Quiznos and sushi bar open in Trabant

10:54 a.m., Sept. 2, 2005--For those who like the taste of a toasted sandwich or savor a little seafood in their daily dining routine, there are two new eating options in the Trabant University Center Food Court.

Quiznos, which is headquartered in Boulder, Colo., features a variety of toasted sandwiches and other menus items on special breads garnished with signature sauces.

Konomi, operated by certified sushi chef Joseph Yin, offers light Japanese fare, including sushi, hot noodles and rice bowls, steamed rice wrapped with seaweed and the popular avocado, cucumber and imitation crabmeat California rolls.

Chris Hack, who oversees the food court operations in the Trabant University Center, spent two weeks this summer at the Quiznos training center in Colorado.

“The sessions I attended included classroom training, with emphasis on leadership skills, safety, sanitation and Quiznos’ history and culture,” Hack said. “The company is serious about its product and wants to make sure it is served in a professional manner in a clean and sanitary environment.”

Training for Dining Services staff who are preparing the items on the Quiznos menu at UD included a three-hour video presentation, plus hands-on training with a focus on setting up a work station and training staff in how to best communicate with customers.

Jennifer Fyffe, supervisor of the YouDee Shop in the Trabant University Center, said she likes the idea of having some new dining options in a convenient location.

“I’m familiar with Quiznos, and their sandwiches are very tasty and healthy,” Fyffe said. “I also like the idea that they will be offering some vegetarian and vegan items on the menu.”

Konomi manager Yin said he hopes students and members of the UD community will try the light sushi fare that has grown in popularity in the last decade.

“When we started out in Raleigh, N.C., we were the only sushi restaurant in the city,” Yin said. “Now, there are more than 20 such places in that city and we are doing three times the business we did when we started.”

Hack said that the new Quiznos and Konomi venues are part of a response to the online Dining Services survey conducted last spring.

“Our goal is to give students a variety of options and to exceed their expectations,” Hack said. “We want to add value to the UD dining experience, and we feel that these new stores will help us do that.”

The Konomi name was conceived of and the logo designed by Barbara Stein, an art director in the Office of Public Relations.

Article by Jerry Rhodes
Photo by Kathy F. Atkinson

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