Union restaurants back on track

Dining Services Director David Galbraith said Union restaurant sales have decreased an additional 4 percent in the two weeks since the initial drop as McDonald's opened on Oct. 31.

"I can't tell if that's McDonald's or if that's natural," Galbraith said of the 4 percent drop. "We're pretty much right on budget as far as sales go."

According to Galbraith, Union-operated restaurants normally experience a sales decrease during the course of a semester.

He added there will be no change in operating hours at Union restaurants as a direct result of the new McDonald's.

Previously, Galbraith feared administrators would have been forced to cut staff and hours, because students were spending more at McDonald's, a privately-owned franchise and less at Union-operated eateries.

Some Union-operated eateries will cut back Friday hours of operation during spring semester, but Galbraith said McDonald's was not a factor in that decision.

Hello Deli will close at 3:30 p.m. on Fridays, an hour earlier than it closes now. Taco Bell will close at 3 p.m. on Fridays - six hours earlier than its present closing time, Galbraith said.

Still, he added these cuts were being made because spring semester historically has low afternoon sales. He said the hours may be extended again in fall 1998.

Galbraith said he's also noticed a decrease in the number of students patronizing McDonald's and he observed that students' initial excitement over the new restaurant has faded.

"The novelty seems to have worn off," he said.