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Fairchild food court gets new flavor

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Larry W. Carpenter
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  The Fairchild Base Exchange has recently added some new dining options for the members of Team Fairchild.

On Sept. 18, an establishment called Dinners Ready opened where the flower shop had previously been. Dinners Ready provides restaurant-quality meals that are designed to freeze and cook at home. The company prepares the meals, so all that has to be done is to swing by the store and pick up the meals on the way home.

Two other additions to the food court area are the new espresso shop and an Asian dining experience. Rockies Espresso opened on Oct. 9 and has already expanded the menu by serving sandwiches.

Across the way, Fusion Teriyaki Express opened up on Oct. 10 and provides a taste of Asian food, something not yet seen at the food court. The Fusion Express provides a variety of foods to include Korean beef bul-gogi, various styles of chicken teriyaki, along with rice and egg rolls.

The new attractions have been meeting or exceeding established expectations, even with the minimal amount of time they've been doing business.

"Dinners Ready has only been here about three weeks and they are meeting their goals, as far as what they were looking for and what we were looking for," said Barbara Kelley Army Air Force Exchange Service service manager. "Fusion Teriyaki is running exactly where we were looking for, maybe a little bit above."

The different venues are generally contracted for five years, and as the contracts expire, management will re-evaluate and see if it's time for a change. Once the contracts expire, AAFES will search to find a business to fill the spot.

According to Mrs. Kelley, the changes have been taken positively by the patrons that frequent the food court. The customers who have tried out the three are generally happy with what they are seeing. The customers are happy with the food and the coffee seems to be a big hit. "That's all I've heard about the coffee shop...the coffee is so good here," said Mrs. Kelley.

"We have received a lot of customer comments, through the internet and in the store," said Barbara Kelley, "We try to listen and change what the customers want us to change; it's all about taking care of them."

Mrs. Kelley feels that it's important to provide the best services available and try and fulfill the needs of the Airmen, the best way they can.

"This base is the Airman's home away from home, so we need to listen to them and try and take care of what they're looking for," said Mrs. Kelley.

The Fairchild AFB Exchange also has plans to add other dining options at the food court in the future, as well as planning to move the Burger King from its current location.

"We are going to be bringing in a name brand fast food concept, Charley's Steakery, and combining the Anthony's and Robin Hood into one concept," said Matthew Beatty, Fairchild AFB Exchange general manager. "We are also looking at moving the Burger King from its current location, closer to the BX/Commissary complex."

The Fairchild AFB Exchange will continue to improve the options available for the members of Team Fairchild to enjoy.