After being announced in July 2025, four new dining options at the University of Central Missouri are still in progress, with Sodexo officials noting that construction timelines and coordination with national brands have shaped the updated opening timeline.

  “At first I thought it was planned to be done by the end of last semester [Fall 2025], but they still haven’t said anything or opened,” said freshman Allie Soderblom.

  According to Sodexo’s UCM website, four new dining locations are listed as “coming soon” to campus: QDOBA, Dunkin’ Donuts, Erbert & Gerbert’s and Jimmy K’s Canteen. They will all open to the public in August, with the exception of Jimmy K’s Canteen, which will open during finals week of the spring 2026 semester, according to Lana Webb, General Manager of Sodexo. The new dining spaces were first announced in July 2025.

  According to Paul Day, Interim Director of Design and Construction, the deadline for completion has been ever-changing, to allow for the ebbs and flows of the construction process. 

  “At UCM, we are interconnected organizations with communication that flows frequently and consistently. Having outside organizational pieces can sometimes be a longer process than what we as a university are used to,” said Day.

 Besides the initial project launch in July 2025, neither Sodexo nor UCM have made any official statements or updates about when the new dining locations will be open to the public, at the time of press. .

  Demolition work is wrapping up across all four project sites, with equipment deliveries for the kitchens scheduled. There is one general contractor that is overseeing all four projects. According to Day, the most time-consuming part of the projects has been finalizing the contracts and collaborating with the dining brands for their specific requirements. 

  “Each brand has its own equipment, signage and layout standards. We coordinate between the brands and Facilities Planning to make sure everything is done correctly,” said Webb.

  The ongoing coordination between Sodexo, national brands and UCM has shaped the project timeline, yet students say the lack of public information has left them unsure of what to expect.

  “I feel like they should have communicated something to the students, considering they have these places closed off or beginning the construction. I thought that they were supposed to open this semester, but clearly, with the places still being closed off, it won’t be finished by the end of the semester,” said Jonathan McAuley, sophomore studying design and drafting. 

  The new dining options were selected after student research and brand evaluations, with Sodexo aiming to bring a mix of familiar and new choices to campus. 

  “QDOBA and Erbert & Gerbert’s are both new to UCM and the community, which is very exciting. We want to provide options students don’t currently have,” said Webb.

  Due to university requirements regarding meal plans, many students rely on on-campus dining. As of now, there are two dining halls, the food pantry, and seven other dining options. Once completed, the new dining spaces will offer expanded hours, fresh menu options, and additional study-friendly locations.