Luther College Announces Bon Appétit Management Company as New Dining Services Provider

Quality journalism needs your support to thrive. Donate and keep the facts flowing. DECORAH — Luther College President Brad Chamberlain is pleased to announce a new partnership with Bon Appétit Management Company, a renowned on-site restaurant company known for its commitment to culinary excellence and socially responsible practices. Beginning June 1, Bon Appétit will manage the day-to-day dining service operations on the Luther College campus for the next 10 years. "An outstanding dining experience is critical to supporting the mission of residential colleges. At Luther, dining is not just about food — it's about connection, community and culture," Chamberlain said. "This past year, we evaluated several options for our dining services partner, and I was pleased to recommend to the Board of Regents that Luther establish a partnership with Bon Appétit." Under the partnership, Bon Appétit will make significant investments in the cafeteria and other dining locations. Bon Appétit management team members will be on campus in the coming weeks to onboard staff. "We're appreciative of Bon Appétit's willingness to provide support to the current food service team working at Luther. It was very important to us that the people working here had opportunities to stay," said Patti Hetrick, vice president for finance and administration. Bon Appétit was recommended to the Board of Regents as the new dining services provider after a months-long evaluation process, which began with a request for proposals (RFP) in October 2024. Six proposals were received and evaluated, and finalists were selected in the spring. Along with campus administration, focus groups including representatives from the Luther student Food Council, Norse athletics, campus sustainability, advancement, campus ministries and student engagement participated in providing feedback in the selection process. Luther staff made visits to finalist campus locations to evaluate their operations. The Board of Regents approved the new contract at a special meeting on Thursday, April 10. Under the agreement, Bon Appétit will manage the Cafeteria, Oneota Market, Nordic Brew, Nordic Mart and Marty's inside the Dahl Centennial Union. The company will also oversee catering services for various campus events. Final design work is underway for renovations of current food and beverage service areas, with plans anticipated to become available in the coming weeks. Bon Appétit Management Company is celebrated for its chef-driven approach, with original menus crafted for each campus and meals prepared from scratch using fresh, authentic ingredients. This philosophy ensures that dishes are alive with flavor and nutrition, prepared in a socially responsible manner for the well-being of guests, communities and the environment. In the Midwest, Bon Appétit manages dining services at Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, St. Olaf College and Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota, along with Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota. Sodexo first joined Luther College as its food service provider in 2009. After the initial five-year contract, Luther renewed its partnership with Sodexo with a 10-year agreement. Luther and Sodexo extended their contract for one year to accommodate the RFP process. "We are grateful for Sodexo and their successful partnership with us since 2009," Chamberlain said. "We look forward to our new partnership with Bon Appétit and the impact they will have on the student experience at Luther." Knowledge is power! Stay empowered by subscribing to the free newsletter, packed with valuable insights, stories of local newsmakers and ideas to get your weekend started.