting and refreshing to return to serve coffee to the university that helped pave my way to fulfillment,” Bean Yard Coffee House owner Eugene Kim said.
Cupbop, now serving students in Gardner Commons, also has deep ties to the university. The Korean barbecue concept started as a food truck at the University of Utah campus and has since grown into a widely recognized brand, with 72 locations in the United States and 250 locations internationally. This homegrown success gives students an on-campus connection to a story that began in 2013 with the U community.
“Since opening our first food truck in 2013, Cupbop has grown significantly both domestically and internationally,” Junghun Song, a founder and CEO of Cupbop, said. “Through it all, the University of Utah has remained one of our main home grounds for serving Korean BBQ, and together with the Student Union, we host the largest Korean festival on campus. We are deeply grateful to be part of this community and always look for new ways to grow alongside it.”
The Other Side Donuts began catering campus events about three years ago. Now, after being selected by student vote, the local favorite serves donuts, coffee and savory breakfast items from a permanent location in Trailhead Residence Hall. The partnership gives students convenient access to a local brand while supporting The Other Side Village, a neighborhood program that creates jobs, connections and second chances in the greater Salt Lake City community.
“We are grateful to the University of Utah for partnering with us to open another location, right on campus,” Other Side Donuts General Manager Nicolas Smith said. “Together we are growing leaders and pushing people beyond what they believe they are capable of. In doing so, we’re connecting the campus and community with a favorite treat.”
Additional local partners further expand the program’s variety and community impact. Cilantree, brings elevated and authentic Indian cuisine, and Greek Kabobs, offers quick-service Greek entreés, adding to the internationally inspired dining options at Gardner Commons. Hugo Coffee offers students another local coffee experience in the Epicenter. Together, these brands add culinary diversity, convenience, and local character to campus dining.
University of Utah Dining selects local partners with student feedback in mind. Each semester, the program hosts a vendor fair for local businesses interested in partnering with campus dining. The process is designed to create a campus environment with a diverse range of cuisines and convenient options, reducing the need for students to leave campus for meals while giving them access to brands they know and enjoy.
The local partnerships also support the University of Utah’s College Town Magic™ vision by helping transform campus into a more active, welcoming and residential destination. Local eateries provide authentic dining experiences that reflect the culture and character of Salt Lake City, contribute to local economic development, and create natural gathering spaces where students can connect outside the classroom.
About Chartwells Higher Education
Chartwells is the recognized leader in contract foodservice management, hospitality, and guest service at more than 320 colleges and universities across the United States. Chartwells delivers “Dining, Made Personal” through quality, craveable food and dining programs tailored to each campus and designed around real student life. With signature service and meaningful connections, Chartwells partners with institutions to co-create campus experiences that make students and guests feel seen and welcomed.
