Corporate

Fargo, North Dakota

Changes in food service delivery models, and necessary infrastructure improvements brought about the implementation of a significant food service upgrade for the BCBS Kitchen in 2005. Plumbing, both supply and waste were deteriorating and causing frequent maintenance calls. Kitchen equipment, which had served over 25 years, was in need of replacement. Finishes, including ceramic tile flooring and, walls and ceilings were no longer serviceable.

Further, BCBS and their food service provider, desired to make changes to the food prep and service lines to improve productivity, menu variety, and customer convenience.

The primary prep kitchen maintained it recently-updated hood, but remodeled the balance of the kitchen. New salad prep areas and cooler, new bakery, new primary bulk-food prep, new dishwashing area, and all new finishes were designed and installed. Some food prep was moved to new service areas providing adjacency to the customers, including an entirely new pizza/pasta line and a grill line. New hot food service line, salad bar, beverage lines and check-out stands were also installed.

The project was completed over the course of 4 months, with the food service remaining in operation (albeit with some menu limitations) throughout the remodeling through a phased construction strategy.