Students' Perceptions of Their Student-Operated Restaurant Experience: A Qualitative Study

As there is a rapid increase in the consumption of food outside the home, it is essential that future foodservice managers are well prepared for their critical role in menu creation and nutrition care planning in a variety of foodservice establishments. Student-operated restaurants (SORs) are one method of experiential learning used to educate future foodservice managers. This study aimed to explore the students' perceptions of their SOR experience and the extent to which nutrition concepts were incorporated in their program. This is a research area that has not been explored previously. For this study, a total of eighteen students from four universities were recruited via email to participate in interviews. Results from the qualitative thematic analysis of interview data revealed the following three overarching themes related to students' SOR experience: (1) Interpersonal Relationships and Mentoring, (2) Assessment of Immediate Experience, and (3) Moving Forward, Added Value, and Growth. Regarding nutrition, while some students felt that nutrition principles were effectively addressed during their SOR experience, other students acknowledged a lack of nutritional emphasis in their SOR and expressed a desire for a greater application of the nutritional principles learned in other classes. The SOR experience described by students was rich as they developed a variety of relationships and skills.