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Beverages

“QWENCH”-ING

THIRST

at USC

new beverage concept, QWENCH juice
bar, recently joined the dining options
A available to the students, staff and visitors
to the Health and Science Center Campus at
the University of Southern California in Los
Angeles.
The local brand replaces a breakfast concept
that didn’t perform up to expectations. Kris
Klinger, assistant vice president of retail opera-
tions for USC Hospitality, felt that a brand with
healthier options would do well considering the
nearby hospitals, medical centers, administra-
tive offices and student housing. “We felt that
QWENCH was a much healthier option with
the juice and Acai bowls and smoothies. The
other place had bagels and stuff like that. We
felt that it was a healthy change,
plus being the hospital campus,
healthier options would fit.”
Klinger was confident that thing, they have really healthy
the store, located on the lobby snacks and people really enjoy the
level of the Zilkha Neurogenetic food that they offer. Of course,
Institute near the corner of San it is not just the smoothies and
Pablo Street and Eastlake Avenue, the juices. They have different
would succeed. “The vision at wraps and Panini, that really do
QWENCH juice bar is simple,” sell well, as well.”
he said. “It reflects a perfect The store also offers catering,
balance of genuine health and and was recently added to the
incredible taste via a diverse se- online ordering partnership the
lection of raw, squeezed juices, school has with Tapingo.
nutrient-dense smoothie blends, The partnership with
infused with superfoods (not QWENCH is one of many that
powders or concentrates) and USC Hospitality has with local
handmade organic Brazilian super fruit Acai bowls. Freshly brands. “I see a lot of value in partnering with local brands
made Greek Yogurt Bowls, topped with powerful superfoods and helping them connect with our community, and our com-
round out the innovative approach to today’s modern juice bar.” munity connect with the local community,” said Klinger. “I
The community has taken to it. “Everyone really is enjoying find a lot of value with brands and concepts that resonate with
it,” said Klinger. “The Health and Science Center campus is a my student population that also represent the local flavors and
block or so from it. It is closer to LAC [Los Angeles County] choices. The majority of my students don’t come from Southern
+USC Medical Center. We get a lot of staff and faculty and California anymore. We have a very diverse mix and we are
hospital visitors who go there. Students go there as well because the second largest international population of any university
it is between the dorms and the education buildings there.” next to NYU. We are looking for ways to provide our students
He continued, “The students really do appreciate it and with something that represents the local offerings when we
have taken well to it. The juices are selling well. The other can. That is why we chose to go with them.” —OCH

20 | MAY 2017 ON-CAMPUS HOSPITALITY