Gourmet wraps and flat-bread pizza are individually hand-crafted to tantalize the tastebuds of any customer.
Some students said this is the advantage of Sandella’s, the new food establishment in the downstairs Sidepocket of the Union.
During the Christmas break, LSU Dining Union Director David Pratka worked closely with LSU Dining Director David Heidke, selecting Sandella’s to replace Pizza Hut.
“Since August 1997, we noticed a gradual decline in sales for the downstairs Pizza Hut,” Heidke said. “We explored many options before we finally selected Sandella’s.”
Pratka said after he received a random sales e mail from the company, he began to look more closely at it.
“What really sold me on them was that they had a sample kit,” he said. “We liked the product, and it was pretty easy to get into.”
Pratka said from sampling the product, he liked the variety it would bring to the Union.
“It’s something different,” he said. “I hope the product is speaking for itself.”
Sales figures for the new food establishment have surpassed numbers from 2000, Pratka said.
“I think [Sandella’s] will be very successful and evolve into a more substantial program and begin franchising,” Heidke said. “We got in on their ground level.”
The University made unsuccessful attempts to attract establishments such as Taco Bell, Blimpie and Subway.
The owners of these local establishments possess the territory surrounding their business in regard to further franchising.
Therefore, if the local owner does not want to franchise, then the national corporation will not install an additional branch.
For example, Heidke said Taco Bell did not agree to have LSU Dining running its establishment within the Union, thus the University reached an impasse in its negotiations.
“Sandella’s supplies the breads, sauces and recipes,” Heidke said. “LSU Dining provides everything else — the employees, ingredients and location.”
Most students said they had an optimistic opinion about the new food provider.
“I like this place; it seems more quality,” said Erin Newby, a communication disorders senior. “The food is more fresh. It’s a little more expensive, but you get a lot more for your money.”
Valerie Sloane, a graduate student in biochemistry, said she eats in Sandella’s more frequently than she ever ate at Pizza Hut.
“I don’t think they needed a Pizza Hut in the Union twice,” she said. “This is actually something convenient on campus that is good and healthy.”
However, some students said the place did not quite meet their expectations.
“To be honest, I thought the pizza was going to be a little better,” said Darnell Marrero, a marketing junior, after his first time eating Sandella’s. “The pizza is not worse, but it’s different. It’s not Pizza Hut, but I would come back.”
Employees who work in Sandella’s said they have seen an increase in customer patronage.
“Monday was awesome,” said Deborah Singleton, Sandella’s supervisor and former Pizza Hut supervisor. “We couldn’t see the floor because of the people in here.”
The only potential negative to losing Pizza Hut, in Heidke’s opinion, is that between the hours of 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. students will not be able to purchase Pizza Hut pizza within the Union.
Even though the Tiger Lair Pizza Hut closes at 8 p.m., he said customers can purchase Sandella’s pizza; the new establishment does not close earlier than its predecessor.
“Change is something we all have to do,” he said. “Somebody somewhere is not going to be happy. But, as long as the majority is satisfied, then we’re happy.”
Heidke said he would not support changes if he thought they would be ill-received.
“Our motivation is to increase satisfaction and customer patronage,” he said. “If we’re not doing that, then we’ve got a problem.”
Sandella’s accepts Paw Points, Tiger Express and other normal currency.