Operated by Metz & Associates, Ltd., Gannon’s dining management provider, the InterMetzo Café is percolating popularity among students and others on campus craving specialty coffee drinks, such as espressos, cappuccinos, lattes and more. Those preferring a cool drink to quench their thirst will find a complete line of smoothies.
“The InterMetzo Café has become a popular stop for students and faculty members who would like to grab a quick meal without having to go to Doc’s Landing or our main cafeteria in Beyer Hall,” said Doug Zimmerman, director of Student Living at Gannon University. “The Café has also taken pressure off Doc’s Landing in serving students during peak times.”“The InterMetzo Café, which has seen its sales double since the upscale café concept was introduced, is definitely a success,” said Mark Carone, district manager, Metz & Associates, Ltd. “We’ve even extended the hours of the Café at the request of the University to better accommodate the needs and time schedule of the students.”
The menu at InterMetzo features an extensive selection of coffee drinks, home baked pastries and desserts, upscale sandwiches, wraps & paninis and distinctive salads. Students on the go can grab a healthy and satisfying meal and also satisfy their sweet tooth with an apple scone, pear caramel brownie or any number of freshly made, mouthwatering baked goods.A state-of-the art kiosk that makes the most of the space available, the InterMetzo Café has an ambiance that is welcoming, visually appealing and designed for convenience. A bold color combination of orange and honey mustard evokes the warmth of a coffeehouse while brushed metal accents and glass provides a truly contemporary look.
“Today’s students want and expect more,” Carone said. “Many of them grew up with and anticipate high quality dining. They are also very brand conscious. We continually focus on meeting the needs of the students we serve and providing them with that upscale experience they desire.”“Because students are able to use their dining flex dollars off campus at places such as Starbucks, McDonald’s and Subway to name a few, we truly are competing to keep them interested in dining on campus,” Carone added.
Located in the suburbs of Erie, Pennsylvania, Gannon is a private, co-educational Catholic, comprehensive university offering associate, bachelor, master and doctoral degrees, as well as certificates. Over 3,500 students attend Gannon, which is consistently ranked among the top 50 colleges and universities in the northern sector of the United States in the U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges.”“Gannon is unique in that we are an urban university,” Zimmerman said. “We are very close to the community, and our dining hall is always open to local residents who wish to dine with us.”
After its million dollar renovation in 2004, which incorporated an elegant cook- to-order scatter system that included nine different dining concepts, Beyer Dining Hall experienced a more than doubling of student meal plan sales and increased interest among locals who enjoyed the new, upscale lunch offerings.“In addition to the increased interest in the Dining Hall by our student body after the renovations, which still continues to this day, our freshman classes keep getting larger, giving us a real need for more dining options and added space,” Zimmerman said. “Our relationship with the Metz & Associates team has been great. They have been very responsive and accommodating to our needs. They work with us to introduce new dining options and creatively work to add dining space for our students.”
While InterMetzo is helping to ease the mealtime crowds, the Metz team at Gannon University has also introduced a new Bordertown concept and a deli in Gannon’s Knight’s Cove, a space previously utilized as a C Store. Featuring Mexican & Southwest cuisine at its finest, Bordertown serves up an extensive selection of enchiladas, quesadillas, tacos, burritos, fajitas, Mexican salads and more, complete with all of the traditional sides and fixings, such as refried beans, fresh vegetables, guacamole, Mexican rice and fresh salsa.The Knight’s Cove deli is perfect for students wishing to grab a made-to-order sandwich or salad. The deli utilizes crisp, fresh vegetables, lean meats and tasty fillings to prepare the finest deli options. They also serve up a selection of freshly baked goods and beverages.
The Knight’s Cove was newly renovated for its present use, complete with new walls, ceiling, décor and equipment, as well as Corian counters and wood cabinetry. There is also plenty of seating in the outer areas for students. The Knight’s Cove also helped to alleviate the pressure at Doc’s Landing and the Dining Hall in handling the flow of students during the busiest times.“We’re seeing the Knight’s Cove grow in popularity among students as a dining option,” said Pete Manarelli, Metz & Associates general manager at Gannon University. “They love the fact that they can use this area as a meal equivalency for lunch or dinner.”
Manarelli said that Metz & Associates works to insure that dining at the University is a unique and satisfying experience. “We cater to the most diversified eating preferences of students, offering a full selection of vegan, vegetarian and highly nutritious entrées.”The Metz team also tries to make it easy for students to choose healthy options, even when on the run. Today’s students are very health conscious and are looking for information that will help them make better choices. To assist the students with healthier eating, the Metz staff now labels foods in the dining room with information such as low calorie, low sodium and low carb. They also offer an extensive line of healthy selections, including butter and oil free stir frys, freshly carved turkey and other lean meats, fish and poultry, and vegetarian entrées at Bravo, the display station in Beyer Dining Hall. In addition, fresh, vegetable filled salads and sandwiches are available in the deli, café, and at the salad bar.
“Everything we’ve implemented at Gannon has been with students’ needs in mind – for their convenience,” Manarelli said. “Adding additional dining options has made it easier for students to grab a healthy bite while dealing with a hectic schedule. As culinary trends and student needs evolve, Metz & Associates will continue to adapt to meet those changing needs.”