Two years after its introduction, the Memorial Union Food Court is as popular as ever.

Memorial Union Marketing Coordinator Kathy Svec said the food court was unpopular with some students when it was first introduced, but it now has become a successful part of the Memorial Union.

“Initially, there was a sense of shock and amazement,” Svec said. “[There was] a long period of adjustment.”

She said now people not only use the food court as a place to eat, but also as a place to study and meet people.

“We love it that people feel comfortable in the dining room,” Svec said.

She said the food court has become a natural place to eat and hang out for incoming students.

“[Close to] three-fourths of the students have never known anything else,” Svec said.

She said the structure of the old Memorial Union Food Court was changed after officials saw a slowdown in the growth of sales caused by students’ perception of low food quality.

“[The food court] didn’t meet people’s expectations anymore,” Svec said, “We were behind the times … we felt it was the only choice we had.”

Students who remember the old food court have differing opinions on the renovated food court.

Thao Nguyen, junior in French, said he prefers the old food court because the new food court is too practical.

“It looks nice,” Nguyen said, “but it’s kind of sterile … there’s no character.”

Alison Zeller, senior in journalism and mass communication, prefers the new food court.

“I like [the new food court] because it is more modern, and it fits the students’ lifestyles better,” Zeller said.

“It’s just more convenient for students to have,” she said.

Dan Xayaphanh, undecided freshman, said he likes the food court because it gives him an option other than food service.

Svec said the food court’s first-year sales were two and a half times those of the year before and added that business has continued to be good, serving an average of 1,200 to 1,500 people daily.

“All venues seem to have steady patronage,” Svec said.

She said Subway, McDonalds, Panda Express and Chick-Fil-A are the most popular restaurants in the food court.

“The only problem right now is that the seating could be a little bit better,” Svec said.

She said Memorial Union officials plan to expand onto the terrace within the next three years to increase the dining space.