--- title: "Modern Market Eatery to Expand Scratch-Made Food Concept Across University Campus Markets" url: https://burnaze.com/article/f7e59dad-b790-4207-8433-484f36f60644 source: "Franchising.com" original_url: https://www.franchising.com/news/20210629_modern_market_eatery_to_expand_scratchmade_food_concept_across_university_c.html category: "Restaurants" industry: "Restaurants" topics: ["Development & multi-unit"] published: 2021-06-29T12:00:00.000Z modified: 2026-11-01T02:28:11.828Z image: https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1555396273-367ea4eb4db5?w=1600&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop --- # Modern Market Eatery to Expand Scratch-Made Food Concept Across University Campus Markets **TL;DR:** Modern Market Eatery is expanding its scratch-made food concept across university campus markets, following recent success at Notre Dame University's Duncan Student Center. The brand has renewed its licensing agreement with Notre Dame for another five years and plans to partner with more universities and non-traditional license partners. *originally published in Franchising.com on 2021-06-29. [Read the original](https://www.franchising.com/news/20210629_modern_market_eatery_to_expand_scratchmade_food_concept_across_university_c.html).* ## Story The affordable price point coupled with farm-fresh, quality food was an instant success with students, staff and D1 athletes alike, ultimately paving the way for an enduring growth strategy in the company’s nationwide expansion plans in non-traditional venues. In January of 2018, the brand took a strategic approach to its first university location as it crafted a specific menu with students and staff in mind, featuring healthy and sustainable, yet approachable food options—all customizable to meet taste and dietary needs. Seeing substantial growth during the pandemic as the strongest, most popular food concept at the university, Notre Dame has renewed their licensing agreement with Modern Market for another five years. As part of the agreement, the university plans to implement some efficiency improvements and updated brand elements in time for the start of the 2021 fall semester. “While there is no shortage in takeout food, we noticed there is a shortage of clean, better-for-you food on college campuses,” shares McColgan. “We worked with Notre Dame to streamline our menu for ease of execution and to tailor it to college students. We also have a flexible footprint that enables us to scale up or down depending on the square footage, volumes and needs of our license partners.” Modern Market is one of three concepts located in the Duncan Center. During the pandemic, many dining concepts were closed even though there were still students on campus, but Modern Market remained open and saw a 34% jump in sales year-over-year. Included in their meal plans, students were able to place digital orders on their phone and safely pick up their food contact-free. “Modern Market has become a highly successful and tasty addition to the retail offerings on campus,” said Richard Jacobs, Assistant Director of Retail at Notre Dame. “Our students visit Modern Market multiple times each week because of the variety of fresh and creative menu options that keep them coming back.” Modern Market was co-founded by Anthony Pigliacampo and Rob McColgan in 2009, who both had the foresight that faster food can and should be better food. It has since grown from its flagship location in Boulder, Colorado to a nationwide franchise with nearly 30 locations. The brand’s nutritious and delicious food has long been enjoyed by guests in a variety of markets while capturing a spot on this year’s Fast Casual’s “Top 100 Movers & Shakers” for the seventh year in a row. As part of their campus expansion plans, Modern Market is looking to partner with more universities and other non-traditional license partners to bring fresh and healthy menu items to students. For more information on franchising opportunities, interested franchise candidates and license partners should visit Faster food can be better food. That idea led to the creation of Modern Market Eatery in Boulder, Colo. in 2009. The brand is on a mission to nurture happiness from the inside out by making it easy to eat clean, nurturing and delicious food. Fresh salads, grain bowls, toasted sandwiches and brick oven pizzas rule the menu, along with breakfast all-day options, handmade lemonades and specialty desserts. With nearly 30 locations across Colorado, Texas, and Arizona, as well as Denver International Airport and the campus of Notre Dame, Modern Market is growing quickly and has consistently captured a spot on Fast Casual’s “Top 100 Movers & Shakers” list. ## Entities - Franchising.com (publication) - Restaurants (sector) - franchising opportunities (topic) - healthy food options (topic) - Modern Market Eatery (company) - non-traditional venues (topic) - Rob McColgan (person) - university expansion (topic) - campus dining (topic) - Notre Dame University (location) --- Originally reported by Franchising.com (https://www.franchising.com/news/20210629_modern_market_eatery_to_expand_scratchmade_food_concept_across_university_c.html). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/f7e59dad-b790-4207-8433-484f36f60644).