Sodexo and University of Northern Colorado Unveil $5.5 Million Dining Transformation

Major investment reimagines Holmes Dining Hall with modern, student-centered spaces, expanded culinary experiences and innovative design

GREELEY, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sodexo, a leading provider of high-quality food and facilities management solutions, and the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) have unveiled the $5.5 million transformation of Holmes Dining Hall, introducing Sodexo’s flagship One & All dining experience to the university. Sodexo and UNC celebrated the opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday, Aug. 24, marking a major milestone in their continued partnership and a new chapter for campus dining.

The two-year project represents a significant investment by Sodexo to create a more modern, student-centered dining destination designed around how students eat, study, socialize and connect. The renovated Holmes Dining Hall combines expanded culinary offerings with flexible gathering spaces, updated technology and signature One & All design elements.

“We didn’t set out to simply renovate a dining hall; we set out to rethink what a dining hall can be,” said Meagan Johnson, resident district manager, University of Northern Colorado. “Holmes is now a place where food is just the beginning. It is a space where students can grab a meal, cook, study, recharge, meet up with friends or find a quiet moment between classes. By giving students different ways to gather, connect and feel at home, Holmes has become more than a dining destination; it has become a place of belonging and a true part of the student experience.”

At the heart of the transformation are signature One & All spaces designed to support the many ways students use a dining hall throughout the day. The Library provides a quieter environment for studying or reflection, while the All-Day Dinette incorporates a student cooking area that gives students an opportunity to engage directly with food. Enhanced music and lighting accents, flexible seating and updated culinary stations further transform the dining hall into a multipurpose campus destination.

Additionally, the refreshed culinary program offers a broader range of choices, including global cuisine, comfort food favorites like pizza and pasta, health-focused selections and gluten-free options, with customizable offerings designed to meet a variety of student preferences.

The response from the campus community was immediate. Approximately 1,000 meals were served during lunch on opening day, nearly 300 more than a typical lunch period. Faculty and staff were also invited to experience the new dining destination with a complimentary meal during the celebration.

“This project shows what’s possible when a university and its dining partner are willing to think beyond the traditional dining hall,” said Dr. Jenna Finley, Associate Vice President of Student Affairs, University of Northern Colorado. “Sodexo listened to how our students actually use these spaces and helped us turn that insight into a dining experience that is flexible, vibrant and built for real campus life. Holmes is no longer simply somewhere students go to eat, it’s a place to study, create, connect and make themselves at home.”

The completion of Holmes Dining Hall underscores Sodexo’s continued commitment to investing in its university partnerships and creating dining experiences that evolve alongside the needs of today’s students. This flagship One & All experience brings Sodexo’s approach to campus dining to life through a combination of culinary innovation, hospitality and intentional design, while building on its longstanding relationship with UNC and shared investment in creating campus environments that support student success and well-being.

To learn more about Sodexo, visit us.sodexo.com.

About Sodexo North America

Sodexo North America is a division of Sodexo Group, a global leader in food and services shaping better everyday experiences at every moment in life: work, heal, learn and play. Operating in all 50 U.S. states, Canada, Puerto Rico and Guam, Sodexo North America is committed to meeting the challenges of everyday life with a dual goal: to improve the quality of life of our employees and those we serve, and to contribute to the economic, social and environmental progress in the communities where we operate. Founded in Marseille in 1966 by Pierre Bellon, Sodexo Group stands out for its independence, its founding family shareholding and its responsible business model. Sodexo is included in the CAC Next 20, CAC SBT 1.5, FTSE 4 Good and DJSI indices.