Food and Beverage Management

Allen & O'Hara's Director of Food & Beverage Operations oversees national operations serving 3.5 million meals per year and generating revenues in excess of $30 million. The director is responsible for the successful execution of management contracts for food and beverage accounts. Allen & O'Hara often manages both housing and food and beverage operations for clients. In such cases, an area or regional director assumes broader responsibility for the overall management account and the director of food and beverage operations works with him or her in a support capacity.

We currently manage food and beverage operations at four properties, Illini Tower, Granville Towers, University Towers, and the Robert Lewis Stevenson School, serving over one million meals last year.

Dining Options

Our own award winning signature program for student meal plans, Dine Anytime features an exciting self-serve format that offers unlimited seconds and continuous serving hours. Over 50 percent of the menu is prepared to order. The program nearly markets itself, and spotlights attractive concepts like The Salad Center, Hearthstone Entrees, Fireside Grill, Banhe Fusion, and Sweet Endings.

Working with national, regional, and local partners in food manufacturing, Allen & O'Hara offers familiar name brand items to students, giving them what they normally eat at home (and most prefer). Similarly, Allen & O'Hara's experience in commercial leasing and management provides clients with the expertise to attract, negotiate, and manage retail contracts with fast-food operators and other specialty services.

Retail Services

Expedient options to full-service programs satisfy students and sustain operational self-sufficiency. Allen & O'Hara works closely with universities in finding the right formula to fully meet all foodservice needs. Convenience stores offer a "grab and go" efficiency that accommodates students' busy schedules and supports administrators' needs for cost-effective services. Our wealth of experience in hotel management enables us to accomplish all of these goals.

Vending Services

Allen & O'Hara works closely with national soft drink distributors for carbonated and non-carbonated fountain beverages. The national account representative also serves as our point-person for organizing a beverage vending plan with the local bottler that best fits client and students needs. Allen & O'Hara also subcontracts with (and supervises their performance of) the best local food vending companies to provide snacks and cold food.

Catering Services

Allen & O'Hara offers outstanding, full-service catering capabilities to satisfy both casual and formal dining needs. Catering is often the key to enhancing food and beverage sales. Allen & O'Hara custom-designs a catering package of menus and services to fit each client's needs. Our management team has the necessary skills and training to ensure each program's success.