[UAzipsMan]

I know, its the age-old question of where the University will finally get a franchise of either place on or near campus. We all have wanted them, myself included, as do the countless residents on or around campus. However, this time I think it's got validity...

Had a close friend tell me the other day that University Park Alliance bought the properties between Penn Station and Allyn Street (the former College Bookstore/Miracle Trophies, Revol Wireless store, etc) and are planning to demolish them and build a small building where a new Chipotle and 5 Guys Bugers and Fries would be housed. Nothing has been made official according to him, but the plans are in place and the chances are VERY high.

I havent been able to validate that UPA did or didn't buy those properties, but the idea alone sounds promising!

[Blue & Gold]

I know, its the age-old question of where the University will finally get a franchise of either place on or near campus. We all have wanted them, myself included, as do the countless residents on or around campus. However, this time I think it's got validity...

Had a close friend tell me the other day that University Park Alliance bought the properties between Penn Station and Allyn Street (the former College Bookstore/Miracle Trophies, Revol Wireless store, etc) and are planning to demolish them and build a small building where a new Chipotle and 5 Guys Bugers and Fries would be housed. Nothing has been made official according to him, but the plans are in place and the chances are VERY high.

I havent been able to validate that UPA did or didn't buy those properties, but the idea alone sounds promising!

[HOLLYWOODZIPPY]

My company is working on a proposal for that project right now. That means they likely haven't purchased it yet, but are very close. The plans I've seen show a building more like the exchange street dorms, which could easily house either or both of those restaurants. Either of those would be a gold mine on campus, I would think.

[ZachTheZip]

It would be a culture-changer for the campus.

[Dr Z]

Let my one margarita experience be a warning to anybody thinking of ordering a margarita at Chipotle....DON'T DO IT.
It really looks like a bad idea when I actually type that out. Maybe I should start doing that more often.
The margaritas in lot 9 blow those things away.

[RootforRoo44]

Forget Five Guys/Chipotle, A Skyway or a Swensons would make a killing...why both of those local places haven't put one in on campus is beyond me. They wouldn't know what to do with all of that money.

[ZachTheZip]

I'd rather have a Qdoba on campus over a Chipotle. It gives the students more options. If they want Chipotle they can go to any number of them in the area, but there aren't any Qdobas around Akron.

A Panera would make a killing. If I could afford the startup costs, I would open a franchise somewhere between campus and downtown.

[LZip]

woooooooo!

[Hilltopper]

I was in the fast food business previously and considered putting a location in the new student center until I found out what UA wanted in return. It was a no brainer to walk away. The big problem with any of these places is that its almost impossible to make any money in the restaurant business to begin with. If you own a franchise. you are stuck giving 6-10% of your gross to them up front and when you are located inside the University they expect a cut also.

[akronad]

I was in the fast food business previously and considered putting a location in the new student center until I found out what UA wanted in return. It was a no brainer to walk away. The big problem with any of these places is that its almost impossible to make any money in the restaurant business to begin with. If you own a franchise. you are stuck giving 6-10% of your gross to them up front and when you are located inside the University they expect a cut also.

You're quite right. I was in the business 30 years ago. it wa that way then and nothing has changed. That is why prices at stadiums, arenas, concert venues are so high.

I do hope they get the 5 Guys. I would get lunch there 3 days a week.

[RootforRoo44]

I was in the fast food business previously and considered putting a location in the new student center until I found out what UA wanted in return. It was a no brainer to walk away. The big problem with any of these places is that its almost impossible to make any money in the restaurant business to begin with. If you own a franchise. you are stuck giving 6-10% of your gross to them up front and when you are located inside the University they expect a cut also.

Forget the union, they would only need to put it on exchange.

[Dr Z]

Had a close friend tell me the other day that University Park Alliance bought the properties between Penn Station and Allyn Street (the former College Bookstore/Miracle Trophies, Revol Wireless store, etc) and are planning to demolish them and build a small building where a new Chipotle and 5 Guys Bugers and Fries would be housed.

Far walk from campus.

[UAzipsMan]

It would appear things are moving along, but with the addition of more dorms.

I for one am pretty excited theyre adding more dorms with storefronts. This is the type of plan they need to be using for all of south campus.

http://www.ohio.com/news/new-student-housi...street-1.313915

[Yaznasty]

It would appear things are moving along, but with the addition of more dorms.

I for one am pretty excited theyre adding more dorms with storefronts. This is the type of plan they need to be using for all of south campus.

http://www.ohio.com/news/new-student-housi...street-1.313915

I'm interested to see what type of "dorm" this will be. It's not going to be university-run, so I would imagine it would just be apartments, but I never recall 22 Exchange (also student specific housing) being referred to as dorms. Has anyone ever heard of non-university affiliated student housing that was actually basic residence hall style?

[akzipper]

I'm interested to see what type of "dorm" this will be. It's not going to be university-run, so I would imagine it would just be apartments, but I never recall 22 Exchange (also student specific housing) being referred to as dorms. Has anyone ever heard of non-university affiliated student housing that was actually basic residence hall style?

I'm also surprised the article even refers to them as dorms. Using that term around a group of RA's is worse than using a racial slur.

Curious as to what 7 retail/food options there will be on the first floor.