Table of Contents
Abstract ……………………………………………………………………………………………... 1
Executive Summary .…………………………………………………………………………........ 1
Introduction …………………………………………………………………………………………. 2
Proposed Tasks ……………………………………………………………………………………. 2
Schedule ……………………………………………………………………………………...…….. 4
Budget ………………………………………………………………………………………………. 4
Team Qualifications ……………………………………………………………………………….. 4
References ……………………………………………………………………………………........ 5
Survey Summary ………………………………………………………………………………...... 6
Appendix I ………………………………………………………………………………………….. 8
Submitted to: Dr. John Dever, Prof. Dawn Hayden
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Abstract
This document recommends additional food vendor(s) at Thomas Nelson Community
College based on the results of our research.
Upon acceptance of our proposal we have surveyed the TNCC community and premises
with a focus on adding the service of a food truck. We have found the faculty, students and
staff accepting of the idea. There are several different possible locations available for this
service.
Executive Summary
Our team composed a survey asking the Thomas Nelson community the following
questions:
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Are you satisfied with the current variety of food at TNCC?
Would you like another food option?
Are you happy with the food prices on campus?
Do you think a food truck would be a good addition to TNCC?
Out of the following choices, what type of food do you prefer?
The food choices included: American, Greek, Chinese, Mexican, Italian, and Other. Some
students suggested additional choices such as Caribbean or Indian food, Starbucks,
Smoothies, Soul food, and/or a salad bar.
The group’s research shows that the TNCC community is highly receptive to having more
food choices. A solution to this dilemma would be to introduce a food truck to the TNCC
campus.
A food truck is a mobile food service, which makes it ideal for areas that want something
good to eat, without modifying real estate. This option brings with it the possibility to
interchange the food selection with little effort. For example, Monday, one truck can park
and serve some delicious steak burritos and Jamaican jerk chicken tostadas. The next day
could be another truck with barbeque and brisket tacos. Our research shows that the
majority of the people interviewed would like American, and Mexican food introduced to the
campus; making these options ideal to meet their desires.
The survey results on pricing were very evenly split. Subway ships their meat and
vegetables in from corporate warehouses. Food trucks use fresh meat and vegetables
purchased locally, which results in you receiving a higher quality product for roughly the
same or slightly lower price.
In the event that future construction allows for another internal food supplier food trucks
could be cancelled without breaking contracts. Food service could be provided by trucks in
the event that Subway is unable to operate during construction.
An important relationship will be made with food truck vendors that should prove beneficial
for special events that may need catering. If several companies are actively servicing the
campus the school will have several options for food service both in catering and weekly
rotation.
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Introduction
Subway is the only on-campus food service provider. Vending machines can be categorized
as the only pseudo option. This does not leave the TNCC community with many food
options.
Subway is a popular restaurant for college campuses because of its healthy alternative to
typical fast food. Subway is even a favorite restaurant for some people. However, even with
Subway’s expanded menu, including pizza and salad, any patron would be challenged to
eat from the same menu daily. The result of this need for variety is decreased satisfaction,
lost time for students forced to eat off campus and a loss in revenue for TNCC. Moderation
is important.
The data demonstrates how widespread the craving for variety is throughout the TNCC
community. Provided are recommendations to enhance the food service selection. Some of
the more prominent problems we are faced with include:
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Is there a need for another option?
Limited amount of space.
Financial barriers.
Lack of community consensus on vendor(s).
Proposed Tasks
Task 1. Survey faculty, staff, and students on the current food variety.
A survey of the TNCC community was taken to establish data on current satisfaction,
demand for additional options, food pricing, and opinion on a food truck alternative. The
survey also included an area to list food preference by nationality. (Appendix I)
Task 2. Investigate the Thomas Nelson cafeteria and surrounding area for possible
locations for additional vendors.
Based on the current spatial requirements to host Subway, the A-Team has determined that
the cafeteria is not large enough to house another food vendor without structural
modifications. On the following page is a campus map circling the proposed parking areas.
The corner of Hastings Hall and the Wellness Center is a concrete lot where food trucks
could be parked (Location 2). This location will not disrupt the flow of traffic or impede
TNCC students or faculty. A second area between Wythe Hall and Griffin Hall is also a
prime location (Location 1). It is located within close proximity of the cafeteria which makes
it a very convenient location. The inset parking area would prove a safe place to have
additional foot traffic.
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Task 3. Introduce the idea of a food truck.
