Chartwells University Dining Services is — in the words of famous chef Emeril Lagasse — “kicking it up a notch” on campus.

The company, which won our dining services contract last July, recently began renovating a residence hall to include a Sbarro’s pizzeria and an Outtakes convenience store to sell pre-made sandwiches, salads and other foods.

The project got under way last week in what was previously the lobby area of McCord Hall, located in Capital Quad at the southwestern corner of campus.

“We selected the location because that residence hall complex is farthest away from the university’s existing dining options,” says John Ruppert, resident district manager.

To help students currently living in the hall adjust to the construction, all work is being restricted to the hours between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., and all major demolition is scheduled to take place during spring break next week.

The project is expected to be completed by May and will cost an estimated $500,000. It's one of approximately $3.5 million worth of dining service improvement projects Chartwells has guaranteed the university in its five-year contract. Others are:

* A $1.1 million renovation of the cafeteria — or main resident dining facility — and faculty dining room in the Roaden University Center, which could begin as early as April.

“The resident dining facility is our next priority because it generally services the greatest volume of customers on campus,” Ruppert says. “We want renovations on it to be completed when students come back to campus for the fall semester in August.”

Chartwells’ plan is to replace the current cafeteria-style arrangement with a series of different food bars or stations, each of which would offer a specific style of cuisine, such as Mexican or Italian.

* A $1.1 million renovation of Swoops Grill expanding the current Sbarro’s and replacing Taco Bell and Blimpie’s Subs with a Wendy’s and Chartwells’ signature Mondo Subs, featuring a warmed and seasoned potato chip of the day.

“We plan to phase in the changes to both the resident dining facility and Swoops Grill in stages in order to minimize the need to shut down the entire operation of either,” Ruppert says.

* Renovations totaling $50,000 each to the Volpe Library, where a coffee shop is planned, and the Fitness Center, where a juice bar will be added.

* And a $200,000 renovation updating the Executive Suite in the Roaden University Center which is just being completed.