Some delicious fast food options are hopefully coming to a campus near you! Graphic by Anna Gritzenbach. 

SAMUEL DOSTER | OPINION COLUMNIST | sdoster@butler.edu 

Everyone loves bagels, chicken, burgers and Philly cheese steaks for dinner, right? But imagine being able to walk down campus and have the luxury of a fast food chain available within walking distance of your dorm, class or other locations. Butler needs to add a fast food component to our dining plans, allowing students to access their favorite foods and satisfy their cravings. 

Most college campuses I have visited have been blessed with a fast food option for their students. Whether that be Chick-fil-A, Panera or Dunkin’ Donuts, which are just a few of the many chains that offer campus restaurants. It gives students the chance to enjoy some of their preferred brands while staying on campus and dining with their friends. 

Having access to these on-campus favorites would gain traction if Butler students could use their meal plans at their favorite locations. 

Being a full-time student means having limited time and accessibility to eat at some of your favorite food chains, but having new options on campus would allow students to have access to a broader range of food options.

One key thing to note is that Butler could offer fast food options with healthy choices. Places like Panera and Chick-fil-A could also encourage healthy eating, while providing a quick and easy way to get food on the go.

Leana Kruska, an adjunct professor of communication and media studies, shared her thoughts on whether Butler adding a fast food element to campus would be successful. 

“You know, I think everyone just likes more options,” Kruska said. “Personally, I love Panera or something like that,” Kruska said. “That when I’m on the road, it’s consistent,” Kruska said. “I know I can get a salad. I know I can get vegetables. But then also like, I love bread, so I’m going to have bread.” 

At Butler, we have one chain on campus: Starbucks. Given the significant volume of business Starbucks conducts daily, this should be taken into consideration when discussing the success of on-campus fast food. Every time I walk into the campus bookstore, there’s a line so long you’d think we’re waiting for a rollercoaster at an amusement park. Given that Starbucks performs well among Butler students and faculty, adding more food options to campus could significantly enhance the overall experience for all. 

Professor Bob Schultz, a lecturer in strategic communication, discusses potential additions to the Butler meal plan. 

“I would love to see Chatham Tap  — to start with —  be on the Butler meal plan,” Schultz said. “You go over there in the middle of the afternoon, and there’s nobody there. Some Butler students would love to meet there.” 

Butler could create a trial-and-error approach with Chatham and see how the students enjoy being included in the meal plan. If it does well, the student body enjoys it, and it proves financially successful for Chatham, then maybe we can start seeing some popular food chains at Butler. 

According to a New York Times article about fast food on campus, a study showed that around 70% of students ate fast food at least once a day. Implementing your favorite chains would not only appeal to students, but also to the companies. If fast food on college campuses has such great success, it’s a win-win for everyone. 

But not every restaurant that falls under the category of fast food or on-the-go dining has to be unhealthy. Quick-service food can often get a bad rap, so implementing restaurants that offer healthy options, such as salads and grilled food, can be beneficial. This approach also provides those delicious fried food cravings and the good carbs everyone loves. 

First-year health sciences major Ethan Blank spoke about whether Butler should offer a fast food option as part of our dining plan. 

“I think that would be a good idea,” Blank said. “I would find myself going to it often [maybe for] late-night food. I think it would be a good investment, and something I would go to.” 

While some fast food may not always have the most healthy options, it’s a safe bet that restaurants that offer a wide variety of food would be beloved on campus. Getting fast food options on campus would be no easy task, but after consulting Butler faculty and students, it appears the idea was well-received.