In the survey given to TNCC staff, students and faculty, the idea of a food truck was
introduced to gauge their responses. A few people had concerns about food safety and
hygiene standards on food trucks. Newport News and Hampton food trucks are legally
bound to conform to the same safety, hygiene, and inspection standards of local
restaurants. Out of 140 people, 68% favor the concept of a food truck. Many people were
extremely excited by the possibility of new food at TNCC. The survey also polled the
community on food preference by nationality. American food was the predominate choice;
however, one of the greatest strengths of a food truck is the impermanence of the truck
itself. Should quality or service not be on par with what Thomas Nelson considers right and
proper, they may be dismissed. The main driving factor of this research was to explore the
possibilities for variety. To this end, different food truck companies could be rotated to give
maximum variety. The concept of a food truck is not typically tied to national franchises,
meaning the money spent on a food truck stays in Hampton Roads, and is not dispersed
out of state via franchising fees.
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Task 4. Analyze the data and compose a list of food trucks in the area.
Our research of the community at Thomas Nelson Community College shows that, of those
interviewed:
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61% are not satisfied with the current food choices
84% would like another food option
32% are satisfied with current prices
30% are not satisfied with current prices
68% think a food truck would be a good addition
27% prefer American food
Seeing these results, we strongly recommend that food trucks be considered as a new food
option on campus. The references section, on page 5 of this recommendation, has a list of
websites that lead to vendors in Hampton Roads that may be available.
Schedule
Budget
The food truck industry is a rising market in America. There are few places to research
introducing them to community colleges. Up to this point, the research indicates that there is
no cost to hosting a food truck on campus. They supply their own station, transportation,
and all they need is permission to park and serve delicious food.
Team Qualifications
The A-Team is a group of 5 students at TNCC in Prof. Dawn Hayden’s technical writing
class. While they may be inexperienced in the ways of school administration, their input is
valuable because they each have their own, unique experiences to share.
Ben Gilman is a student at Thomas Nelson Community College with 8 years of field service
work, eating at fast food restaurants a minimum of five days per week.
Richard Domingo is a student at Thomas Nelson Community College. This is his first
semester here, and he’s already sick of Subway. It’s not his favorite restaurant to begin with
because he can’t wrap his head around a “fast food sandwich.” He would like there to be,
somewhere on campus, a place to get something delicious to eat, so he doesn’t have to
drive around in between classes.
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Kelvin White has been a student at Thomas Nelson Community College for 2 semesters.
He currently dines at fast food establishments several times a week strictly for the
convenience.
Stacia Tarver is a student at Thomas Nelson Community College. Her diet requires her to eat
frequent meals throughout the day. She came from a university that offered a buffet style meal
plan. To be at a college with only one food choice is torture. She either brings multiple meals
with her in the morning when she comes to school or she skips meals during the day; which
goes against her diet.
Greg Grose is a sophomore at Thomas Nelson Community College. He typically eats out
every day he has school because Subway was his choice of food for a semester, before it
got old.
References
Some food truck vendors with prices in Hampton Roads:
Melissa M. Stewart. Patrick Evans-Hylton. N.P. www.coastalvirginiamag.com. Tuesday,
March 19, 2013. Online. Dec. 10, 2013.
http://www.hamptonroadsmag.com/March-April-2013/Meals-On-Wheels/
A list of more food trucks available in Hampton Roads:
http://www.urbanspoon.com/t/35/21/Hampton-Roads/Food-Truck-restaurants
Food trucks in Hampton Roads with contact information:
Aimee Beltran. Hamptonroadsblog.com. September 24, 2013. Web. Dec. 10, 2013.
http://hamptonroadsdogblog.com/food-trucks-in-hampton-roads/
“We are actively looking for a new downtown Hampton location that will give us more
exposure to the public.” - STUFT - Not Your Average Street Food (truck)
https://www.facebook.com/stuftstreetfood
Hampton Campus Map. Thomas Nelson Community College. Feb. 2011. Web. Dec. 2013.
http://www.tncc.edu/documents/TNCC%20Hampton%20Campus%20Map.pdf
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Survey Summary
Are you satisfied with the current variety of food at TNCC?
Yes
19 14%
Maybe
36 26%
No
85 61%
Yes
117 84%
Would you like another food option?
Maybe 19
No
4
14%
3%
Are you happy with the food prices on campus?
6
Yes
45 32%
Maybe
53 38%
No
42 30%
Do you think a food truck would be a good addition to TNCC?
Yes
94 68%
Maybe
32 23%
No
13 9%
Out of the following choices, what type of food do you prefer?
American 81 27%
7
Greek
24 8%
Chinese
56 18%
Mexican
72 24%
Italian
50 16%
Other
22 7%
Appendix I
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