OU regents approve Raising Cane's as new Adams Center restaurant

Burger King is out and Raising Cane’s is in as Adams Center’s fast-food option after the OU Board of Regents approved the change Tuesday in Ardmore.

The regents voted to award the university’s food-service contract to Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers during their meeting, university spokesman Michael Nash said.

“Raising Cane’s was an overwhelming choice for student leaders and Housing and Food Services during the bid process,” Nash said. “[The vendors] also presented a competitive financial offer that included renovation of the dining area.”

The chicken-finger restaurant will be open by the fall semester, but it will not be ready before freshman move-in. Freshman begin moving in Aug. 9, said Matt Roberts, OU Housing and Food Services purchasing director.

Burger King’s 15-year run in Adams Center will come to an end when its contract expires June 30, Roberts said.

Nine restaurants competed to occupy the Adams Center food venue, and H&F narrowed the decision down to three finalists — Denny’s, Burger King and Raising Cane’s, Roberts said.

Vendors from the finalists gave a one-hour presentation to H&F the Housing Center Student Association at Couch Restaurants, and both groups provided input to which vendor seemed most responsive to student needs, he said.

The final selection process included a meeting, a financial proposal and an evaluation where officials decided Raising Cane’s was the best choice, he said.

Meal plans will be handled the same way as they were with Burger King — accepting exchanges and points like other on-campus restaurants, said Shawn Henry, H&F general manager of retail operations.

Specific meal combinations at Raising Cane’s will work with meal exchanges and the remaining can be paid with meal points, if necessary, Henry said.

Burger King was the restaurant were the majority of freshman meal exchanges were used, with 85 to 90 percent of its revenue coming from exchanges, Roberts said. University officials hope that number will rise with the addition of Raising Cane’s.

The restaurant has exciting plans and will be involved with campus life, he said.

“It’s always exciting to see a new venue open on campus,” he said. “We have high hopes. Raising Cane’s has been a long-time supporter of the university in a variety of facets, and we are looking forward to seeing that continue.”

Kendra Whitman

Kendra is a former staff member of The Oklahoma Daily who worked as Campus Reporter.