Press Release

Future-proofed multi-cultural beverage concepts expand across higher-ed campuses

Increased globalization of food culture is transforming campus dining. College, universities and their food service partners are launching specialty drink concepts across higher-ed campuses in the US. Many are now leveraging a data-backed, tech-enabled beverage program to serve up always-on-trend drinks at the push of a button.

Photo: Botrista Inc.

September 17, 2024

With increased globalization of food culture, many university students have had unprecedented access to diverse cuisine and flavors. According to The Evolution of Campus Dining Trends Report, Gen Z has claimed themselves as the ‘foodie’ generation, with over half the population discovering and sharing foods through social media. The impact of this foodie mentality on campus dining is significant.

Colleges and universities across the US have launched on-campuses specialty drink concepts to serve the demand for international flavors, customizable menu items, and the ever-popular snack beverage craving.While boba, smoothie, and cold coffee concepts have been making their way across higher ed campuses in the US for quite some time, student satisfaction and reviews have varied greatly. The same can be said for profitability of these specialty beverage concepts, many of which have been short lived.

On-campus boba service has also presented operational challenges. By the time operational complexities are addressed, drink choices are likely to have evolved. This has made on-campus service of trendy drinks a constantly shifting target for higher-ed food service planners.

Innovative campus food service leaders are getting smarter about specialty beverage service. Colleges, universities, and their food service provider partners are now leveraging Botrista, a data-backed, tech-enabled beverage program created by an ex-Tesla robotics engineer. Sean Hsu developed proprietary technology capable of dispensing real ingredients, including quality purées from native and exotic fruits and natural sweeteners, like honey. Botrista’s automated beverage station has become a plug-n-play solution for service of Boba Milk Teas, New BobaChillers™ and even frozen treats. At a touch of a button, food service team members can select and serve specialty drinks that have been curated, tested and certified by professional beverage R&D teams. Prep time is around 20 seconds, making service simple and consistent. Botrista’s automated cleaning systems also serve to simplify the food service staff’s job.

(Learn how Lamar Community College President is partnering with Sodexo to bring Botrista-powered boba experiences to new dining locations on campus)

Because the drink station can dispense a wide range of globally sourced ingredients, like fruit purées, milk alternatives, teas, and natural sweeteners, like honey, students and staff have been quick to call out the freshness and quality of the specialty drinks. More students buying into the opportunity to make mid-meal snack beverage choices. Students and staff are empowered to select drinks from trendy categories, drink bases, exciting flavor varieties, and toppings, giving them control over nutrition choices, texture, taste and self-expression.

In fact, in partnership with Botrista, colleges and universities are capturing more traffic to on-campus drink shops, especially during the afternoon daypart. Botrista’s program has driven 60% of business during this daypart. This is not just about food and beverage revenue potential to colleges and universities. According to a study by the National Association of College & University Food Services (NACUFS), 80% of students consider the quality and variety of campus dining options when deciding which college to attend. Dining services play a significant role in the decision to remain at a higher-education institution according to 54% of students.

College food service leaders say the secret ingredient is the ability to future-proof beverage service. As trends shift, drink menus are updated to capture the evolving cravings. Whether there is a strong preference for a trendy new ingredient or growing popularity of a particular drink category, Botrista’s cloud-based library of data-backed, professionally curated drink recipes is always being updated to capture the trend. Each of these specialty drinks can be curated in the same small footprint, by the same automated drink station and with the same reliance on Botrista’s supply chain of quality ingredients sourced from around the globe.

Until now, campus and food service directors have struggled to keep pace by making data-informed drink menu updates. Many have said it would take an entire village of data scientists, automation engineers, professional beverage mixologists, and unattainable beverage service staff to power the type of beverage programs Botrista is enabling.

Not only are colleges and food service leaders embracing the use of automation and robotics in campus cafes, studies show that 98% of students appreciate this type of innovation in college dining halls.

Access the Evolution of College Dining Trends Report for data and trends analysis.

Discover Botrista’s campus beverage programs.

AboutBotrista
Botrista is a comprehensive beverage platform crafting data-backed, on-trend beverage programs for universities, corporate workplaces, and amusement parks. Specialty beverages by Botrista feature globally sourced ingredients that are crafted by nature and perfected by innovation. Drinks are freshly blended by Botrista’s beverage station in seconds at the touch of a button, making meaningful beverage innovation accessible and executable for any university food service team.

Sources:
https://www.insidehighered.com/news/student-success/college-experience/2023/11/03/survey-getting-more-college-students-involved
https://www.restaurant-hospitality.com/consumer-trends/trend-watch-90-of-college-students-eat-off-campus-once-a-week
https://www.aramark.com/content/dam/aramark/en/industries/education/higher-education/Great%20Hospitality%20%20is%20Great%20Business%20Whitepaper.pdf
https://www.starship.xyz/press_releases/national-study-of-more-than-7000-college-students-shows-delivery-robots-help-students-feel-safer-skip-fewer-meals-and-improve-their-mental-health