Youngstown State University selects new campus dining partner, bringing new espresso bars
Youngstown State University selected a new campus food services provider who announced the current university food service employees can keep their jobs.
In March, YSU announced the contract with Chartwells Catering was ending and not being renewed.
Effective May 5, Warren’s AVI Fresh will be the new culinary and hospitality services partner on campus for YSU.
They’re the largest privately held and family-owned-and-operated food and hospitality services provider in the nation.
Anthony Payiavlas, the president and CEO of AVI Fresh, said the company is looking forward to partnering with the university for exceptional dining experiences.
“This homegrown partnership will reflect our shared commitment to excellence and innovation, creating a vibrant culinary program that will enhance student life while supporting the overall growth and success of our Valley and beyond,” Payiavlas said.
AVI Fresh offered current Chartwells employees with their same or comparable positions working under the new company.
AVI will also recognize and honor these employees’ prior years of working at YSU.
“We are excited to partner with AVI Fresh, a company deeply rooted in the Mahoning Valley that shares our commitment to excellence and innovation,” President Bill Johnson said.
AVI bringing Nova Coffee Co. espresso to YSU
In addition to picking up the contract with YSU for campus-wide dining, AVI Fresh is collaborating with Warren’s Nova Coffee Co. and owner John Ramsey.
Ramsey and Payiavlas are opening new retail cafes with espresso bars in Cushwa Hall, Williamson Hall and Maag Library.
The new cafes will feature fresh-to-go meals, cold beverage options and locally-sourced, craft roasted coffees from Nova Coffee Co..
Nova is a family-owned business in historic downtown Warren.
AVI Fresh will also be bringing updates to the Meshel Hall Bridge by adding a new self-service convenience market and food service lockers for Grubhub deliveries.
The food lockers are temperature-controlled and secure, aimed to help students and faculty pick up meals ordered from other campus retail restaurants at a location convenient for them.
At Christman Dining Commons, AVI Fresh will be adding house-roasted deli, plant-based cuisines, allergen-free selections and featured items focusing on athletic performance on the menu.
“This partnership represents a new era for YSU, where our leadership in creating exceptional campus experiences is further exemplified through expanded dining offerings and a deep commitment to meeting the needs of our students,” Johnson said.
Learn more about Nova Coffee Co. and AVI Fresh online.
